VB's birthday.

Last weekend was VB's birthday. She invited a few friends over to spend the night. We were going to hook her up with a red neck water slide down the hill in the back yard but we finally had some fall weather so it was too cold. Last weekend we had record lows and this weekend we've got record highs. Actually from last night to today the temperature difference was 18 degrees. And people think the desert has brutal extremes. That's what they say about Florida... "If you don't like the weather...just wait and it will change."

Any way... Mom came by and brought a bunch of kites. Apparently she found some great sale and bought the store out. So the next day the kids had a great time flying kites.

They had a difficult time at first

But soon they learned if you can get it up high enough the winds are steadier and you don't have to do as much running. So when the wind blew they let the string out. And when it was calm they ran a little.

Before I knew it they got the kites up. Tied the extra bit of string on (250 more feet).The original string was probably 100ft. They were all so happy. Until finally the string ran out and they didn't know to make sure it was tied to the string holder. So up up and away the kites went. Crashing into each other and becoming one. They finally were captured by an old oak tree two houses away the only problem was they had walked three houses in the other direction. While the kite string was stuck in the tree the kites flopped about above the tree. The string laid perfectly across the tops of all our neighbors houses. Winding around a satellite dish or two. Luckily the string pulled free of the houses. (woof) and we recovered one kite from the tree. But that's what always happens to kites they end up in a tree.

Last night VB whipped up a batch of these awesome muffins. I think they were an invention of my mom. They were delicious and thought I would share the recipe.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins.

1 Package (18.25oz) White cake mix 1tsp baking soda

1cup crunchy peanut butter 3/4 cups water

2 eggs 1/3 cup strawberry jam

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine cake mix and baking soda. Add peanut butter, water, and eggs; beat just until blended.

Fill paper-lined muffin cups about two-thirds full. Place a teaspoonful of jam in center of batter in each muffin cup. Bake 18 to 23 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in muffin comes out clean.

Serve warm. Yealds about 18 muffins.

Veronica used squeezable grape jam. They were very yummy. She is such an awsome litte baker.