Soccer Camp - Part Deux

My sweet friend Robyn sent me some pictures she took at the soccer camp the Little Halls attended a couple weeks ago. I have to share. Because my children are just that cute. And because I promised I would post more.

Even his peeps are impressed with his skills.

Reelin it back in

Arm up to protect against the steal. Standard youngest brother move.

Boom.

My two fit in well with this motley crew.

First Father's Day

Father's Day this year was unlike any of the previous 10 we have celebrated in the Hall house. This was middle man's first time to celebrate having a father. We didn't expect him at 6 years old to appreciate the significance, but we trust that one day he will.

As I watched him at VBS tonight, I soaked in the joy of his delight in the crafts and singing. He is experiencing a Heavenly Father for the first time. Right now, it's mosaic tile crosses and praise music. For a 6 year old, that's simply a fun time. One day, he will understand the significance of his Father's love - a love that chose him to be our son and a love that saves him for eternity.

They're punks...but they clean up pretty well.

Soccer Camp

The littles spent the week out of the pool and on the soccer field. Thomas has embraced his inner Pele. Yeah, you heard me. I'm old school.

Skills and drills with Coach Mac

Yeah, I know. No hands!

Middle Man normally hates anything frozen. Or remotely cold.
But on a 90 degree day, a red popsicle hit  the spot after a half hour on the soccer field. 

Punks

While Fletcher was at basketball camp, we got in a little park time. I love watching these two play together. They look nothing alike. Their personalities are very different. But they get each other. And they love each other.

They are brothers.

One day this week, they were the Red Rangers. Good thing Uncle Clark keeps us supplied with OU jerseys.

Boomer Sooner. We love you, Uncle Clark.

Brotherly Love

Adding a third child to the Hall family has seriously changed the dynamics and balance of power around here. Being first born just doesn't carry the weight it once did. Instead, two against one generally breaks in favor of the littles.

As the only girl in the mix, I find myself preferring to observe the mayhem from a safe distance. Then someone starts crying and I remember that I'm the responsible adult who has to step in and stop the fracas.

I know I'm supposed to feel bad that Fletcher is outnumbered and often tormented by two high octane little brothers. But I love that Everett and Thomas are partners in crime. They are forging a bond. Right now, their older brother is the most convenient target of their fire. But one day, it will be someone else. Maybe a kid teasing Thomas because he pronounces a word funny. Or maybe a kid picking on him because one of his eyes doesn't work.

I pray that if given the opportunity, Everett will stick up for his brother. Don't get me wrong....I'm not encouraging a schoolyard fight. Frankly, Everett doesn't need any encouragement to mix it up. If any of my sweet children will be calling me for bail money one day, it will be Everett. 


It's the only child in me. Sibling dynamics fascinate me. I love watching my children be brothers. And I hold onto the hope that they all are forging a bond that runs deep and lasts long.

As I remind them often, one day, their Daddy and I will be old and really grouchy, and they'll have to stick together to put up with us.

Peanut Butter Granola Energy Balls

No, you have not been redirected to a Food Network Chef's blog. In the interest of sharing my world as it really is I took a picture of today's kitchen project.

Peanut Butter Granola Energy Balls.

Because my three hoodlums don't have enough energy. Yeah, right. No - my three hoodlums have plenty of energy. (Which I have begun channeling to keep the Hall House clean. Will post on that another day.)

My people are hungry. All. The. Time. Three squares a day isn't cutting it around here, so in the interest of keeping my sanity and getting me out of the kitchen for more than 5 minutes a day, I've been making these.

They are very easy. Trust me. I would not lie to you about something as important as this. Actually, I wouldn't lie to you about anything. I have a terrible poker face.

I've seen this recipe on quite a few cooking blogs and websites. It's easy to customize, which makes it a keeper in my book. That and the fact that it's super easy. Did I mention that?

This version has chocolate chips. According to the Littlest Hall, that's what makes them so yummy. He and I are a lot alike. Middle man doesn't like chocolate very much. What is wrong with him? Maybe a batch with Craisins will scratch his itch. I'll report back.

So, here you go with the basic recipe:

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup oatmeal
1 cup chocolate chips
2 tbsp honey
4 tbsp flax seed

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Shape into balls and refrigerate for 30 minutes. I don't know how many this recipe yields. Probably 18. I didn't count today. And, well, my sous chef and I ate a few. It's science. You have to test your experiment.

Note: I used creamy peanut butter today. I used Nuttzo last time, and I loved the crunchy texture. Unfortunately, the hoodlums didn't care for it, so I ended up eating pretty much the entire batch. Kinda defeated the whole purpose.

So play around with it and figure out what works best in your house.

Enjoy!

Winner winner, chicken dinner

I made BBQ chicken for dinner tonight. If I had mad photog - and cooking - skills, I would post pics of luscious chicken legs that would have you reaching for your car keys to b-line it to the Hall House.

But I don't. Plus, I promised to be authentic here.

So I give you the actual results of my blood, sweat, and tears.

World's Worst Blogger

For the two of you who actually bother to read this blog, I have to apologize. I realize that the point of blogging is to do it on a fairly frequent basis. My twice-a-month posts aren't cutting it, I know.

Here's my vow to do better. I've been inspired by The Pioneer Woman to be all I can be as a blogger. She runs a ranch and homeschools her four kids while keeping the PW brand fresh and sassy....surely I can posts pics of my little hoodlums and say something pithy at least a few times a week.

So here I am...in my own voice. With photos to prove that I speak the truth.


In my ongoing quest to soak in all that is the Natural State before we move way up north next year, I took the Little Halls berry picking last week.

Fletcher is questioning why someone would eat a blackberry
when a perfectly fine chocolate alternative is available. 

The littles were slightly more enthusiastic.

Everett to Thomas: "Dude, we should totally jack one of these bunnies."

Last Wednesday marked the end of the t-ball season, much to the delight of Everett's two older brothers.  That's OK, Buddy. Mama will always be there for you. With a juice box.  

"Ha Ha. You didn't get any ice cream."
And I'm gonna wipe my wet, sticky hand all over you.

The arrival of summer means we are spending so much time at the neighborhood pool we should probably have our mail forwarded. As anyone who has lived in the South for more than 10 minutes will attest, it's the only way to survive June thru August.

David Hasselhoff - you got nothin.

Channeling their inner Michael Phelps. Or maybe
Johnny Depp from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

The Little Halls are taking swimming lessons. I will have those two swimming on their own if it kills me. I've got books to read while I'm laying out, people.

Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming.

No child was injured in the filming of this lesson.
But a serious  aversion to water in the face was conquered. I'm one proud Mama.