Back to School! (part II)

So last Friday, my Sister decided that we'd have another weekend of crafty fun and fake camping with the girls for their FIRST day of school. Kind of a fun way to end the summer.
Actually, two of my nieces had already started school because they are now going the whole year, and the other one starts today.
This time, I was prepared for staying in the basement.

My Shug cleared the campfire area out for us so we could make s'mores. But this time I cooked the hot dogs ahead of time. I have a really good way to fix hot dogs in a crock pot so you can stomach them!

RECIPE
Brown two pounds of ground beef in a skillet along with one medium onion and one medium bell pepper. Drain the grease and put that in the crock pot along with 1/2 bottle of ketchup and 1/2 bottle of BBQ sauce (the recipe never told what size bottle to use so I just wing it - this recipe is one of those throw it together type recipes) 2 TBS mustard, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 1 TBS vinegar. Mix it all up, put the hot dogs in the crock pot with the sauce and keep it on low.
Then when you eat your hot dog on the bun, make it like a coney dog.

But we did make s'mores around the campfire.. You just gotta have a campfire. Winston decided to climb to the top of the woodpile.

Emily decided to join him, which blackened the bottom of her pants (sigh)

Mom and Dad joined us around the campfire this time too, but they only stayed about an hour.

And Vickie (our cousin) came to visit, but we couldn't talk her into spending the night either.

mmmm s'mores. When you roast marshmallows, do you burn yours, or brown them?

After campfire fun, my Sister had crafts planned for the girls.

They take their American Girl dolls with them places, but I've noticed they don't really 'play' with them. But they really enjoy making things for their dolls. Like purses.

They decorated headbands for themselves, and they made earring holders. Don't know if those were for them or their dolls, but they loved the craft part of the evening.

So did I! I worked on my ripple blanket, and I showed Vickie how to crochet. Wonder if she's been practicing....

Little Mother-Daughter dancing fun.

Then time for bed.

My Sister (she's turned into this planner kind of person) bought this book for them to read aloud, then try to guess what is wrong with the story.

They took turns reading and listening.....while I crocheted.

And when I went to bed, I had my own blow up mattress, my book, and my flashlight! I was ready to be comfy this time. Last time I laid on an air mattress on the cold, hard, cement floor and didn't get any sleep.

I love Dorothea Benton Frank's novels. LOVE them.

The next morning, my Shug brought donuts and coffee again.

The girls went swimming again.

Winston joined them! He loves the water.

Then they all left around noon and they spent another night with my Sister. I think a good time was had by all.

***************

And here's the thing.....cuz you gotta have a 'thing'.....

....I don't care if you are busy building a house, clearing out your Mother-in-Law's house, wrecking your car, posting a blog, and not keeping up with housework because you are busy with what's left of your time just trying to live.....the MEMORIES are the only thing that's important. YOU CANNOT TAKE ANYTHING ELSE WITH YOU, EXCEPT THE MEMORIES.

More on this 'thing' in my next post.

Cindy Bee