Camian Academy

Today my brother, sister-in-law, and four nieces are headed on to their next stop in the mega-trip during their move to Alaska. It’s been crazy with all these children here for two weeks, but we’ve all had lots of fun. My kids will really miss having their cousins around. Hopefully the older ones have made some wonderful memories.

Special Edition: Best Summer Recipes

We all have a recipe that everyone wants you to bring to potlucks. For me that is Summer Tomato Pasta. It’s delicious, relatively easy to make, and can be made ahead and refrigerated making it perfect for taking to potlucks, taking along on a picnic, or to make in the morning to eat in the evening on those busy summer days.

1 pound pasta, cooked and drained
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon oil
4 lemons, zest and juice
1 pound mozzarella, cubed
8 Roma tomatoes, seeded and cubed
1 tablespoon dried basil
1/2 cup grated parmesan
Salt and Pepper to taste

As soon as the pasta is cooked, add vinegar and oil and stir. Let cool at least partway (to the point where the cheese will not melt when added). Add zest and juice of the lemons, mozzarella cubes, and seeded and cubed tomatoes. Stir well. Add basil, parmesan, and salt and pepper. Stir well again. Refrigerate at least two hours, stirring occasionally if you’d like (helps blend the flavors, but not necessary). Serve cold.

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Summer Tomato Pasta works for me. To see what works for other people, go here!

(Fritz is currently 35 months old.)

Fritz learns a lot in Tot School, but sometimes it’s time for a break and to just have fun. On weeks off I don’t take nearly the number of pictures I do when he is doing guided Tot School and so I miss a lot of the natural learning moments. But I do catch some of them.

He had a tea party with two of his siblings and his four girl cousins.

He went to the beach and played in the water and sand and with a ball.

He roasted marshmallows and ate S’Mores.

He played tons with his little brother and little cousin. They spent a lot of time taking turns (doing things like going down the slide) and just generally playing together.

He picked flowers and tried to blow the puffs away.

He met a black snake that had taken up residence in a hollow tree. He was glad his Daddy was willing to hold the snake while everyone looked at and touched it.

He had a birthday party with his little brother. Fritz got to do the only thing he wanted for his birthday: to blow fire (aka blow out the candles).

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So that was some of the fun stuff Fritz did this week. To see what other tots did, go here!

June 21

My oldest son loves tea parties. Today he planned a very nice one for him, his siblings, and his cousins.

June 22

We had a picnic dinner at the beach this evening. The kids were all able to go swimming. Even Fritz didn’t mind the water with his big siblings there to help him.

June 23

We roasted marshmallows this evening. The kids made S’Mores.

June 24

My littlest niece, Violet, was so tired that she leaned over on the couch and fell fast asleep standing up.

June 25

We went to Rita’s Italian Ice after dinner tonight. I’m not sure what we were thinking when we got cherry and strawberry - both red - for the three little ones.

June 26

We got a dragonfly cake made of cupcakes for the little boys’ birthday party.

June 27

We celebrated Adrian and Fritz’s birthdays today. Adrian made an appropriate mess with his cake.

June 28

The kids watched a movie this evening. The girls really enjoyed it. They like anything with Zac Efron in it.

June 14

I am seriously in love with my mom’s Vidalia Chop Wizard. It does amazing things with almost any vegetable.

June 15

While I was doing school with the big kids this morning, the little boys found the pile of clothes I had on my bed. They played in the pile for a long time.

June 16

Today I tried a recipe out of Cook Yourself Thin for breakfast. It is bread, cheese, tomato, and poached egg. Delicious!

June 17

Ani and Cameron love dancing to Gonna Make You Sweat by C+C Music Factory.

June 18

The fog on our field in the morning is always a very pretty sight.

June 19

One year ago today I had a newborn. Today Adrian is one year old. I am so happy to have him. He is just so fun.

June 20

Our household has grown by 4 for a couple weeks. My brother’s girls are visiting. Here is my mom holding the two youngest of her grandchildren, Violet and Adrian (both of
whom, interestingly, have middle names after my father.)

June 7

I took this picture while we were reading scriptures one evening. I have a really cute husband!

June 8

My mom and I went back on Weight Watchers today. At 278, I have almost half of me to lose.

June 9

Late afternoon today the sky got dark and suddenly it was raining like crazy.

June 10

The sister missionaries came to dinner tonight. I love the spirit they bring.

June 11

Fritz did his first ever science experiment today. Milk, food coloring, and dish soap and you get beautiful swirling colors!

June 12

We found a cute little turtle on our field today.

June 13

Three matching pairs of sandals. One for Adrian, one for Fritz, and one for Cameron.

June 1

Jamie and I got to go on a date night tonight for the first time in ages. We went to Mimi’s Cafe. It was delicious.

June 2

Ani and Cameron started working on an art project today. They had to spread spackling paste on paper. Both agreed that it delt totally gross.

June 3

We got Ani a new bathing suit today. Her old one didn’t fit well and then it got a small tear while we were at the waterpark in Massanutten a couple months ago. Her new suit is a tankini and is just adorable on her.

June 4

Lest anyone be concerned that homeschooled students don’t get to ever be put into trash cans, today Cameron proved that they can in fact go in them. They just do it themselves.

June 5

We have been married 11 years today. It’s funny, but we both kept thinking that it was our 10th. I guess we were more focused on a new baby than our anniversary last year.

June 6

We went to the DMV and got our driver’s licenses today so that we could then go to the library and get library cards. We need access to the library!

I am unbelievably behind on getting these posted. I’ve still taken a picture for each day, though.

May 24

This morning was our first day back in our old ward. Cameron wanted his hair done all nice so he could “impress girls.”

May 25

Today we had an incredible rainstorm. Ani and Cameron played out in it and got totally and completely soaked.

May 26

Fritz wanted to wear his Thomas underpants today. Of course Adrian couldn’t be left out so he wore a pair, too, over his diaper.

May 27

Fritz loves the rug in the living room. He has a ball walking around and around the circle pattern until he gets dizzy.

May 28

Fritz is very into pretending right now. Today he was an airplane flying through our library.

May 29

Sometimes Fritz gets ahold of my camera and takes some funny pictures like this one of his little brother’s face. I always have to laugh at Fritz-eye view pictures.

May 30

I love seeing my two little boys sleeping so peacefully side by side.

May 31

Fritz makes this face when he thinks someone is being silly or when he’s in trouble or pretty much any time. I call ithis What you talkin’ ‘bout, Willis?” face.