Well, it was another weekend of fun for our household.  And yes, this is a Weekend Recap post, not the normal Take a Trip Tuesday post because HOLIDAY.  Yes, even we bloggers need to take time to enjoy the most current holiday and do all manners of partying and celebrating.  But, not to fear.  We’ll be taking our weekly Tuesday Trip next week, when I’m back on the usual weekly schedule.

Now.  Back to the weekend.  Well, Friday, Maxim and I enjoyed his last day of preschool with his Park Fieldtrip/Playdate.  It was a beautiful morning and perfect for building squirrel traps and exploring the park in typical four and five-year old fashion.  Just look at these graduates of preschool!

Maxim and his little buddies from preschool

Saturday, the boys and I planted some flowers.  They were great little helpers, until it was time to clean up…then they just “had” to go play basketball.  But, I’m glad they helped and they enjoyed planting (because their favorite…dirt…was involved.)  (What boy doesn’t LOVE to have an excuse to play in dirt?)

Enjoying the dirty work

Saturday evening, Hubby and I had a date night.  It’s always a time I love…we catch up on all sorts of stuff and can carry on a conversation without being interrupted fifty times.  That night, I did get to see my first Bean Bag Toss trophy.  I had no idea there were such tough contests around our area.  Kim got 2nd place and she showed off that fancy trophy, along with telling us she won a big pot o’ money…$15.  Awesome!  I may need to sign up for the next Bean Bag competition…except that no matter what I do, I tend to become over-the-top competitive and I will try and take anyone down.  So, maybe I shouldn’t start competing in Bean Bag Toss contests…

On Sunday afternoon, Hubby, the boys, and I went to the 240.  We started a bon fire, set some fishing lines, and roasted a lot of hot dogs.  Nothing screams summer (yes, I realize we are still in the midst of spring, but by Memorial Weekend, I feel like it’s close enough to summer) like roasting weenies over a campfire and making s’mores.  I’m just going to tell you.  I like hot dogs w/ a great bun, some mustard, and LOTS of ketchup.  Which may be why I feel like I was in a hot dog eating contest this weekend.  I consumed more than one.  Maybe 4 or 5.  I hit my hot dog quota for the year in about a 24-hour period.  I know.  It’s a shame.  But when you go and buy packs and packs of hot dogs, jalapeño brats, cheddar brats…what else is one to do?  So, I ate plenty of hot dogs and brats.  And I’m proud of it.

I look a little uncomfortable in this picture below, but I promise.  I had only eaten one hot dog at the time I took this…it’s just the sun making me wrinkle up my brows.

Enjoying a little sunshine at the 240

(I wish I would have taken a selfie at the end of the night, say around 11:00, when we were going home.  Remember the Friends episode with Monica going to Jamaica?  And her hair was a big fuzzy-looking fro?  That’s what I felt like after ten hours in rain, then heat, and lovely Iowa humidity.)

Anyway, Sunday evening, some friends came to the pond and oh, Nate and Maxim were estatic.  At one point, there were nine kids running around in frog-hunting heaven.  Well, until they saw a snake.  Then, they were going on a snake hunt.  Yes, they even used some frogs to try and ‘bait the snake’.  Maxim’s little buddy, Carver, was a little worried about the poor frogs.  I’m gonna go out on a limb and say…give Carver another day or so out at the 240 with us and we’ll make him into a hunter.  Even if it is just hunting snakes.

The evening wasn’t spent just consuming hot dogs and brats.  No.  I was in awe of our friend, Michelle.  Michelle had used my Best Frosting Ever recipe and brought a patriotic cake to share.  I almost cried.  (Someone is actually reading my blog?!  Just kidding.  I know there are 9 of you out there reading it.  And, I want to thank you, sincerely.)  The Best Frosting Ever Recipe  http://http://angelabanae.com/recipe-best-frosting-ever-how-to-become-a-cake-snob-part-2/ was used and not only was I honored, but AMERICA folks.  She had that cake (with all the stars and stripes) decorated like our American flag.  I almost felt like we should all start singing Lee Greenwood’s song…”And I’m proud to be an American!  Where at least I know I’m free.”  It was a beautiful, patriotic moment.  (Not to mention that she nailed it.  Delicious cake and frosting, Michelle.  Delish.)

Michelle displaying her awesome cake baking and decorating skills…way to go!

By the time Monday morning rolled around, I was recovering from all of the brats, cake, chips, and s’mores that had been consumed.  Which may be why I slept in until 9:55.  Friends, I don’t think I’ve slept ten hours like that since the glory days of college.  Then again, with all of the carb-consumption and hot dogs and brats that were eaten, I was probably in a carb-induced coma-like state which allowed my brain to sleep for that long.  But it was a fun weekend and now.  It’s back to work.  Or blogging.  And writing.  Until a hot dog eating contest comes to town.  Then, I may take off work to go show off my skills.