Summer So Far

It's a sled in the winter but a pool in the summer. It's great to have things that are dual purpose. Julene is quite creative.

We put up Jared's swing, and I think the other children enjoyed having him out there more than he did. They got a little carried away and there were a few pushes that were too big.

• Having all my spring allergies, I developed a sinus infection and was able to take some heavy duty medicine now because I'm not nursing anymore. So hopefully I'll be good the rest of the summer. I love being able to go outside now.

• Jared is weened to a sippy cup. I prefer it too a bottle because they're insulated, and during the summer I'm not always so good about putting it back in the fridge. I know that he can become just as attached to it as a bottle, but I feel like he's a big boy anyway. (Still no walking but has pulled himself up to the table a few times.)

• Half of us got the stomach flu that seemed to last forever. (Over a week for some of us.) It seemed to go away and then come back. Jared was the worst. There isn't a whole lot you can do about an upset tummy, and he can't tell you what's wrong.

• Randy was out of town again for work last week. He got a new contract with the same company. They seem to like him, so we feel very blest to have another contract. We missed him of course but kept busy doing our summer activities.

• This is the last week of swimming lessons, and that has given us something to do everyday. We even stayed to swim for fun on Monday. The first warm day, but I still thought it was cold when the wind blew.

• We've been going to library storytime once a week. It's fun to get a craft and some new books to read. We're trying not to loose all our skills.

• 3 children taking piano has been a new adventure as well. I didn't realize how much of my time it would take. They are all progressing so well. Marianne still is very excited and likes to play her pieces just for fun even though she has passed them off.

• Nathan gave a great talk at Church in Primary on Sunday. He looks so mature and confident and spoke so clearly.

• Being the Summer family planner, motivator, and follow througher has been tiring. I do pretty well with the planning, but motivating instead of nagging and staying on top of what everyone is supposed to be doing doesn't always happen. I have big ideas of teaching everyone to do all sorts of things from household jobs, gardening, sports, reading, learning activities, arts and crafts, scouts, and outside exploring. Some days it's all I can do to just make it through and close my eyes to the messes around me. I know we're doing better than it sounds. I probably just need to readjust my priorities, but I didn't plan any big projects for me to do alone so I figured I was being a little realistic. We're having fun though and I haven't heard "I'm bored" too much. They just don't like their choices for lunch.

Space Derby

Nathan participated in his first space derby. This was a lot easier to build than the pinewood car. I'm very pleased that this also turned into a father son activity with only questions of "Where's the sand paper and paint?" We did loose some parts and had to buy a new propeller set, but other than that it went great.

His spaceship never made it all the way across the line, and he did come in last in one race, but he finished somewhere in the middle. He was more interested in how he was going to hang it in his room. (We're still working it out.)

Janae's 11th B-Day

We had a party for Janae and her cousin Katie while we were with them. Katie is a year and and three days younger. So they are quite close. Grandma took them shopping to get matching outfits and also picked up an ice cream cake. They're not girls that are into pink, but they love blue and purple.

They got to blow out their candles together. (We didn't bother to actually count the right numbers.) It was a fun party. We had pops, crafted, and played Capture the Flag (or Steel the Flag whichever you prefer) They sure enjoyed celebrating together. They're such cute, sweet and kind girls. They really enjoy having each other as cousins.

Back home on her real Birthday, Janae made her own cake with some help from Julene. Janae is becoming so independent and such a good responsible helper. It's hard to believe this is her last year of primary, elementary school, and childhood in so many ways. I love seeing her grow, try new things that are hard, and learning to achieve and conquer them. She was asked to be one of the pianist for her elementary school next year and is eagerly learning the school's song over the summer.

Here she is blowing out all eleven candles. I included this picture because I was in it, since I am usually behind the camera. This summer has started out with such fun celebrations I don't know if we can keep it up.

Marianne has started piano and clogging and has gotten up early, dressed, and done all her jobs so she is ready to go. I love to see her excitement. She is excited to be growing up and learning more things. She is catching on so quickly since she has been able to watch Janae and Nathan. I hope that will make practicing easier. (We'll see.)

Visiting Grandma and Grandpa

With the children out of school and Randy getting a last minute break from work, we decided to take a trip to visit Randy's parents. We didn't give them much notice, and we didn't plan what to do, but it sure turned out to be a fun filled vacation. They and Randy's brother were great hosts. We roasted marshmallows and made s'mores with our cousins that live close by.

Katie Grandpa Janae

Janae Marianne

Julene Nathan

Randy Jared

Julene thought it was just like camping, and we didn't even need to sleep in a tent. (We'll see how long that lasts.) She stuffed the entire s'more in her cheeks. She had an interesting experience traveling this time. When we were 45 min from our house, she started asking if we were there yet. Our children have become better at traveling, but it still takes some fun car games. Janae and Nathan had us doing mad libs, while Marianne and Julene were coloring and looking at books. On the way home Julene fell asleep quickly and slept the entire way, even through the rest stop. When we got home she asked how we got home so quickly. We told her time passes quickly when your asleep. If it could always be that way.

Grandpa Noah Grandma Julene Randy Nathan

Grandpa also took the children out on the snake river in his fishing boat. This was sure a treat. Julene has been asking to buy a boat, since she has seen them in people's driveways. We told her that we weren't going to buy a boat, but maybe Grandpa will take you out on his. So now she got her wish.

Noah Grandpa Grandma Julene



Janae Emma Grandpa Marianne

We also got to play and spend lots of time with our cousins. Nathan and Sam worked on a fort and tried to make a raft to float in the ditch. They sure got muddy! We also got some plastic to water slide Great Grandma's hill. It's becoming a fun summer tradition. They went separate, in pairs, and threesomes. Julene was still sliding when everyone else was done. She is becoming quite adventurous. She watched the building that Sam and Nathan were doing, and spent a lot of time with Noah in the sandbox. Janae and Marianne just wanted to spend time with their cousins. I'm not sure what they all did but they were busy. We sure love being together. We're so glad we made the quick decision to go.