A berry productive summer so far

One day last week I received a giant delicious bowl of home grown strawberries from my Father in Law.    I turned it into four strawberry rhubarb pies, and several jars of strawberry freezer jam. 

And what is home made jam without a couple of loaves of home made bread?    

It was such a happy sight there on my counter, almost worth the aching feet! :)

Local Moron gets eaten- while eating out!

Who was it that coined the phrase, "Lazy Summer Days?"

   Like, really.   Who exactly was it?

I'd like to find that person and ask him how he achieved such a thing, as our summer has been everything BUT lazy!    My backyard hammock keeps calling my name, and it makes me sad that I haven't had a moment to give it the attention it deserves;)     

As soon as we got back from quest, we immediately threw ourselves into a bunch of other well laid out plans, all of which are great.  It's just that I'm beginning to think that I'm going to need a holiday after this whole "Summer Break" thing;)  

On Thursday evening, I looked around my kitchen (which was a complete and utter mess), looked at my kids (who were all bored and grouchy),  looked outside to the west of us (it was clear and sunny) -and made an executive decision.

I found John and told him that we were EATING OUT!!!

Of course- in this family "eating out" doesn't mean what you would think it means.    

Nope.  To us- this is eating out!

Thanks to the wonderful invention that is the Wonder Box, I have found a new way to enjoy a warm cooked meal in the mountains (which I love) without getting all smoky (which I loathe).   We enjoyed a sausage and pasta dish with fruit salad, coleslaw, and strawberry rhubarb pie leftover from the night before.  It all tasted soo good!  Things always taste better when you "Eat Out" right?

John LOVES eating out!   (So long as it doesn't involve a restaurant.)  

After supper, the kids tried to catch a squirrel for a little bit, while John sat around and looked handsome.     (Just saying'.)

When the sun started to dip behind the mountains, John figured it was time to start the fishing.   Max chose to fish from the shore with his fly rod, while John insisted on heading out to the middle of the lake in his beloved Seahawk 500.    

I usually get a bit nervous when John inflates the boat because I know that once he is way far out there - there is no getting him back until he is good and ready to come back.  This usually leaves me wandering the shoreline with an impatient two year old, which believe me, is just as fun as it sounds;)  

Miracle of miracles though, this time Nate insisted on joining them in the boat, and after climbing in and sitting down, he actually stayed put!    For the first time ever I sent John and ALL my kids off - wishing them a successful time fishing, and encouraging them to take as long as they needed.  

As in, don't you dare hurry back!

So as my beautiful family drifted farther and farther away, I settled down on the dock, with a lawn chair and a good book.    I sat there, soaking up the sun,  happily enjoying the quiet moment, and I couldn't help but give myself a proverbial pat on the back for being such a genius and having the idea to Eat Out in the first place.   

It was just what we needed!  

Oh yeah, and on the way back down to the townsite, we stopped to watch this little bear eating on the side of the road.   

 I opened the side van door, and hung out of it, trying to get the best possible picture.    That bear was not the least bit shy though, and I'll admit, my heart started to race when it quickly walked right up to us, sniffing the ground beside us and  FORCING me to quickly shut the van door before it gobbled me right up!   Because I know that's what it was going to do, ok!

 I can see the headline now:

"Local Moron gets eaten while Eating Out."

That totally would have put a damper on the evening;)

A truly amazing weekend

This Canada Day weekend was spent attending our Stake Youth Camp called Moroni's Quest.   In short,  it's a 4 day event that takes the youth through various events of the Book of Mormon.    There were about 230 kids in attendance, and close to 25 tribe leader couples.  John and I got to be Tribe Leaders and we were assigned a group of 9 magnificent youth that we had never met before.  Well, at least I had never met before.  

During the day, we spent our time as a tribe watching various re-enactments and then gathering together to discuss each enactment, always trying to find ways to apply it to the youth in a relatable way.     It began as we left the Mountain View Stake Center and followed Lehi and Sariah into the Wilderness, and it ended 4 days later as we sat on a hill and watched as Joseph Smith (the first prophet of this dispensatin) retrieved the Golden Plates from the Hill Cumorah.    Mingled in between those to scenes were re- enactments depicting Nephi and his family, Alma and the sons of Mosiah, the dramatic burning of Abinadi, King Benjamin's address to his people,  the 2000 stripling warriors and a beautiful visit from the Savior, just to name a few.

It all left me in complete awe of the beautiful gift that the Book of Mormon is to us, and it was amazing to see the hearts of these youth grab hold of it.   

Basically - I don't think I will EVER forget this weekend.

Some of the highlights for me:   

   For starters- this beautiful sight is something that took my breath away several times a day.

This photo was taken on the main flat.   It's a giant meadow where we would all join for various battle scenes.    On Sunday, we also took a small hike up to a beautiful grove with (if you can believe it) an even more spectacular view of Chief Mountain, where we had our Sacrament meeting service.   

Another special thing to me, was getting to experience this with Jewel.  Her and Kendall were also asked to be tribe leaders, and I'm so so glad for that.    We've gotten to attend lots of training meetings together over the past 9 months or so, and I LOVED being able to look around me this weekend and see Jewel off in the distance with her tribe doing the exact same thing.  

  Dang her though for tanning so well!

This was Home Sweet Home for us for those three nights.  I am happy to report that despite all my anxieties I actually did NOT die of hypothermia, nor did I get eaten by a bear.   

In fact- I don't want to brag or anything, but think I pretty much rocked this whole camping thing!

Each of the tribe leaders needed to come up with a Tribe Name as well as a trinket that would represent their tribe.     John and I ended up naming our tribe HAZAK, which is the Hebrew word for "Be Strong."  It doesn't mean Be Strong in a physical muscley kind of way- but rather speaks of the inner strength, a courageous type of strength, that we all need to have in today's world.   Our trinket wasn't the most original or cutest, especially when compared to other tribes, but our tribe members did like their name and never hesitated to shout HAZAK.    Over the course of those few days it became apparent to me that each member of our tribe was indeed, so so very STRONG.

This is our tribe.   It consists of kids that I had never known five days ago, but now LOVE.   I knew that this was going to be a special experience, but I was not prepared to care about these kids in the way that I did.    I admire each and every one of them deeply, and there are a few select ones that I truly wanted to just take home with me.       

It was so very hard to say goodbye to them at the end, knowing that they'd likely never understand how much they'd woven themselves into my heart.    I so badly wanted to convey that to them, but never found adequate words.  

More then that though, John and I wanted them to know and believe that their Heavenly Father cares about (and loves) them.   We wanted these kids to know that it is through our Saviour Jesus Christ that true strength can be found.    Again,  I'm not sure if we ever were able find the right words, but there were moments when one of these spectacular kids would astonish me and I'd feel a little stirring of joy that yes, they definitely do know it. 

I am so so grateful for the chance to be around these amazing people and just bask in their glow a little bit.    Truly Amazing!

Moroni's Quest...what scares me most

On Monday evening, John, some of his Young Men's Counsellors, our Bishop, and all of their families  went out to our Bishop's Cabin for a hot dog roast.   My kids were thrilled to get to go along on this little FHE outing.  Well, technically... it was more so that the men could work and clear a spot for our youth to camp this weekend, but we all happened to go along for the fun.    

Here, Sister Wolff was teaching our kids all about the fun of "Pooh Sticks."    

And believe me- the kids had FUN playing Pooh Sticks!

(I'd made a bet with my friend Mandi that it would be one of my kids that would end up in the water before hers, and sure enough- Sam went wading in (shoes and all!) just to retrieve a stick!
   Well, probably just to make me mad, but he said it was to get his stick;)

This beautiful place is where our stake will be holding Moroni's Quest!  I'm so excited because John and I get to be Tribe Leaders to a small handful of youth, and get to know them throughout this amazing event.  

Actually, truth be told.... I am excited, but I'm also a little bit afraid.   

I don't know which thought scares me most;  the thought of a) getting eaten by a Bear or b) dying of hyperthermia.  Knowing my luck, I'll probably get hyperthermia and then get eaten by a bear;) 

Other then that though, I think it is going to be an absolutely swell time!

Ok actually here is the real truth.  What I'm mostly afraid of is the thought of having this deep down, intense, renewed, and bursting at the seams testimony of the Book of Mormon and my Savior Jesus Christ, but not having the courage to find my voice and share it.     I've never been good at bearing my testimony, not to mention the fact that the youth are sort of an intimidating and foreign species to me.    What if I haven't prepared enough?  What if I forget the things I've learned?   What if I blubber like an idiot "like I always keep doing?"    

Earlier this week, I was expressing some of my trepidation to a neighbor and she gave me some very good advice.  I think if it is the only thing I remember - then things will be alright. 

 She said, that all I need to do to connect with the youth is... Listen to them.   

Say what?  Just Listen?

Not talk?   Not expound my unending wealth of knowledge?  (kidding;)  How can that be?

It's almost as though this all has so very little to do with me and what I know, or what I've learned at all!  What a shock eh;)  

The more I think about it, the more that advice makes absolute and perfect sense.   As soon as I accept that the spirit is the teacher, not me, the less daunting this assignment begins to seem.   It's not about sounding smart, or spiritual, or being cool enough.   It's about reflecting the love of Christ so that those youth are able to feel it for themselves.    Just simply preparing for Moroni's Quest this past year has given me an inkling of how truly amazing this experience will be for those young people in our stake.

I guess the key is perhaps to just make sure that I don't get in the way of it all.

(photo taken at Moroni's Quest site last summer)

Two days in

Well, here we are.  Not even two days into Summer Break and I'm about ready to list some of my kids on ebay;)   It's crazy how much kids PLAY!   I mean don't they ever stop to rest?   Or Clean?
 ...Or, I don't know,  say Thank You?    

I know, I'm a Silly mommy.   A Dreamer.   Of course they never stop.   At least not until their tired heads finally drop off to sleep after a long day of fun.

I have to admit, it was kinda funny yesterday when they decided it was time to make a play.   I introduce to you the cast:

The ever so sweet -  "Lady Bug Queen."

The spunky and rebellious - "Ricky"

And then, my personal favorite - the lovely (yet creepy) "Princess Cleo."

What a looker eh?   

Luckily, no matter what kind of game the kids play, or how big the messes they make get - to their credit, they are always so willing to help clean up at the end of every day.    

Granted that might have something to do with the bribes and promises of Dave's Ice Cream Cones that I keep throwing out at them.   

 (PS:  John doesn't think we should bribe our kids with store bought treats, so I'm always extra careful to make sure we do this only when he's not looking;)  

I tell ya, a Tutti Fruity Ice Cream cone is all it takes, and they are like puddy in my hands.   

The Block Party we Crashed in style

In my previous post, I mentioned my attempt on Thursday to enjoy one last calm and peaceful day before school got out for the summer.    Well, Friday came and by 1:30pm everybody was ready to

 P-A-R-T-Y!

Sam and Abby both spent the afternoon at birthday parties for friends, and at 7:30 that evening we headed over to my sisters neck of the woods for a "School's Out" celebration like no other!  

Jewel lives in a pretty cool cul de sac that is full of kids of all ages, and there is always something fun going on, but this really takes the cake.    One of Jewel's friends organized the event.   

The general idea?   Everyone is welcome.   Bring snacks.   And Dance Dance Dance!   

Here is a picture I snapped as we arrived.  The party was just getting started;) 

There was LOTS of snacking, and the cutest Lemonade shop ever!

There were kids ripsticking, lots of dancing in the street, and visiting.    The DJ played music non-stop.

There were bubbles, friends and puppies to play with. 

My kids surprised me and danced and played without any reservation.   Seriously.  If I could bottle up their confidence and keep it for myself I would;)   I tried my best to not look like a wall flower, and took any opportunity I could to visit with some of my favorite people!

Abby danced terribly.  (but confidently;)

Sam spent his time trying to harass the girls his age.

Jessica latched on to many of her former pre school friends and she disappeared for large chunks of time.

And Nate?....

Well, Nate is still in the habit of removing his diaper ANY time he gets it wet.  It's become almost impossible to keep it on him.   So TWICE that night we looked down to find Nate standing beside us withOUT pants or diaper.    You know, just chillin'... bearing it all!   It's like I always say, "It's not a party until a streaker shows up, right?"    (ok, actually, I never say that, but I like to think he made the event extra EVENTful.)     The second time he did it though, we'd had enough (John and I), and we decided it was time to try and save face and go home.     I mean there is only so much humiliation we are willing to endure, you know?

So, John took off down the street, carrying our half naked son, and I looked around for Sam.   It didn't take long to find him dancing alone on someone else's front porch.   It was such a funny sight that I stopped to film it for a second before pointing him towards John and Abby and commanding him to go home!    

As I was headed home, I found Jessica and made her come with me.   She immediately burst into tears and told me that this was (once again)...the "worst day ever!"   (If you read my previous post, you'd understand that she didn't really mean that, she just apparently never wants the fun to end:)

Finally though, we were home. 

 It was 10:30 at night, and the party was still going strong, but we were home.

Time for bed!   

Suddenly, John and I looked around and noticed that someone was missing.   Where was Sam? 

We did the whole, "I thought you had him" ......"No.  I thought YOU had him" thing before John headed back to the party to find our missing child.    

So basically, that is us in a nutshell.   We occasionally lose our children, and they occasionally take their clothes off in public.    

 Yup.  We are pretty awesome. 

But you know what I like to say.  It's not a Party until.....   (oh...never mind;)

I'm so glad to know people who think up such fun ideas, and have the energy to bring them to life. 

  I can see that I have my work cut out for me this summer.   If I am going to keep my kids happy, it is going to take nothing short of a non-stop, NEVER ENDING party!   

Here is a little montage containing some of the fun:

One last hurrah before school ends...

I think I am the only person I know who was slightly dreading the last day of school.  Don't get me wrong, there are LOTS of things that I'll enjoy about summer holidays.   (Less schedule; no making bag lunches every day;  no entryway full of coats, shoes and backpacks....)  

 I will however miss the quiet.

I will really miss the quiet;)

So on Thursday, when I woke up to a beautiful sunny day, I took it as a sign.   A God given gift, if you will, just for little ol' me.  One last chance to enjoy a calm and peaceful day before the madness officially begins;)

Where did I  choose to go?

Waterton of Course!

Of course I still had Nate and Jessica with me and so I was determined to make it extra fun for them too.    So we spent the day: 

*Walking along Red Rock Road

* playing by Jessica's Waterfall (she has claimed it as her very own;)

*Eating hot dogs and the obligatory sweet potato fries (can't go now with out getting those;)

*stopping by the stables to visit our favorite horses

*playing on the playground

 *and as an extra special treat- enjoying our favorite candy from our favorite candy store!

It was an absolutely PERFECT day.  There was not a bit of wind, which is rare for Waterton, and the sun shone down on us the whole time!  Oh yeah, and we also happened to get there right smack dab in the middle of the annual Wildflower festival, and they don't call it that for nothing!   We chose to walk along Red Rock road many times so that we could enjoy all the beautiful wild flowers that were growing along the side of the road.   

Bee-eee-autiful!!!!

By mid afternoon though, we knew we had to get home to meet Sam and Abby after school.  (Good bye school schedule.   I won't miss you!:)   As we reached the exit of the park Jessica burst into tears and proclaimed, "This is the WORST day EVER!"    

Somewhat surprised I asked her how it could possibly have been the worst day ever when we'd all had so.much.fun?  

Her response:  "Well...it was the best day ever, until we had to leave.  Now it is the worst day ever." 

Yup.   I totally see her logic there.   

Kids Marathon- What a Party!

Every year our family participates in the Kids Marathon.  It was created by a husband and wife team, and has really become something quite huge.   A few years ago, they'd had this idea to create an event in which (over the space of several weeks) the kids would register and run/walk/ride the equivalent to a Marathon Race, with everyone gathering to do the last mile together!     Such a great idea, and the "last mile" party has really become something everyone looks forward to.    

Yesterday was the final race day.  Here is a snapshot of a portion of the crowd as we are getting ready to begin the race.    My niece Ava was in charge of joining a few other kids up on the flat deck and teaching the crowd a couple of dance moves.   That girl never seems nervous to me and she did such a good job.    Oh yeah, and it rained this year- but that didn't seem to dampen anyones mood at all!    

Here is a glimpse of the runners.   This line stretched all the way down to main street, and there were more people behind me;)    I wish I'd heard an official headcount of al who ran, but I didn't.    I did hear someone say that there were over 2000 people there!    Does that sound too crazy too be true?

Well...you should've seen it- that's all I have to say;)

Jessica proudly wearing her snazzy dazzy GLOW IN THE DARK medal.   After collecting her medal, the kids all got to enjoy a picnic lunch provided by Subway, and then my kiddos watched as others fought for prizes.    Haha.  I think my kids were too nervous to try to win anything - which surprised me.  I've never known my kids to be shy a day in their lives.    Who knew? ;)

Happy Cousins enjoying their triumph!

This is a picture of Patricia and Duane that I took at last years Marathon.   Every time that I talk with Patricia I always walk away with a renewed desire to find something to be truly passionate about.    She's definitely passionate about healthy living and it is so inspiring to see what these two accomplish each year because of that.    That said...watching them yesterday also made me feel so so very tired! ;)

If you were to ask my family- they'd tell ya that the 4th Annual Kids Marathon was a smashing success!   

The view from my backyard hammock

The rain is pouring down right now, and there is nothing I want to do more then find a patch of sunshine and bask in it's warmth for a bit.   Sadly, there is none to be found.  What is with this spring?   

I came across these photos that were taken a couple of weeks ago, on a rare but glorious sunshiny day.   I remember it well.   I had just finished mowing the lawn.  Jessica was snapping pictures of Nature, and  there were a bunch of kids over playing after school.  By all means, it should have seemed like a busy time.   I listened as kids argued on the trampoline debating who's turn it was to do their trick next.   From the kitchen I could here Abby yelling to me that Nathan's Popsicle was melting all over the floor but he wouldn't let her take it away from him.   And the phone was ringing.   Somewhere, off in the distance, I could here it ringing.   

I just ignored it all.

It's funny how melodious the sounds of six kids can be when laying in a Hammock staring up at the sky!

Sometimes there are just too many things to brag about;)

So yesterday after church, I asked one of Nate's primary teachers (who is awesome by the way!)  how Nate was doing with the other kids in his class.    The response: 

 "He's selfish.  Belligerent.  Completely uncooperative, and he seems to enjoy disobeying."  

Hmmm.  I hadn't really expected that (though I can't entirely disagree with it;)    

However, that synopsis has caused me to spend at least 15 minutes deep in pensive self reflection, as I've wondered just where exactly I've gone wrong with this boy.    It's not like I'm delusional or anything - I know my kids aren't perfect, ...but "Belligerent?"   I mean, I don't even know what that means!!!

Needless to say- Nate may not be in my good books right now, but let me pause to reflect on the successes and accomplishments of my older kids.    (You know the ones that aren't bordering complete delinquency:)

Take Abby for example.    Imagine our surprise last Monday when she wanted to share a talent at Family Home Evening.   What was her talent you ask?   Well she successfully put an unconscious (somewhat over dramatic) patient into "recovery position!"     Apparently she'd learned this technique from a comic book - so I think she gets extra props for teaching herSELF!   

* She's Ambitious, Self-Motivated, AND she'll probably end up saving someones life one day, no?

******

Jessica has spent the week doing dishes after every dinner time meal, all on her own!   She's not being punished or anything-she just does it to suck up.   It's AWESOME!   (Well, ... if you can look past the puddle of water that pools on the floor beneath her, that is)      

* See? Service oriented AND and a certifiable brown noser.   She'll go far with those qualities;)

******

Sam participated in the grade 1 track and field event at school last week.  He was proud as punch when he won first place in the 50 meter dash, and so was I.    I mean sure- he only ran against two other kids, but that didn't really seem to dampen his spirits.   As far as he knows- he's the reining champ of the whole day!   

* He may not be the most humble kid around but he ...um ... runs really fast?   

 And that's something to be proud of right? 

******

Then there is Nate.   I snapped this photo of him the other day after he'd taken his diaper off for the 37th time!   I initially thought he was ready to potty train-  but he still flat out REFUSES to sit on the potty and even try.   Instead, he would much rather take off his diaper secretly as soon as it's dirty, leave it in some unknown place for me to find later,  then pull up his pants and keep playing.   It's a recipe for disaster really, and I find that it is a full time job for Abby and I just making sure he has a diaper on! Still though- there's gotta be something good I can say about this boy right?

 ...Nope.  I've got nothing.  Unless "Belligerence" can be considered a virtue - I've got nothing.

Thankfully though, Nate's nursery leader (who's judgement I really do trust) did assure me that this is just a phase.  He'll surely get through it.   And in the mean time, at least I've got the three other kids to be proud of right?

See?  There's a silver lining in everything!

Happy Father's Day

My Dad always had the BEST advice to give!   Like, for real.   He always had some little nugget of wisdom to throw at us at any given moment.   For example: 

When I told him about a kid who was teasing me at school, he told me to go back to that kid, look him straight in the eye and say, "Oh yeah...well ....your Mother wears Army Boots!"  (I can't remember, but I think it worked like a charm;)  

When I was a 11, he decided to grow his grey hair out and wear it in a ponytail like a biker,  and my sisters and I were mortified!  I asked him why he wanted to embarrass us so much, and his response was that - "You can't always worry about what other people think about you."   (That's proven to be one of the bigger lessons that I'm still trying to learn.)

Suffice it to say, my Dad was a real Character.   And I miss him very much.  

Father's Day always gives me the chance to reflect on the awesome Dad that he was.   Although his methods were at times a little bit ...um ...unorthodox(?), he managed to instill deep within me an appreciation for the important things in life.     

Every Father's Day I feel such gratitude for the high standards my Dad required me to have when choosing a husband.    I couldn't ask for a better man to raise this gaggle of kids with then this guy right here;)   

This morning we tried to make John his favorite breakfast and shower him with all sorts of gifts and crafts, in an effort to show him how much we love him.  Some how though, all of that seems miserably superficial and shallow when compared to all that he gives us!   

"Steady John" -  That's what I like to call him!   He's not easily swayed, fears little, has a steel trap mind full of wise things, and speaks the truth.   He Always speaks the truth!    He lives what he believes and doesn't worry about what others think of him.  

I suppose in that way- him and my Dad are actually a lot alike.

Of course I am thankful for my father in law too, who (like my own Dad did) has taught me many important lessons.   Thanks to Max, I now know where to plant my squash each year and how to hill my potatoes!   He's shown me that sometimes speaking quietly can be more effective then always fighting to be heard.  And he is constantly demonstrating to me that serving those around you is never too much to ask.    

I'm so thankful to have so many wonderful examples in my life.   

Happy Father's Day to you each and every one!

   

A day on my own....

Thanks to a couple of previously scheduled specialist appointments, I found myself making the drive from here to Calgary this past week at 5:30 in the blessed am.    I used to be a morning person, but I must be getting old- because truly getting up that early was a big deal.   John (the eternal optimist) tried to reassure me by telling me that everything is always so peaceful at that time of day.

He's right by the way;)    

It was a quick trip, as I had to get back home by late afternoon to accommodate the kids sporting events etc, but I had an hour and a half in between my appointments to burn, and I was determined to stay away from all shopping malls.  (dang me and my recent determination to embrace frugality!:)

I found the most charming greenhouse just a bit off of 16th Ave, and spent much too much time inhaling the scents and loving the colors around me.     There was a particular garden bench for sale that I was really tempted to sprawl out on and read the book I'd brought along in my purse.  

 But I didn't.  (I didn't want to look homeless;)

Seeing as I was already on 16th Ave,  I knew I was only a few minutes away from the graveyard where my Mom and Dad are.    Well, technically, I know they really AREN'T there, but on this particular day- I really enjoyed my time connecting with them just the same.    John has said many times that a graveyard is not where he would go to feel close to loved ones, but it was nice to be alone, and recall the memories that I have.

I was sad that the gravestone had been so neglected, and the grass around it was completely unkempt. (I spent a good 20 minutes ripping up grass and cleaning it up, and I ended up having muddy knees and finger nails for my second appointment;)   However, I could tell that one of my siblings had also been here within the past couple of months because our parents grave was at least less grown over then others.     

After that I still had a few minutes left before I had to make my way to the south side of Calgary, so I decided to drive up to the new Temple to see how it looks.   Unfortunately Stony Plain Rd was NOT the road I should have taken, and I ended up being whisked past it without ever getting the chance to get to close.    Next time I'll know what road to take;)   But, if you squint really hard- you can see it!

So thankful to John and my sister JEWEL who juggled watching the kids amidst their own hectic schedules.    Who knew a trip to the doctor could be so enjoyable;)?  

Front yard in June

One warm and sunny day...

This week we've had a lot of rainy days, one really humid day, one foggy day, a few windy days, and even one day when all of Southern Alberta was put on a Tornado Watch.  (It produced nothing more then a lot of rain for us, but three tornadoes did touch down in other places)

Luckily though, this week also brought one Warm and Sunny day!    

The kids were obviously thrilled at the prospect of outdoor play, because as soon as they got home from school they changed into their swimsuits and converged on the back deck for a little bit of sunbathing.   

...and sewing?

Sunbathing and Sewing.    Too logical outdoor summer activities.    

While the kids lounged (and sewed;) Nate kept happy playing with his new (to him) water slide.

Perhaps I should clarify though, that the kids didn't really need a warm, sunny day to play with this, as more then once this week I caught them playing on it IN THE RAIN!

Clearly these kids no better then to hold out waiting for that ONE "warm and sunny day";)

When life is boring...

I mentioned in my previous post that Jessica has now finished pre school and is officially on Summer Break.   I couldn't be more excited about that myself, as it means I now have an ENTIRE day at my disposal, not just a broken up half day.   (Those lunch time pickups were the bain of my existence, and for the life of me I can not figure out why I was ALWAYS the last parent to show up?!)  

Anyways, now Jess and Nate and I are free to go and do anything we want within the hours of  9am-3pm and I have a feeling that a bit of that time will be spent enjoying little trips out to Waterton.   

 (shh though.  Don't tell Abby and Sam;)

This couldn't come at a better time for Nate, as he's grown a little too accustomed lately to playing pbskids on the computer... in his pajamas... for more hours then is healthy.

I'm pretty sure that if this child never learns to read, it will be because of all those days when Jessica went to school and left him home alone, with nothing to do but drift off into the mind numbing world of "dinosaur train."   

Poor Poor little boy.    

Last day of school

This past Wednesday, Jessica did NOT want to go to school.   That's definitely a first, because in all these  months, there has never been a day when Jessica did NOT want to go.    For a few minutes I was a bit confused, until a few pointed questions drew out the reason.     

Wednesday was Jessica's LAST day of pre school, and somehow in her little mind, she had decided that if she didn't go- then maybe it wouldn't actually have to come to an end.

I hope I can make her Summer Holidays seem as fun as her teacher made Pre school for her.   

(Though let's face it- I probably won't;)