Breaking out!

After another really hot, mosquito-filled summer, it is SO good to be outside again.  The mosquitoes are still hanging around so Vivien and Dennis can't stay outside for long.  For some reason, they don't like Amity and me. 

Vivien is just starting to try out the tricycle.  She has trouble making the pedals work consistently but does great on the little slope down our sidewalk.

It is fun to see Amity become a little more daring.  She likes riding down "the hill" (quite an exaggeration!) but she does pick up some speed.  Dennis still working with her on learning to use the pedal break instead of her dropping her feet.  I don't think I was ever a fan of the pedal brake either and I'm sure I had the bruises to show for it!

 

State Fair of Texas 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uncle Brent's Beauty Shop

Last week, we were so happy for the chance to host Uncle Brent for dinner with GG and KK while he was in town for a conference.  He got to experience "beauty shop" at its finest with the Grover Girls.
 

Apparently, what they say is true about Dallas girls not believing in "less is more"!
 

 

Once the hair had been fixed, it was time for dress up.  Notice the boots!

 

This was the message that Amity wrote.  We could hear her in the other room really working hard at saying the sounds of the words.  It says something like: "Dear Uncle Brent, I love you.  For Griffin and Wyatt."
 

Kind of corny!

Love is...sharing your corny dog with your sister!
 

Today was Picture Day at Chapel School and Amity's class made corny dogs in Cooking.  I got to taste a bite they had reserved for the moms and they were DELICIOUS!  I can't wait for my annual Fletcher's Corny Dog at the State Fair.  Vivien loves Cooking Days too because she always wants a bite of Amity's concoctions.  At first, Amity didn't want to share but then she was very generous in taking turns with her sister.  Seriously yummy!  We might have to try this recipe at home!


Chapel School Corn Dog Recipe

• 1 quart oil for deep frying
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons veggie oil
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 pounds hot dogs (that’s lots of dogs so make as many or as few as you like)
• wooden sticks (go to Starbucks and pick up some stirring sticks)

Directions

1.     Heat oil in a deep fryer to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C).

2.     In a large bowl, stir together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir. Add to the mixture oil, egg, buttermilk, and baking soda. Mix until everything is smooth and well blended.

3.     Insert hot dogs in wooden sticks.  Pat the hot dogs in flour so that the batter will stick.  Shake off excess flour.  Dip the hot dogs in the batter generously and place into hot oil. Deep fry a few at a time in the hot oil until they are as brown as you like them. Rotate for even browning.  (Note: make sure the oil is not too hot or the dog will brown too fast and not cook the batter on the inside) Drain on paper towels.

Amity at Amitea

Emily texted me earlier this summer that we had to visit a new tea room that was opening in Denton.  When the girls got back from GG and KK's, we needed to head up to Denton for an afternoon of meetings at the Rodens.  We decided to go a little early to enjoy a tea party.  When we walked in, I told them that we had come all the way from Dallas because we have our very own Amity.  The owner came out and treated the girls to their very own teaccinos which were super-yummy and I got a tea spritzer.  Amity and I ended up trading drinks.  So much fun and we loved the puzzle floors!  We can't wait to go back!
 

 

 

Room Time

While the girls were at GG and KK camp last month, I took the opportunity to rift through some of their toys and dress up clothes.  I still want to add more pictures and their names or initials to the walls on each side of the window but I am still deciding what that will look like.