iPhone Pics and the Random

I take a lot of pictures with my iPhone.  It is SO handy, even if the quality of the photos isn't all that.  Mostly I take pictures of my kids, but often I take pictures of random things too.  Here are a few from this week (I played with the photos a bit using an app called Camera Plus):

Asher was promised that if he swam across of the width of the pool this summer, we would take him out for ice cream.  Well, he did it!  Hence, the DQ ice-cream cone and BIG smile.

Toby enjoyed a cone too, of course!  He deserved it just as much for passing every aspect of his swim lessons this summer, learning difficult strokes and really improving his swimming all around.  His sessions were quite a workout!

The boys put this bandana on Cora and we all thought it was cute.  She looks like a cross between an aerobic instructor from the 80s and a pirate.  Argh!  (She cut her toe when playing with the sliding closet doors in her room.  I had to bandage her toe to keep it from bleeding every time she bumped it in to things.)

These are the jars I am saving up for this project.  Debbie is coming over tomorrow so we can have a craft day!  Can't wait!  It is our goal to try to get together to craft once a month.

To make my lunch a little more appetizing I took the leftovers of the kids' mac n' cheese, added  frozen peas and fresh cherry tomatoes and basil from the garden.  Pretty good (...for mac n' cheese, anyway)!

Cora and I enjoy sitting on the front stoop together.  It is shady, a nice breeze travels through, and we can watch for butterflies and enjoy the fresh air.  Not sure how the plants by our front entry became such a lush jungle, but I kind of like it!

This footprint was left on the stoop by the painters before we moved in to our house a year and a half ago.  It has been on my to-do list forever to remove it.  I even bought the right stuff at the store.  When will I ever get to it?  Nobody knows....

Linking this post to InstaFriday at Life Rearranged.  :)

And then he was FIVE...

What a fun day we had celebrarting Asher's fifth birthday! The night before the big day, Tim had taped balloons all around Asher's bunk so he could "see" his birthday when he woke up. That was followed with donuts for breakfast. Although unusual, the boys didn't think much of it when we suggested going outside to ride bikes right after breakfast. Asher quickly climbed on his too small, hand-me-down bike and was getting ready to ride when we pointed out to him that it really was WAY TO SMALL for a five-year-old. That's when Tim opened the trunk of the car and pulled out a brand-spanking-new bicycle. Asher was pretty much speechless.

The fun continued later when Asher opened his gift from Toby, which was definitely one of those times when the gift giver had himself in mind when shopping. He bought Asher super soakers and the next activity quickly turned in to a water fight with daddy. 

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That afternoon we had a small party with neighborhood friends at a local soccer center.  They provided a "coach" to do soccer activities with the kids.  It was a hot day, so the kids' energy faded quickly, but they had a great time and were definitely excited about the refreshments. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASHER!

Little sister enjoyed the party too.

Cora featuring a romper Auntie Debbie bought for her and hand-me-down shoes from cousin Bella.