weekend randomness

we are an active family.
we love adventure and we love teaching our kids new things.
this summer has been full of bike riding, but this week, we added something new...tennis.

at first, i thought they might think it was boring, but they didn't.  we have gone back a second time already at their request.

this summer, we have dived into eating sushi and everyone loves it!  which again, totally surprised me.  i just need to learn how to make it...any suggestions on how to learn how to make sushi?

lastly, we took them to see the new planes movie.  i think my little guy was more excited than my little lady, but it was still a fun time.

bookworms

our summer has been filled with reading!

my little lady has a book club that she is apart of.  four cute little girls holding their first book club meeting.  they've decided to read little women (kid version) for their first book.

this is how we roll every week to the library...thank goodness for my stroller, it saves my back!

we enrolled in 3 summer reading programs, since i knew they would have no problem completing it.  they've scored some fun prizes too!  free books, free tickets to a couple amusement parks and a backpack.

dinner at the farm

we went to the farm with some friends and had dinner. the farm had several things to do besides eating.  we enjoyed the animals, playground and carriage ride.  

baseball game

a few weeks ago, we took the light rail downtown to go to a baseball game.

there is something so fun about going to the ball park in the summer. we usually go twice a year, since my man gets free tickets!

my man even caught this shirt when they were throwing them into the stands.

what i'm reading wednesday

This is a simple nonfiction chapter book about the life of the Apostle Paul. It is a perfect book for my daughter who is 8 years old. The book is filled with maps and pictures that help illustrate all the information in each chapter. This will be a great learning tool for years to come.

I received this book free from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for my opinion.

The Blender Girl was a must-have book for me.  I'm always on the lookout for GF recipes and there are 100 recipes in this book.  Most blender books are filled with smoothie recipes but this one has it all!  Recipes for snacks, appetizers, soups, main dishes to desserts.  The recipes are all natural, healthy and free from the process junk that is out there.  I have a feeling I will be using it frequently in my house.

I received this book free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my opinion.

how does your garden grow?

for me, this year has definitely been the best!  after living here for 4 years, i've finally figured it out!

there is plenty of goodness growing and harvesting has already began!

last night, i made an entire salad from the garden! i'm so stinkin' excited!

a little sugar!

just so you didn't think i had turned into some radical, no-sugar-eating crazy lady.
i haven't.
i made me a cake.
maybe it's a bit more healthy than other cakes, but it does have coconut sugar in it.

it's my first black bean cake i've ever made.
the kids and hubby were a bit skeptical.
black beans, really???
yup...and it turned out to be good!  plus it's gluten free, so i could have a slice too!

recipe found here.