What to do when cooling off the cookies

Princess is in her bliss...

she LOVES the kitchen as MUCH as I do..

is it PERFECTLY complete yet?

no ..but 

cooking

and 

Baking

are such a dream in here!

sometimes I like to just GIVE her some space...

she loves to bake

and I don't think she needs ME hovering..

Princess is growing into her own..

and needs to feel like this is OUR Kitchen..

I want to be old an grey putzing about HER kitchen one day

and not get shooo-ed out

so.. I just let her go free in there..

On this particular day

because the boys were here,

and she knows what we have planned for 

after the assembly projects..

She has chosen a quick baking project! 

Pamela's to the rescue...

Because MY blessings have allergies

we use this sort of mix when we aren't making from scratch..

Gluten free!

and instead of REAL beautiful vibrant butter

she is using Earths Balance Red Label

soy free, casein free, gluten free..

ya.. i know ..

WHAT is in it?  

it is wonderful and it works for my lads..

some of us can eat butter

and DO!

but since this is a treat that they WILL love..

we must choose the Earth Balance Red Label

whilst all this is going on

Tante G and me (ha that rhymed!)

get the lads all ready..

Machine Man and C.S. have completed their work

cookies are cooling

and we are OFF on a great adventure! 

General Sherman has brought us deep into the woods...

and now it's time to HIKE! 

HOW Tante G does this is beyond me..

I can only do this move IN a pool..

I am NOT in the shape she is in..

CLEARLY 

The wee hunters are hiking hard.. 

Princess attempting to lead the pack.. 

LOOK!!

Bubbles 

(it's like a tourist attraction around here) 

We all need to touch them

but 

it can be a little freaky..

Princess

seems to be the designated bubble guide

encouraging our cousins on... 

look what I found! 

more berries 

some milk weed... 

a fun guy

oops

i mean

some fungi 

more, 

of a different kind 

sweet, delicate, & pretty 

black berries to be..

soon

(pinch me excited!) 

here they come 

yep all of them..

and by NOW

I am told...

those cookies just HAVE to be cooled off!!!

what a great hike!

COUSIN weekend!!!

we have a LOT of cousins..

and we are SO blessed because of it!

Cousins are SO fun

Cousins are our first BEST friends

and we LOVE having cousins come to 

Blessings Farm!

The cousins came late at night

and the next morning was ...

unbelievably HOT

and...

we don't have central Air at the Farmhouse..

(clear throat)

it was hotter than...

H... E.... double hockey sticks

so we wanted to COOL off! 

The blessings were SO eager to show off their 

FAVORITE swimming hole!

here are our Twins!

They are 5

and they are a BLAST!

When with Buddy

things..

CHANGE..

they are a bit like the 3 Musketeers 

following the leader..

should Buddy even be allowed to BE a leader ?

(giggling)

it's like Porthos leading the way! 

Porthos and Athos... 

just a little fun! 

love this shot!

so careful on the rocks

getting their balance 

on to other things..

Porthos,

Athos

Aramis

water fights

rather than sword fights?

but where is D'Artangnan ?

With the fair Lady..

his Tante G :) 

???

REALLY?

C.S. jumping off the cliff 

not once..

but twice..

thank Heavens Princess has 

the sense not  to do it..

ok..

scrub THAT!

LOOK at her go! 

Thank you Tante for bringing the boys!

we are having so much FUN! 

and we are off!

everyone's water overload has gotten them

HUNGRY! 

see the enthusiasm? 

what is for supper???

hmmm