Just Beat It

Have I mentioned its been hot? 

It has been hot.  Really hot.  Pretty sure I mentioned that before. 

Sam knows exactly what to do to beat this heat.   

 

Oh, how I love him. 

Seven

July 18 is the big birthday.  Seven.  The age of reason.  The age that sends your parents into a pit of despair when they realize how old that makes them.  You just keep on changing and growing.  Stop that! 

You devour chapter books like they're going out of style. 


You build Legos with your brother and save the creations until every piece is in use.  


You collect things in your room, and on your walls, that make you a pack-rat kind of kid.


You could draw pictures and do crafts all day.  


You still love to dress in costumes and dance around the living room.


You love to babysit your little brother when Mommy needs to leave the room.   


You want to be a horse trainer and a scientist "like Daddy" when you grow up.  


You know more words to praise music blasting on the radio than either of your parents.


You report that your bedtime snuggles with Mom or Dad is your favorite time.  


You could eat macaroni and cheese everyday if it were an option.  


You ask for asparagus as a before bed snack, but only after you've had a yogurt parfait.


You can be very serious, very emotional and very crazy - usually all within the same minute.



You've made it through the 1st grade and your teacher thought you were pretty great. 
You've joined 4-H, started playing the violin and participated in 2 choirs.  
You've fallen in love with goats. 
You've lost 6 teeth and #7 is pretty loose.  
You've had a big year.  

This birthday has been eventful, even before your actual birth day.  You brought four girlfriends to see Cars 2 and then out for ice cream.  You reported that it was "the best day EVER!".  It was a really fun time seeing all those cute smiles- and a perfect activity for a 108 degree day.  

Build-A-Bear has been on your radar for about a year.  You were so thrilled when we told you we could go there for the first time.  You made quick decisions about which bear and what outfit you wanted.  I love that quality about you.  "Ellen" was created and dressed in a wedding gown.  You chose her name, not knowing that you used your namesakes full name.  Perfect. 

The 45 minute drive to town wouldn't be complete without a birthday meal at your favorite place- Freddy's - home of the famous steakburger, french fries and custard. Who knew that you would meet Freddy himself?  He made sure that you were serenaded by a very talented employee while you ate your birthday ice cream cone. You asked him if you could take his picture. He even wrote you a special note. What great memories.

Your Mom and Dad love you like crazy.  You drive us crazy sometimes because you are so smart, independent and strong willed.  But that is what family is for.  And just imagine - in another 7 years, you'll be 14.  Then we will all be really crazy.  Now stop growing up so fast!  

We love you! 

P.S.  Thanks for letting these two cuties come along for the ride.  They sure do love you.  It was Owen's idea to pick out a birthday present for you at the store and he told everyone he saw that it was his sister's birthday.  He really wanted to make you happy, even though he drives you crazy sometimes too.   

Priorities

I've been too busy to blog.  I've been making ice cream.  Lots of ice cream. 

You see, it's been hot.  Really hot.  So since we can't go outside for more than .23 seconds to fill the animals water containers, I've been making ice cream.  It just happens to taste really good on a really hot day. 

The truth of the matter is that we have an excess of goat milk these days.  We sold our sweet boys that were born in the spring and now we milk almost one gallon per day.  This is slightly excessive for our family without teenagers.   I'm anxiously awaiting my cheese making supplies in the mail.  Until then, I will make ice cream. 

And did you know that it is illegal to advertise that you are selling milk other than a sign at the end of your driveway?  No one drives by our driveway.  Bummer. 

So I start with a big pot of milk....(FYI - do not fill it this full.  BAD idea.)


And then you crack some of these.....

That's alot of yolks.....so mix those....

And don't forget to add some of these nummy things and mix it all up.....



And then you get to eat this......

Just in case you are concerned, I am very busy with things other than making ice cream.  Like chasing after the kiddos and washing the dog after she swam in the septic lagoon and planning our home school year and visiting with friends and organizing the house and doing several loads of laundry per day and watering garden that is nearly completely dead in the heat and so on.