Company and Cooking

Last week was an especially busy one for us in the hospitality department. We invited many people whose dad's were away on business, or had moved to another city and were waiting for their house to sell, or who wanted to come over because we had a pool (all scenarios which we are all too familiar with). One other person wanted to come to ask homeschool questions, and have me show them around Florida Virtual School's website. While on the computer with her, Peter climbed into my lap, but couldn't get comfortable, so I put him down and told him to go lay down and I would be right there to read him a book. When we turned around exactly 1 minute later, this is what we saw on the rug behind us.
Every store has fresh peaches lining the produce department now, and N. is in the cooking mode. Here, he was de-pitting and peeling peaches in preparation of a new peach cobbler recipe.
It's supposed to be peach crisp with maple cream sauce (which was really tasty) but it didn't get real crunchy, and we decided for the extra amount of work, we really like our simple recipe from Mimi. What fresh produce are YOU enjoying?

She's home!

The littles made confetti to welcome K. home-they were so excited to see her. It was the longest she had ever been away.
H. made a special dessert, Chocolate trifle (with a little bit of help from Mom) to celebrate her homecoming. We love having a big family.

Poolside reading

O. got her hair trimmed too, I forgot to mention the other day because I didn't have a picture. She made sure I had one today :) (note to self: get closet doors for their room before the next self-picture taking session).
Yesterday I did something I haven't done since we moved here 3 years ago. I sat by the pool and read while the kids swam. P. was very content to play w/kitchen stuff in his little pool, while the bigs had a rousing game of "let's-see-how-long-we-can-keep-the-beach-ball-in-the-air-without-it-hitting-the-water" (one of my favorite games). I browsed briefly through the Plow and Hearth catalog that came in the mail, even though we don't utilize a plow or a hearth, and I read another chapter of "To Kill a Mockingbird." Apparently considered classic high school reading, I had never even heard of it until I started homeschooling. It's recommended for K. to read this year so I thought I would read it first.

off to visit with the 1st of our group of guest swimmers today. stay cool!

mid July miscellany

Self-potrait of H's new haircut (she got about 6" off). Doesn't it look cute?
Curious Silly George. He really does act like him sometimes. We caught him pulling out the large drawers in the kitchen last night, and using them like stairs to climb onto the counter and start rearranging the spices. He was having a grand time.
We're currently on a Beatrix Potter kick after watching "Miss Potter." This book (which M. has asked to be read to him more than once a day for the past week) is called, "My Dear Noel: The Story of a Letter from Beatrix Potter," and tells the story of the origin of the Tale of Peter Rabbit. I had forgotten what delightful stories these are for the young ones. M. enjoys reminding P. when he gets in trouble (like for using drawers as step stools to stand on counters and get in forbidden cabinets), "Petah--mom said don't go in Mr. McGregor's garden!" and then tells him he has to go to bed with tea instead of getting blackberries for supper. Of course P. doesn't understand what any of that has to do with climbing, but I think it's an incredibly intelligent transfer of thought for a 4 year old.
This is the kid who flies under the radar too often, and doesn't get his picture posted often enough. Here, he was filling ice cube trays, and sticking army men in them so he could launch them into the pool with his slingshot after they were frozen. The water temp is hovering around 86*, so they didn't stay frozen long. But it was fun retrieving them!

Horses and the GOP

This picture was taken last fall. Our neighbor, and friend, Ann-Fraser brought her horse over for the kids to each get a turn riding. P. sure didn't know what to think. Doesn't K. look long? She's at camp in San Antonio this week, say a prayer if you think of it.
This was back in March, what our two potential politicians looked like as they went to "work" each day. N. has definately passed H. in the height department since then.

The Big Boy Bed

First, P learned how to climb out of his crib. We switched him to the pack-n-play. That worked for a month, until we went to NC. Tonight, he decided that if he could climb out of it at cousins, why not at home? Hence, we've decided to do the big boy bed ceremony. When I took the first picture, I asked, "are you sleeping?" which is why he's covering his eyes, and trying not to smile.
But, he couldn't contain his excitement (until he tried to stand up real fast and hit his head) and has since been trying to hang by the wooden cross beams. It may be a long night....

N. is off to the ortho. to see if he's ready for braces. We're going to try and put it on hold until one of the girls gets theirs off. K. goes for a recheck. Happy Monday!

H, P and Amanda and Sierra

The Dad was throwing balls to the kids, and they would jump in over the deep end, trying to time their jumps just right (except the baby who really just wanted to see himself in the camera).

O and Alyson

It's July!

We've gone much too long without posting, our apologies. This is what we're doing today---church, friends over to swim, and a parent meeting for the high school missions trip coming up Friday. What are YOU up to today?

Sweet Baby

We had fun at the park today. It was nap time, and I enjoyed a rare moment of cuddling. Couldn't you just sop him up with a biscuit?

Now and then

A special Flashback Friday sequence. Do you think they look much different? They don't act much different at all. Notice in the "then" picture, N. is the only one wearing shoes. It wasn't any different today. The girls are all wearing no shoes, but N. decided (yes, at 13 years old) that he didn't want to have his shoes off for the pic. What's up with that?

Original Art

Can you guess what it is? I'll give you a hint. It's a famous monument given to America by France. Yep-the Statue of Liberty as seen from inside a computer. We finally got rid of our first computer in our city's "cash for trash" program (they gave us $5 off our ridiculous electric bill). However, Dad Ru, being the conservative that he is, didn't want the memory going down with it (you never know who will go dumpster diving in the city dump. ew.) So, he took the memory part out, and told the kids to have at it. They had a great time. I think in all, it was smashed into about a bijillion pieces, and what was left, O. made into this masterpiece using hot glue. Who told her she could get old enough to use a hot glue gun by herself? Pretty inspirational anyway. Maybe she and her like-aged cousins could open an art school. Doesn't that sound like Lea and Sar would enjoy?

Ru cousins

Here's a picture of Stefan, Gloria's youngest. Yes, he's in Iraq (how did he get that old that fast?) If you think of it, pray for him. He's not walking with the Lord at this time, but knows Who is in charge. I wonder if his sleeping roomate knew this picture was being taken? They are not allowed to take pic's outside. At least not where he is at this time.

flashback friday

For some reason, I can't upload the flashback photos sent by you and Jerry, Mom. So, here's one K. had uploaded to her MySpace. We're off to teach co-op at the park this morning until this afternoon, and then I'll spend more time trying to figure out how to post the other pic's.

Flashback Friday

Okay, so the color gives it away--wish there was a chance of this happening here this winter.

Our apologies for being AWOL the past week - time is flying by too fast.

The story behind this picture, if you don't remember, is the Dad was having so much fun pulling her down the driveway in this plastic laundry basket until she started to cry. I kept saying, "I think there's something wrong, she sounds hurt." But the Dad insisted she was fine. When he finally tired and brought her in, we noticed that there was a hole in the bottom of the basket, and her poor little tusshie was cold and wet. She loves that story now. Wait until she's engaged.....oh, the stories we'll have to tell...........but what a great smile, eh?

World Geography

This week's assignment for the two taking world geography through Florida Virtual School was to pick a European country, and make a graph of its particulars, and write an imaginary 5 day itinerary. Once they had submitted that, they had to pick a food indigenous to their country, find a recipe, shop for the ingredients, and cook the food for their family. This class has been tough for all of us. Full of "busy work" and assignments that don't match whats being studied, and miscommunication between the teachers and what's expected of their students. Throw in some inappropriate emails from unknown classmates, and we're wondering if this is a path worth taking, even if it is free. However, since H. chose Italy, she made stromboli for lunch, and since N. chose France, we had crepes with strawberry and whipped cream for dessert. At least something has come out of it!

Flashback Friday-cousins!

It's not flashing back too far to see this pictures. It's just been a long day, and I don't want to take the time to try to download other pictures, and we can't figure out how to post the pictures Jerry sent us (I haven't asked K. the computer guru yet, though).

Still hot and steamy in Florida-----

H/cousins/Dentist

These pictures of H. were taken on the way to Atlanta (note the ever-present construction on 75) and the one of her and NC cousin #2 was taken at Underground Atlanta.




















These two glamor girls are just too hip to beat, don't you think?


The jury is still out on whether M. was enjoying the dentist, or despising it. The only thing that got him to open his mouth was when big sister, K. told him if he didn't open up, N. was going to beat him to be finished. Now you know he can't let a bigger sibling beat him!

Flashback Friday

Almost forgot to post a flashback picture--but reminiscing is so much fun. If you have a picture of a member of your family that you'd like us to post, email it to us and we'll put it up on the next Friday. Also, pray for Aunt Gail today, she's in our thoughts.

Seen in our backyard

The past 3 days this bird has been hanging out. First, we found him here on the fence post while we were playing on the back porch (with the screen doors open). Even Riley was out there, and he never noticed. Then, he was in a tree, watching the little birds at our birdfeeder. Today he was on a branch above the trampoline watching as the kids and their friends played. His wing span is LARGE and he has an eeriness about him. Like he's trying to decide whether these children are light enough for him to carry away, or it would be worth his while to swoop down and cause a fuss. We'll keep our distance, but we're sure glad we have the binoculars (click on the picture to enlarge). Can anyone guess for sure what type of bird it is?

Pretty girl

Apparently, my attempt at a blog is highlighting my supposed favoritism in parenting. Those children whose picture has not yet been posted have taken note. (as an aside: when you have 7 children, do you have 1 middle child, or 5?) from a middle child perspective, I'll take 5. You get the best of all worlds.

Football

Both boys are 1-1 for the season. This past weekend was the rough one. These pic's were taken during the first game, which was the win. We are looking forward to football this weekend, when we're supposed to have a "cool spell" meaning, highs in the low 80's and low's in the mid 60's. Brrr.... I'm getting chilly just thinking about it (note backsliding into sarcasm).

flashback friday

Flashback Friday
We've decided that every Friday we'll try to post an old photo of someone in the Ru fam and you try to guess who it is and what year it was. Any guesses on this one? What an ADORABLE little girl.....

apples

A friend has a home in Dayton, TN and travels back and forth quite often. This time of year, she brings back apples for whomever wants them. We got a box, and look what we found! A baby boy who loves apples. He loved the box even more. So far, we've made 8 quarts of applesauce and an apple pie (actually N. made the sauce, K. made the pie).














Thanks for my birthday presents, Grandma and Grandpa. I loved it all! (and in true Rufam dog tradition, he put the pieces on the floor, and *then* ate them). For some reason, the dogs, including the current one, take a huge mouth full out of the bowl, put it all on the floor and eat it from there bit by bit.

IKEA

P. got a few presents, but none of them were wrapped. This is a favorite of almost everyone--a lighthouse shape sorter/stacker. It was $3.99. How could we pass up a lighthouse toy made of solid wood for that price?


The highlight of our trip home was stopping at IKEA. Where else can you get a kid's meal of Swedish meatballs, french fries and drink for $1.99? We also found the solution to our seating dilemma--this bench. It's made of solid birch, and was easily put together by K. with the twist of 6 screws. It can seat 3 adults comfortably, and so far 4 kids. It's amazing how it has a calming affect because it makes our cramped eating quarters feel less crowded.

Happy 1st Birthday!!

Although his birthday was actually 2 days ago, he doesn't mind the delay in celebrating. He couldn't WAIT to get his hands on that cake. He was 21lbs. and 30" tall at his well child check, and we delayed getting his regularly scheduled shots because of the possibility of chicken pox showing up in the next week (thanks to playing with friends who are sharing it in their family).

Happy Birthday, P. Here's to many, many more years~ You are loved.

Some of the kids enjoying the fountain at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta. We were thrilled to stay in a hotel that was only 2 blocks from the park, so we took advantage of it, and walked there both mornings. The weather was beautiful!

The kids and cousins sitting with a very cool polar bear inside the World of Coke. Basically, it's a museum that is an overpriced advertisement that you pay for yourself for a legally addictive stimulant, in over 40 different languages (and flavors). We say America rocks, and Italy, something is wrong with your taste buds!

This picture was just too pathetic not to include. The bigs were riding the Venom ride behind us, and M. was riding the airplanes with his Dad. P. was not big enough to do either, but had had enough of his stroller. After all, those are for babies, and today was his 364th day of life. He even stuck his foot in between the rails at one point, while simultaneously looking back at Mom to see if she was looking. I sense an adventurous 365 days (at least!) ahead.

Dinner tonight was fettucine alfredo with chicken and broccoli. Do you think P. enjoyed it? Tomorrow we leave for Atlanta to meet NC cousins. We'll try to take some good pic's while we're there, including some of O. with her pierced ears. I don't think you've seen them yet.