We took Missy Blue with us when we were looking at refrigerators (see previous post) . I find it amusing shopping with her as she stops to look at anything PINK. That is her favorite color and she only refers to it as "____'s color" and does not say "pink". It is kind of funny because her brothers each have a favorite color and Missy will only refer to the color by that boy's name also. For instance red is "George's (his real name obviously) color".
So, we were looking at TV's and low and behold there is a princess TV that is bright pink with a crown and has a matching remote. Missy was so excited and of course immediately she said, "that's mine!". She also picked out clothes only in pink, a pink backpack that was, "mine", stopped to sit in a pink little chair and found other numerous pink items. I am so enjoying my little girly-girl who adores the color PINK! (And also seems to enjoy shopping!)
For the past few years we have talked about purchasing a new refrigerator. Ours came with the house and while it still works decently we do have occasional problems. Every couple of months it will suddenly freeze everything on the top shelf, despite the settings. The bar on the door to hold the condiments has been glued on more than I can recall. Last week after I opened the door to have the condiments fall to the ground and another day found the corn on the cob frozen, I said, "maybe we should look into a new fridge". The reason we haven't before is that I have yet to find one that has a large enough produce drawer to hold all that we go through and keep it fresh.
So, we began doing a little research and found one to meet our needs. Sears had them on sale this past week and then I became "friends" with the salesman so we could attend the "Friends and Family" sale and receive an additional 10% off. We ended up with a side-by-side whirlpool with features that we like such an ice-bucket in the freezer door to leave more shelf space. It also has a "fresh-n-ready" bin to keep fresh washed fruits and veggies ready for a quick snack. We picked it up yesterday and at the moment our kitchen has two refrigerators until I get the chance to empty the old one out. That will then go to our garage for further storage space. As soon as everything is setup I will post a picture. Today everyone is quite excited to have cold water and crushed ice at the touch of a button.
Last week Friday John took a day of vacation and we surprised the kids with a day trip.The drive there (a little over an hour) got a bit long as there were never-ending comments of "Where are we going?" "Why can't you tell us?" "How long yet?" We started to think maybe a surprise wasn't the best choice.
Our excursion began with a visit to a small zoo in the area which was nice, although they didn't have any zebras or elephants which were the most requested animals for our crew. We also enjoyed a picnic lunch and then headed to an amusement park where rides are only 25 cents a piece! That is a deal!!!
We had a great time and the children were all excited about this surprise. After a short train ride around the grounds I looked at storm clouds rolling in and kept my eye on them. John decided to take George and Tank on the Scrambler while I had the others headed on a little helicopter ride. As I stood in line and watched the Scrambler startup a big gust of wind picked up and it began to drizzle. We headed for cover and just in time as a downpour began. From our dry spot we watched as the Scrambler kept on spinning and ended up being the only ride in the park still moving. There was John trying to shield the boys from the pelting rain and as they finally got off ran for cover. They were soaked! John has now renamed the Scrambler the "Washing Machine - Rinse Cycle". Thankfully the rain didn't last too long and it caused the park to empty out, although we needed to wait while they dried off the rides. We were able to enjoy a little more time and hope to go back again before the season is over.
My husband raced two weeks ago a little over an hour away from here which was nice as friends and family were able to come and cheer him on. He had two great races again and had another amazing finish in the second race as he came in second after having a flat tire for at least four laps. He is having a great season and is in first for points in his class! He has been on the podium 8 times which is more than anyone (even the trucks) in the series this year! Looking forward to seeing what the end of the season will bring. For those of you who are interested in my husband's racing you can always check for updates on his website which is linked on my sidebar - Mason Motorsports.
Those of you who have read my blog for awhile know that every summer the boys and I work 3 hours a week at the organic farm down the road in exchange for a box of produce. This summer has been no different except for the fact that I decided to bring the whole crew with me. The older boys are the experienced ones now. Tank is thrilled to be working this year as in the past he has had to stay home with Grandma, or a babysitter. Even Missy Blue has tried her hand at helping, although she mainly plays in the sand pile or on the trampoline. Baby Boy hangs out on my back and typically takes a nap.
I am so thankful for this opportunity and also for the eagerness my children have in working, for the most part. Our jobs have included making bunches of green onions, bagging and weighing salad mix or green beans and of course boxing, which is where all of the produce is packed to ready boxes for delivery. Boxing is the favorite job to do and lately I have allowed the children to play first while I work and then they help with the boxing, which can take at least two hours. It is too much for me to stay until the end and the little ones need naps so I head home. The four boys stay and help out and from what I am always told, they are really a help. They are also an extremely messy lot when they are finished!
Missy Blue helping to bag lettuce. She only did a couple of bags and then she would take our completed bags and put them in a crate, until she decided it might be more fun to go outside and play.
On Sunday, George turned NINE! Another year has passed us by and as always I am amazed at the many ways a child will "grow-up" in only one year! Unfortunately, he has entered the "embarrassed-by-affection" stage. (At least in public).
George on his first birthday. Baby Boy looks so much like him!
I probably say this every year but it is always true in that George is a huge help to me! He is very responsible in helping with the little ones. His sister adores him and loves to get piggy-back rides from him. He also helps with Baby Boy in any way that he can. While he is only 9 he watches out for his younger siblings while working on the farm and at the races or just in playing outside. One of George's favorite things to do is drive our golf cart around the yard and he is quite good at it. He enjoys building with legos which is one thing he really wanted for his birthday.
This summer George has wanted to earn extra money to save for a remote control truck and so he has been cutting grass for Opa (his great-grandpa) each week and others when needed. From what I hear, he does a good job.
While George has struggled with reading due to being mildly dyslexic, he perseveres and his tutor has repeatedly said that she has never had a student that works as hard and does as well as George. We are so proud of him!
I still love George's freckles, despite the fact that he doesn't!
This year we were at the races and so "officially" celebrated George's birthday last night. I love tradition and try to create birthday traditions for the children. George is all for that and reminded me on Saturday night to make sure he woke to streamers in his doorway as always. I have made a reusable one with ribbons tied to rope which makes it easy for me and fun to walk through a doorway of ribbons. He chose his breakfast of caramel rolls (not something I make often as they are not healthy in the least). For his birthday meal he selected: corn on the cob, fruit salad, his favorite pasta salad (w/cheese, peppers, radishes) and beets. Yes I did say "beets"! (My craving when pregnant last summer). This boy takes after me in many ways. For the main course we had grilled chicken wrap sandwiches.
Birthday ribbons in the doorway is a birthday tradition.
George wanted an off-road race track cake this year modeled after the track we were at this past weekend. I am getting a bit tired of decorating grass and dirt type cakes but alas, I have a bunch of boys here. It was yummy though! George's favorite is chocolate mint which of course is my favorite also.
You can't tell very well but there are jumps on the cake and his Daddy's race car is taking the checkered flag. I let George help out with decorating this one.
Happy Birthday to my firstborn! You are growing into a special young man. I know God has great things in store for you.
If you are interested, click HERE to read about George's birth story.
It is the end of July already, can you believe it?! I was feeling a little overwhelmed with that thought today. Summer is always busy for us being the racing season and at times I feel like it is just passing me by. Racing is a fun thing to do as a family, but it is a lot of work. We are headed to a race this weekend and thankfully this one is only 40 minutes away! We still are staying over one night in the motorhome as John is racing Friday night at 9:30 p.m. and by the time he finishes that would be way too late to drive home. I am wondering if the children will all stay awake to even watch him.
I never did update on the last race which was two weeks ago in Bark River, MI. We really like the area and especially like the Bible Church we attend when visiting. They are always so welcoming and ask how racing is going, etc. My parents were able to come and cheer John on and it is always nice to add to our fan club. In the first race he was in second place when he lost 2nd gear (okay, I know it isn't good but am clueless as to what it really means but maybe some of you know what I am talking about). However, he was still able to keep the competition going and was holding for third place when the two in the lead got in a tangle and took each other out in the last lap and John crossed the finish in FIRST!!! That was so exciting!
John was not able to fix his transmission for Sunday's race but ran without 2nd gear. He was not expecting to be on the podium at all but found that during the race he was not only able to keep up with the lead pack but also gain on them. It was an amazing race that we were on the edge of our seats for and John finished in FIRST again!!! It turns out that it was a miracle that he won both days as when the transmission was taken apart it fell apart and it should not have even worked at all. That is pretty amazing and I know that God was watching over John every step of the way.
So the past two weeks John has been putting in a new transmission and shifter in the midst of every day life. Kind of crazy around here. Never a dull moment, although I would really enjoy one right now.
Here is John's fan club minus his Mom who is taking the picture and his Dad who is a spotter for the race. He stands past the railing on a platform right in line with where we are seated (can't see him here).
Missy Blue helping to bag lettuce. She only did a couple of bags and then she would take our completed bags and put them in a crate, until she decided it might be more fun to go outside and play.
George on his first birthday. Baby Boy looks so much like him!
I still love George's freckles, despite the fact that he doesn't!
Birthday ribbons in the doorway is a birthday tradition.
It was yummy though! George's favorite is chocolate mint which of course is my favorite also. 
You can't tell very well but there are jumps on the cake and his Daddy's race car is taking the checkered flag. I let George help out with decorating this one.
Here is John's fan club minus his Mom who is taking the picture and his Dad who is a spotter for the race. He stands past the railing on a platform right in line with where we are seated (can't see him here).