Rachael in the Kitchen

Rachael being her creative self, has discovered the kitchen to be a great workshop. Rae has always been eager to help in the kitchen, especially enjoying the combination of ingredients. She has gotten more responsible and understands what is acceptable in the kitchen, so I have been letting her cook occasional items. This summer's constant refrain was "Can I make a smoothie?". I loaded up on frozen fruit and plain yogurt and our blender got quite a workout. All of the kids enjoyed turns at picking the ingredients and blending them into a chilly concoction. Rachael immensely enjoyed this and was always looking for a new combination to try.

The kitchen has been a real boredom buster for her. Rachael frequently asks to make lunch or snack and now that I am more confident in her skills, I will let her take the lead. Just this week I was trying to sew scout patches and badges on the girls' vests but it was very stop and go because of constant interruptions. Rachael asked to make dinner and suggested nachos. Why not? So with a little help she prepped nachos. It was too early for dinner and she was bubbly with eagerness and kept asking for other things to make. I suggested brownies and she was off. I didn't have to help more then tell her which bottle of oil to use. Start to finish she did it. She was covered in brownie batter, but I figure if you are going to live you might as well be covered in it. The brownies were great for dessert and I managed to get some badges attached.

Pineapple mango smoothie

This interest in cooking could prove to be very helpful.

Yes She has a phone

She got a phone. I mean Emma turned 12.

My little bundle twelve years ago has grown into a great young woman. She needs me less and takes care of herself and even babysits her sisters now, but she also needs me more. She hates it when I tell her what to do but she loves it when I help her understand how and why. Emma needs her space and closes her door but lingers and chats with me long past when she should. I am enjoying her immensely. I have to remember that the way I talk to her is more important than the what sometimes.  But when what she needs to hear is important, I have to find a way to put myself aside so she can hear it. I fail miserably too frequently but Em is willing to let me try again. It is getting harder to stay the biggest influence in her life but I see her looking to me to be just that at least for now. I am blessed to be her Mom. She is AMAZING!

Happy Birthday Emma Bug!

We will see how the whole phone thing goes. So far so good.

Taking a Day

Summer vacation came to an end and school has started for the 2010-2011 school year, but as this change dawned we decided to take a family day. On the last Friday of summer vacation Jim and I each took off of work and headed out to the state park for some time with the girls.

We packed a lunch, Jim and Rachael grabbed walking sticks and we headed for the great outdoors. Prior to lunch we decided cross the swinging bridge and to stick to a walking trail. Bridget was very leery of the cracks between the planks, clutched my hand and the cable railing, and bravely made her way across. The big girls encouraged her and helped distract her from her fear. Our goal was to stay on the path (read clean and dry) before lunch, and despite the river calling very loudly, we did it. We went through a tunnel under the train tracks and Jim found a bouncy log. After each of the girls took a turn on that we hiked back to the picnic tables. They all searched and found walking sticks along the way.

After our lunch we headed up. It was pretty steep for Bridget, but she was really into it and consistently refused any assistance I offered. Now that it was after lunch Emma was ready to get wet. She kept asking to go off the trail to the stream but nothing was safe enough for the whole family. Em had a response to anything we said. I appreciate her optimism in thinking she can convince us to do things her way, but she is 11 and it can be down right disrespectful. This created a tension and emotion in the day that disappointed me but we did all wind up at the waterfall and in the water. The girls and Jim all took off their shoes and waded in the cold water. It was a beautiful location to enjoy God's creation and the cold water felt amazing in the heat. Rachael did wind up falling in and enjoyed it. Megan and Rae played well together on the rocks and Bridget kept up with a little help from Jim and I. I think Emma would have scaled every rock there if she was given time.

We hiked ourselves back down and spent the rest of the day relaxing. It was a great way to end the summer.