Drums, Josie & Rick, and a tick!

For almost a year now, little Ruby has had a strong desire to be a drummer. She loves listening for the drums in any song that she hears, she loves to air-drum, and she wants to be like Animal from the Muppets. She loves that her Uncle Drew was a drummer, and feels a connection to him because of it. For months she has been in the habit of getting pots and similar items to make pretend drum sets. It has been so adorable. She has also put in several requests for a drum set for her birthday. And while the idea of a pres-schooler getting a drum set was cute, I didn’t think it would happen. I actually purchased a plastic toy drum at the store about a month ago, and I figured that would be the end of it. But as I watched her drum and dream and hope for a real drum set, I began looking at craigslist.com for a cheap used set. Lo and behold, there was one for sale – a child-sized actual drum set, and it was cheap! It was a bargain I couldn’t refuse to make my daughter’s dream come true. We bought it and brought it home and hid it under a blanket in a storage room where the girls never play. ….almost never.  Here is what happened, from their own mouths (see photos – I made them write about it in their journals!):

So my little drummer girl went from this:

To this:

So for family night that evening we had an impromptu family dance/jam session with me on the piano, Adam on guitar, and the girls on drums. Happy early birthday to Ruby!

The rest of the week was filled with pretty average play and adventure for the girls. Viv started school again, and the younger girls enjoyed story time at the library. 

This is the view from our bedroom window. GORGEOUS!

 This is Noma at the library story time. They have so much fun!

 Hopscotch and chalk fun in our driveway.

On our way to the bus stop we noticed what we thought was a giant spider nest, but a closer look helped us discover that there were baby moving caterpillars inside of it! So fun : )

Adam participated in a beach clean-up sponsored by Viridian, one of Advent’s biggest clients. We wanted to go with him, but it didn’t work out. It looks like fun though! We wanted to do something special to celebrate Earth Day last Sunday, but we didn’t have a chance to do it justice. We’d like to think that we celebrate and honor the Earth all year, but I know we can always do better. 

 On Friday, my sister Josie and her husband Rick come to visit! We are thrilled to have them here. We sincerely love having visitors.  Our girls had been counting the days down to their arrival. They (and we) are so happy to reconnect with them. YEA!

Here they are playing "Red Rover" at Comp beach.

PS - Adam had a tick in his calf. He is taking standard medication to stop the chances of Lyme's disease. It only took one month for one of us to get a tick. Ticks to date: one and counting...






Recipe of the week: (this one is also thanks to our healthy friends, Josh and Amy Choate)


Sprouted Kamut Apple Salad


4 apples, diced
2-3 celery stalks, diced
1 c sprouted kamut, spelt or wheat
1 c raw coconut pieces or shavings
1 c raw chopped pecan or walnut pieces (preferably soaked first)
1 c raisins or chopped dates
2 (ish) tsp cinnamon


Dressing: pour maple syrup over it and stir to lightly cover. You can also add a little yogurt to it.


Just mix it together and enjoy!