Little kids crack me up.
I find myself laughing uncontrollably at some of the things my campers say more often than not, whether its talking about the “UNORMOUS” spiders on the trees, the “skeetoes” that are everywhere at the forest preserves, playing at the “butt washers” at the pool (those vertical squirting fountains), or today, when we met our new friend.
My girls wanted to go on a nature walk today, which I was quite thrilled about, as I’ve been feeling like a potato lately. So we set out on one of the paths at the forest preserve this afternoon, and stopped to look in this pond:
Hmmm... who's hiding?
I know that many bullfrogs live in this chain of ponds at this forest preserve, so I told my girls to be very quiet and look carefully. Suddenly, a little gasp came from one of the girls. “Eyeballs!” she said, pointing at the space between some of the reeds. “It’s a frog!” As a group, we promptly decided that this frog was going to be our new friend, and we’d come visit him every week that we’re at this forest preserve. “What’s his name?” I asked. “Mr. Toady!” said one girl. “That’s not a toad, thats a frog!” said another. “I know,” said one of my smartest girls. “Let’s call him Steve!” So Steve it was. Steve has a friend, MaraFrog that lives down the pond. It was an eventful day in the Duckie group today!
After a relatively long commute, I came home to a package on the counter. I quickly took it off the counter and put it on a chair, because I knew what was inside. Why the chair? Well, the package contained these:
new kicks!
These are not for working out. These are simply “I wanted them so I had to buy them” Nike Shox. And why did I move the box to the chair? Family superstition! No shoes on the table! As far as I’m concerned, that counter is a table, so for good luck, I had to move it. Do you have any funny superstitions like that?
After trying on my shoes (they fit!) I set out to cook dinner. I made some simple meatballs, Smart Taste pasta, and sauce. This was not just any sauce though! A while back, the lovely people at Dei Fratelli sent me 2 jars of their pasta sauce, and we’d been saving the jars for an after-camp meal! I would recommend this amazing tomato basil sauce without hesitation! It really tasted fresh, like I actually made it.
Thanks, Dei Fratelli!
I made a great bowl of pasta and sauce with 3 meatballs (yes, I was hungry!) and some fresh mozzarella and parmesan cheese. It was just what I needed after a day full of skeetoes!
Why yes, that IS a lot of balls (TWSS!)
Tomorrow, we’re heading to Brookfield Zoo for a day full of monkeys, snakes, lions, tigers, bears, and dinosaurs! Are you ready for more animal pictures?? There may be a giveaway tomorrow too 
HAHA, omg i love how little kids are just like….let’s name him steve!! Out of nowhere, it’s the best thing ever! There was a sea lion swimming in our bay last year that my group named Wally
carolinebee´s last blog ..A Celebration of Momz
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That is so cute…Steve. lol Your girls sound darling. You all seem to have a lot of fun. Good for you and have a great day at the zoo.
Shannon Fab Fattie´s last blog ..To do it All…
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Your campers sound sooo cute!
Cool shoes!
Andrea@WellnessNotes´s last blog ..Weekly Meals (July 7 – July 10)
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Yum! I haven’t had meatballs in forever! So good (that’s what…never mind!)
Yay for nature walks
I am a nature girl (as well as a big-time city girl, go figure!) so I love that you are exposing the kiddies to nature and wildlife (or wild-ish life, at least!)
Hallie´s last blog ..Not Again, Nina!
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Good luck at the zoo, MaraFrog!!!
Sarah (LovIN My Tummy)´s last blog ..Happy Birthday, Chris!
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Those are really cute sneakers! They’d be good for just walking around town. I need a good pair of all-purpose shoes like that.
I like your camper stories
Lara (Thinspired)´s last blog ..Bigger, Better, Carby-er.
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LOVE THE NEW KICKS!
HEY, you could show up and wear them at the blogher 5k
let me see if it’s sold out!!
MizFit´s last blog ..Viewer Mail: So many diets. Which to choose?
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Kids are so funny! Sounds like camp is a lot of fun!
GREAT shoes! I’m afraid to buy shoes online because I can wear anything form a size 7-8 so I never know if they’ll fit!
After seeing all the fresh mozza you’ve been using, I think I need to go buy some ASAP!
Krista´s last blog ..Ho-Hum Day
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OMG, “butt washers”!!! That is TOO adorably funny!
Kimberly @ Poor Girl Eats Well´s last blog ..Recipe: Garlic-Black Pepper Shrimp & Avocado Salad
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love the mozzarella
have fun at the zoo!
brandi´s last blog ..Pancake Challenge + Call for Guest Posts!
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Love those campers!
Your dinner looks delish and right up my alley! Love the addition of fresh mozzarella balls:)
Your new kicks are so cool! And yeah, being Italian we have tons of superstitions in my family – too many to mention ;P
Marisa (Trim The Fat)´s last blog ..Happy Birthday Baby!!
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Ours was no shoes on the bed. So I will always remove shoes from the bed immediately if they are there…
And I was craving pretty much that dish and I didn’t get it at the store this week. Must get next week!!! I am drooling now…
Quix´s last blog ..Random Recipes: Summer Salads
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It’s good that you’ll be going to visit Steve on a weekly basis – you wouldn’t want him to get lonely now, would you?
And I’m always up for more animal pictures. Especially if you see penguins. I love penguins
Marianne´s last blog ..Oh Camera, Come Back To Me
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Your campers sound adorable!
Love your dinner especially that fresh mozz!
Danielle´s last blog ..Life Got In The Way
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Haha… kids certainly do say the darndest things. It’s so refreshing! Sometimes I prefer their company to that of adults
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The fresh mozzarella must have been marvelous in the pasta.
Lauren´s last blog ..It’s Salsa… No, It’s Fruit Salad…
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Hello little lady, just wanted to drop by and admire the lovely Italian food
Runeatrepeat´s last blog ..Cereal, schmeareal
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Good to know about that pasta sauce, it looks great. I want to go to camp!!
Meghan@traveleatlove´s last blog ..Tropical vacay anyone?
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I love Dei Fratelli – and frogs.
When my daughter was at zoo class, her first class was called – A Frog is Not a Toad. It wasn’t A Frog is not a Steve though.
Diana´s last blog ..Homegrown Tomato Sandwich
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i think a recognize a camper in that story. could it be the same kid that named the deer that keeps eating the bushes in my back yard. I suggested bambi. she insisted on walter.
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I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Nike Shox! They are so so cute!!
Now I want a pair!!! Good thing I don’t need sneakers anymore now that I am “retired”! I don’t have a good excuse to get them anymore!!!
glidingcalm´s last blog ..My name is Gliding Calm, and I am addicted to Bell Peppers
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[...] looking forward to visiting Steve tomorrow! Have a great [...]
[...] And the girls saw Steve today… he says “bbbrrrrtbbttttt”. He also has a new friend whose name I [...]
[...] wanted to introduce you all to someone today… Steve! We managed to find him (or a clone of him) today, as well as 4 friends that were named Sally, [...]