tree climbing at the end of Flat Top

My boys love to play in the shrubs and trees closer to beginning of the trail.  One year there was still some snow there and we had a snow ball fight in the summer.  It was fun.

 Jack, note the duct tape on the pants.  He had three pairs of these pants during 4th grade and by the end all of them had duct tape. I'm sure people thought he only had one pair of pants because they were the only ones he would wear.  I made a deal with him.  He had to throw all three pairs away at the start of the new school year and he could get a new pair.  He didn't like it but that's what we did.

 Sam, hanging like a monkey.

 2 happy kids

David

FLAT TOP Summer of 2011

Mike had that awful hernia surgery this summer and that put a damper on some of our normal adventures but I decided that I was taking the boys to hike Flat Top before school started back up.  It was a BEAUTIFUL day. 

 We all started off pretty good.  Note, all my boys have some camouflage on.  My David and Sam even have homemade camo shirts. 

 Jack had to climb every peak I'd let him and say "Take a picture Mom!"

 Close up of ninja move on top of a peak.

 How far away he really was from me.  I'm so glad no one got hurt climbing all over loose rock.

 Nice Kick!

 David had to climb quite a few peaks too.  Ta Da!

Oops didn't mean to put a picture in with his eyes closed.

Yo JOE!

My boys have always liked GI JOE, thanks to my husband reliving his childhood through his children.  After MIke joined the military I think they started loving it even more.  This past summer they played war scenarios in the back yard and at the park all summer long.  I had to go out there many a time to scold, ground, and patch up my kids.  They love CAMO and BATTLE.  Just ask Jack about "Girl War I".

 This was at the 4th of July parade.  My boys were very disappointed that they didn't throw out candy this year but they sure did love trying on all the real gear of some of the Army guys.

 It's a little heavy. 

 Oh and they got to play in the hummer too.  What more could a boy ask for?

 He's lookin so big even in a hummer.

 David with his head out of the top of the hummer

 Sam playing in th back of it.  Happy kid!

 Jack feeling invinsible.

David holding on for the picture, so heavy!

38

 38, that's the number of boxes of cereal my crazy husband bought.  It was the end of July and we were down to Kashi Shredded Wheat in the cupboard and maybe some Cheerios.  I don't typically buy super sugary cereals.  I have some rules I go by for purchasing cold cereal and I like to cook breakfast a few times during the week.  My guidelines for cold cereal are this- no hydrogenated oils and no High Fructose Corn Syrup.  I like it to contain 3g or more dietary fiber and protein. I had a friend who once said "what do eat? Puffed Wheat?"  Truthfully yes, we do on occasion eat puffed wheat though I'm not sure it meets all my guidelines.  My kids like it with honey drizzled on top.  Needless to say that my guidelines limits the kinds of cereal I buy. 

It was my turn to drive the boys and half the neighborhood to scouts and when I came home this is what I saw on top of my fridge and in my cupboard.  I have never seen so much cereal in one house ever! Mike said he spent about $120.  Crazy man.  He and Sam had a blast though picking what they wanted.  Of course the sugary cereals went the fastest.  We still have a couple boxes left and it's the end of September.  Amazing I know.  My kids and husband were in cold cereal heaven. 

The funny thing is that my kids are asking me to get the cereals I was buying before, like Wheat Chex and Cheerios.  He he.  I love it.  Poor Mike. 

a Favorite snack

The good old Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana

 First you get a banana

 Then you cut it in two unless you are really hungry and don't want to share.

 Then you spread all natural peanut butter on your banana.  I use creamy it spreads better.  I've also been known to place these little guys on craft sticks when I have them around.  Like a popsicle.

 Then comes the good stuff.  Chocolate chips!  I use special dark chocolate chips cause I'm SPECIAL. :)  one tablespoon should do unless you're feeling really chocolaty.

 This is what you get.  mmmmm. It's so good and I think it's good for you.  Yes bananas are high in sugar but it's natural and peanut butter is protein and dark chocolate has antioxidants so this is really really good for you. :)

David really wanted to be in this one.  I submitted my little recipe to a healthy snack contest.  Pretty sure my simple snack didn't win the contest but it's a winner with my family.  Give it a try, you just may like it.