Happy 4th of July! Catching up here...Many blessings

Happy 4th All!!
It been to long, to say the least, it has been hectic around here since the last posting.  I woke up this morning, enjoying the sun rise with a cup of hot coffee while the pups wandered about the yard, my quiet before the children wake....and I thank God for my life. Through good times, bad times, hard times, I have so many blessings to be thankful for.  We've been going through our struggles lately but just as the morning sun rises each day, I know there are amazing blessings tucked in between the difficult times of every day I get to be with my amazing children, husband, family in this life.

Review since our last day of school post...We have been busy:

A birthday for our daughter in San Diego with a wonderful trip to the Wild Animal Park, visit to the ocean, trip to the mall, playing at the park and visiting with family and friends then of course the birthday celebration!

Art Fun:
Painting Rocks into animals...

Making their own 4th of July t-shirts! They did a great job!

We've also had fun making home made playdough, sewing, baking and growing crystals!

And then we've played a lot! Park days, trips to the river for water fun, spraypark at the playground...oh and inside we've had 'sumo' wars stuffing pillows under our shirts, board game fun, lots of reading and camping out inside.

Two kids, two dogs in a home made tent = trouble! But also = tons of FUN!

Weekly Library trips for books and movies and books on CD....this is what we came back this week..

What our son is reading: We found these great books to read 'together' to keep his motivation and reading skills going strong- he loves to have us read with him!

 Our daughter continues to read American Girl and just got into the Mystery series.

 As for me, the craft book is for my daughter and I, the 'Rurally Screwed' is for fun..its GREAT so far...true story of 'My Life off the Grid with the Cowboy I Love'...and the puppy/dog books? Oh boy...yes we ended up with a puppy, well a 4 1/2 month old pup boy. Is he here to stay? We don't know yet!

Puppy time! Swiss Mountain Dog, Beagle, Sharpei is what we are told, but cute, sweet and playful is what he is no matter what mixture is in there! And that makes 3 pups in this family right now!

 Pup with our Swissy, Sadie girl.

 Our jack russell loves to perch on the back of the couch...he thought he would give it a go!

Enjoying toys on the doggie bed.

To come....Today is 4th of July...husband works till 3pm, me and the kiddo's have plans to enjoy each other and play some board games, work on some festive crafts, clean up the house a bit for daddy then when we gets home have a bbq with Grandpa and go enjoy fireworks tonight. A lazy, fun family 4th!