Vacation Ending

We have enjoyed many a home-cooked dinner and dessert these past two weeks.  None of my doing.  Josiah has been a pizza dough making machine.  One night we made individual pizzas with his dough.  The following day, we tried to make calzones.  When Henry, Caroline, and I went out of town, Josiah surprised Todd with pizza dough when he got home from work and they made themselves a big pizza. 

The desserts have been piling up, too.  Peanut butter cookies (Caroline), chocolate chip cookies (Josiah), more peanut butter cookies (Caroline).  At the rate of their production, we're all going to grow in the wrong direction.  But they've done very well.  They told me that when they get older, they want to make everything from scratch.  I remember making that goal for myself....

Who have grown are the baby deer.  One baby has gotten big enough to jump the fence into our backyard to graze with its mother.  The other baby stays on the other side of the fence, so it's been fun to watch them keep an eye on each other.  Our neighbors like to call for the deer and then toss them vegetables.  One day, they must have heard the siren call because they ran around the pond, across our yard, up the driveway to the neighbor's backyard.  

Josiah saw the Fantastic Four movie with his friend Eli on opening weekend.  I gave him enough money and dropped him off with the parting words, Have fun.  I want my change.  At pick up, he quickly explained how there was a meal deal with a special Superman cup.  I got $3 back.  He did enjoy the movie, though.  

I've been trying to finish unpacking the house before school starts.  The boxes and bins left are not exactly the unpacking type.  "Childhood memories"  "Josiah - school work Preschool-7th grade"  Three boxes of picture frames that just don't work for this house.  The pile for Salvation Army grows.  

Caroline has helped with the organizing side of unpacking.  Organization is her gift and I am very grateful.  One day I was out with Josiah for what she thought was too long and to pass the time she cleaned the kitchen, organized the pantry, cleaned another pantry, and organized the laundry room.  With all that, I have no motivation to hurry home!  She cleaned Benson's windows and asked if she could clean the outside of them as well.  Uh, 100% yes.  Benson was so appreciative of his new clean view, that he put his nose right up to the window to see out.  

Last weekend, Henry, Caroline, and I traveled to Staunton.  We are usually morning drivers, but we left Saturday afternoon and the views were especially beautiful.  

We enjoyed Grandma and Grandpa's company.  

We visited their new Buc-ees.  

We weeded a little - we have the same vine weeds here in SC, so it was good practice for when we tackle our own backyard.  

Henry reignited his friendship with Maggie.  

The kids were super excited to finally meet Aunt Claire's dogs, Rocky & Moose.  All we really knew about them was that they were huge.  They did not disappoint.  Moose was more on the big-normal side of things and super sweet.  Rocky was truly huge, super soft, incredibly cute, and a very messy drinker!  

While we were in Virginia, Todd and Josiah tried out a new diner in town.  Chicken and waffles for the win.  When they hire more staff, we shall go back.  When the hostess comes by to take your drink order, and later again to get your food order, it's time to hire more waiters.  

When we arrived back to SC, Josiah greeted us with a homemade Black Forest Cake.  He had made all the components from scratch.  The sponges, the whipped cream, and the cherry filling stuff.  It tasted just like Black Forest cake.  The whipped cream was so, so good.  Days later I found a forgotten container of the extra whipped cream in the refrigerator.  Delightful.  

This summer, we have done a ton of puzzles.  So many.  If they are 500 pieces, we finish them in a day typically.  1000 pieces, 2-3 days.  Henry has a lot of stamina when it comes to puzzles and I enjoy them as well.  Grandma and Grandpa gave Henry a Mars puzzle for his birthday.  It was only 500 pieces, but this puzzle took us a good two weeks to finish.  It was so hard.  We got home from Staunton determined to complete it.  Once finished, I was ready to put it in the donate pile, but Henry wants to hang on to it.  He says he may try it again some day. 

Vacation time is quickly coming to an end.  I start work again tomorrow.  The kids have another week off of school, but if I'm at work, they can work.  They'll be pleasantly surprised with the list of 'house activities' they can complete each day.  I hope I can get out the door before they wake up...