Who Doesn't Love Sweet Corn?

August...it means school, the end of summer, the beginning of a new football season, and the harvesting of sweet corn.  Some of the pictures below have absolutely nothing to do with corn...they're just random ones I thought were fun to post. 

The other day we were at Walmart and they had TONS of toys on sale.  Andy found this neat sand activity where the kids dump sand into various piles or designs in water and when they scoop it back out...it never gets wet...it comes out dry.  Who knows how it works, but the kids thought it was fun!

Ava experimenting with her yellow sand...note to self...make this an outdoors project...it's MESSY!

Science can work in such mysterious ways! 

Now onto corn...we haven't done this in a few years...the crop wasn't good last year.  In August, Alan, Andy's Mom's brother, farms and always plants a section of sweet corn for us to pick.  Since Janet has been a little girl, they have always picked tons of corn, cooked it, cut it off the cob, and then freeze it.  That way you can keep it in your freezer and enjoy the taste of fresh corn all year long!  This year we did over 60 zip lock bags...in the past it's been over 150 bags...just depends on the year!

Out on the farm, Isaiah discovered a little fuzzy friend!

A snapshot of Jody and Andy out in the field

Janet and little Ava...she's right behind her...the corn's just too tall.

Grandma and Ava...Ava insisted that she wear mismatched pajamas to pick corn...who knows why?

After picking corn we headed over to Andy's parents to freeze the corn.  Great Grandpa and Grandma Richardson came too.  Once we were done the kids played and played and played.  This picture is Ava flying a kite...you can kind of see the kite tail.

Running as fast as she can to get that kite in the air

Ava loved this!  The other day she went to a park in town and flew the kite with Andy again.

Isaiah is ALL BOY!  Andy's Dad was helping us fix our headlight.  Once Isaiah saw him working on the car, he was so excited to help.  Gotta love the backwards hat!

Hard at work

Showing Daddy what's going on

What a cutie!

Ava eating one of Grandma's almond bars!  They are to die for!  I think I had at least 4 the other day...they're very addictive!

Miss Harley...the kids love her!

Dan and the kids were racing Hot Wheels down a ramp downstairs.  Dan had it all set up before they got there.

Andy reliving his high school band days with his old trombone.

Ava wanted to try and was even able to make some sound

Isaiah wanted to try blowing in the other end...silly guy!

Taking guitar lessons from Daddy

Isaiah playing with a tool bench set that Andy's parents have at their house.

Grandma, Isaiah, and Grandpa

Ava showing off her jumping skills...she looks so tall in this picture

My Bootles doing coloring, stickers, you name it!  As always, crafts are right up her alley!

Playing catch with Grandma

Isaiah joining in the fun!

I've become a bit obsessed with following teacher blogs this summer.  My favorite blogger, Cara, Carroll, from "First Grade Parade," has a home blog where she posts recipes.  She had this amazing recipe for a Smores bar.  It was so yummy!  I'll have to look up the recipe again and post it next time.  Easy, fast, and delish (as Rachel Ray would say).

My Three Happy's:

1) Were the kids really both asleep at 8:30?  AMAZING!  I forgot what it was like when they actually go to bed on time...trying to establish that bedtime routine for next week.

2) My room is officially ready for school...well, appearance wise...now I just need to "officially plan" the lessons.

3) Getting my hair cut and highlighted...I only do this once a year!  It takes a little over 2 hours...but it's a relaxing "back to school" event for me!