Fun Fourth

We started our celebration last night; DRIVE IN!! We watched Brave, and Avengers, and loved them both.  The kids had a fabulous time.  James loves to be able to run, and dance.  He LOVES the hotdogs, and drinks.  Isabelle wants the popcorn, and to be with the family together. We like to be outside and sit in our chairs, and even the car.  We snuggle and eat, and watch fun movies.  It is a late night for the kids.

Today, Bobby didn't go to work.  It is a holiday. We did work around the house, in the garden, and the yard.  Bobby has a great compost pile going on, and we are excited about gardening. The kids loved having Dad home to play with, read with, rough house with, and they laughed all day long.  It was beautiful to watch.  I love my family.

Day at the Lake

We are having such a fun summer.  Isabelle, James, Robert, and I packed a lunch (and got sandwiches from Subway) and took all our stuff to the park in Windsor.  They loved it.  I sat on the "beach" front and made friends with Monique, and fed my family lunch, relaxed and watched them swim in the lake.  Had a fabulous day at the park.

Look at me MOM

Isabelle wanted to go out in the deep; James close to the shore.

I'm Superman!!

My wonderful husband and kids.  I love them.

Isabelle is the most adorable little girl ever.  She looks at me and say, "Mom, you're beautiful, I love to look at you." She loves to dance, and sings all day long.  She made a wonderful 3 page treasure hunt that we all went on today, and then they went swimming.

James is my sweet little boy.  He loves telling jokes at the dinner table.  He has to be busy all the day.  He still loves Scooby Doo, and loves to wear a cape and pretend he is scrappy doo."puppy power" And "James Power".  He loves to snuggle, and read books.  His favorite song is popcorn popping, and he loves to dance. He loves to laugh, and he loves to play.  He also can through a good fit.  LOL 

My children make life more enjoyable than I could ever have imagined.

Bike riding

We have been bike riding, and visiting parks.  I'm just putting this all together for time's sake.  We went to a park in Winder that has a beach.  You swim in the lake, and they have a sandy beach area to play in along the shore, and you can take your boat, and other vehicles out on the lake.  We will go visit again and swim.
James talked to Bobby on the phone one afternoon, and said, "Daddy, I want to go eat and play basketball with you."  So, we went to eat and to the park to play a little basketball with Daddy.  They are so cute.
We have gone to the splash park a few times at Spring Canyon Park "the giant park" by our house, and we love to just ride around the trailer park (really this is a little nerve racking for me because of the cars that might come up the street), and the kids love to go swimming.  It has been a great summer so far, and we are having fun together.

Aquarium Day

deep sea diving

Isa and the mermaids

riding the shark

BIG BITE

James' way of riding the shark

playing with the lights

They loved the mermaid show



posing for the camera

shining shoes

Fun times

Today, after I took the Thomason's home, we went to the aquarium.  The kids just love it there.  James asks everyday is we can go.  He took a little nap as we drove, and that was fabulous!  When we walked in Isabelle said she REALLY needed to go potty, so I told her that the bathroom was just around the corner, to go and I'd hurry in and meet her.  So, off she went.  I was already talking to the ticket lady, and James was holing on to my dress when she went around the corning.  The ticket lady handed me my tickets, and before I could put them in my purse I look around and James had stepped onto the elevator and the it was going up.  The ticket lady said, "I'll run upstairs and get him, you go get your daughter".  So, with a little in trepidation, I ran into the ladies room and told Isa to hurry, we had to go find James.  She rushed out of there with me, and we saw the ticket lady leading James out of the elevator.  OH MY GOODNESS.  We had a long talk about staying with Mommy. 

The kids loved the big map of the United states and ocean and lakes.  They like to see the otters, and our favorite spot is a little beach area where they have live birds, and the water is clear.  You can spot many types of fish there, and we like to watch them play and chase each other.  Today we got to see the mermaids doing their show in the big tanks with the fish.  They played "under the sea" from the Little Mermaid, and the kids danced and danced.  It was so much fun to watch my little ones dancing to that song, and the mermaids were pretty cool too.  We made it to the end of the tiger show, so they got to see the tiger too.  Oh my kids are perfect.  They got an airbursh "face paint" on their arms, and petted the rays.  We got our soda, and went to visit a play area we hadn't seen before.  They had a great time climbing on the apparatuses that looked like sea animals.  A boy, probably 8 or 9 years old ran right up to Isabelle when he saw her and said, "Hey, you chase me ok?"  He ran while she chased, and he kept changing the rules as they went so where ever he got tired, was automatically safe.  Isabelle played for awhile, then she got the 2 girls that were there and convinced them to play games she made up.  It was cute.  I gathered them up, and off we went to the 4D theater.  they always have a great time at the aquarium. 

long day

Ive been keeping busy.  Isabelle is attending a "healthy kids club" and a "reading club" this summer.  I asked her what she was learning at the reading club and she said, "Mom, (with a little roll of her eyes) I don't think it's a learning class, we just read."  I was the only parent that was with their kid for the first 2 days of class.  But today, I actually left her for the whole time:  they have my number. 

We went to the zoo and the aquarium the other day.  The kids had a great time, but I was soooo tired. Robert used his new grill and we had hotdogs and salmon.  We have also been walking to the park, and the kids have been practicing riding their bikes.  Isabelle keeps saying she is old enough to ride her bike to school when it starts.  I keep telling her NO.

Drive In theatre

WE LOVED the drive in movies.  We watched Madagascar 3, and then the kids slept while we watched the 2nd of the double feature Men in Black 3.  Great popcorn, great family, great fun, who could ask for more.  I want to go every week now, I liked it so much.  :)

Summer School -- Africa Savanah

Africa Map

In  Summer school this week we worked on our addition, subtraction, and multiplication.  We practiced phonics, and we read books.  We also had a great time learning "Called to Serve", and working on a pioneer song.  We talked about the continents, and the difference between the United States, and the countries of Africa.  We spent most of the time learning about the different Biomes in Africa, specifically the Savannah.  We talked about the making of a Savannah, the animals of the Savannah, and even the weather patterns on the Savannah.  We made an Africa journal.  We are going to keep our journals for when we talk about the African Jungle, and Sahara Desert.  Even though we had a great time in the Savannah, I think that our best time was had swimming.

We're having a great time at summer school.

Savannah project -- lots of cutting, folding, pasting, coloring

Finished Savannah project

Update again

On stage before the big event.

Kirsten and Isabelle after their dances -- it was intermission.

1st day of summer school.

So, here I am catching up again.  I will post pictures soon.  We have been busy with Ethan's baptism and confirmation.  Mom and Dad came and we had a great time.   I love playing cards with  my parents.  Mom helped me around the house and planting in the garden.  Dad bought me some seeds and some summer squash plants. I sure did love having you here.  I've got to say that I'm glad when there's an excuse for them to come visit.  So, I'm glad Ethan is 8 this year.  Thanks Ethan for begin such a great example.  Thanks Beverly and Scott for the great food and fun times.

We also had a Dance Recital.  Isabelle and Kirsten were ADORABLE!!!  They did a great job and were so dang cute up on the BIG stage.  They led their groups and knew their dances well.  James loved the dancing, but ended up screaming so loud that everyone that knew him == knew it was him.  He wanted to leave the theater, but when Bobby got up to go with him, he started screaming because he wanted to go by himself.  Afterwards we all went out for burgers.  It was fun.  I'm so proud of my little ballerina.  She had a great time.

I also started summer school today.  We had a great time.  We began learning some new songs, practiced times tables, addition facts, spanish, and did some coloring.  We talked about the continents, and started studying Africa Biomes.  We had a great time putting up the calendar, and reading.  What a fun little group we had.  I loved it.

Update

I was hoping to keep more updated than this, but I guess I'll begin again.  I've had to wait awhile for pictures because I lost my camera, only to find it in the pocket of my coat.  HUMMMMMMM.....

We have been having a great time.  We signed Isabelle up for summer reading club and healthy kids club.  We have taken advantage of our neighborhood pool opening, and Isabelle had been learning to ride a bike with no training wheels.  i can't believe she's growing up so fast.  We haven't succeeded in potty training James.  We've been having great days outside in the beautiful weather.  Bobby is working hard, and learning a new programming language in the next few weeks... He's soooo cool like that.  He rides his bike 3 times a week to work (26 mile round trip) and is going to start doing it 4 days a week.  He's sooooooooo sweet, smart, and let's not forget EXTREAMLY good looking; I can't believe I'm so lucky to have him as my husband.

Today we went on a bike ride at the park.  Well, Isabelle and Bobby went on a bike ride.  I pushed James around for awhile, and then he played at the park while I tried to keep him safe and out of the water (this park has a water place for the summer).  It was too windy and chilly to play in the water today, and James has the art of fit throwing down!!!  We had several about not playing in the water.

I couldn't find Isabelle and Daddy, so James and I went home after about 1 hour and started dinner.  I got a phone call to come pick up Isabelle, she had an accident on her bike.  She has a skinned up knee (pretty good one too), a skinned chin, a fat lip, and a few bruises on her forhead.  She really took a tumble over her handlebars and off the bike.  It scared her and she was hurt, but she got back on and road all the way back through the bike paths to the parking lot.  Bobby said that just the thought of seeing her mommy and getting a hug was all she needed to get up and going again.  I love that girl.  I'm going to miss the days that just the thought of me giving her a hug and snuggling with her makes everything all better. Maybe those days never really go away.  I still want Mom to snuggle me and  hold me when I have a bad time at life.  I'm grateful for a mom who I always know loves me, and her hugs and love makes my world better.  Thanks Mom.

Mother Son Date

I have been doing Mother daughter dates with Isabelle for a few years now, and tonight I began the tradition with James:  mother son dates!!  We had a great time.  We went to Home Depot and ran up and down the isles, looking at all the cool toys.  :)  Jimmy Joe tried out all the riding lawn mowers, and even found the hidden key to one of them.  No worries, I caught it in time.  Jimmy Joe chose a flashlight as his fun item, and I have to admit it's pretty cool.  It's a glow stick (blue), a flash light, and a whistle all in one. I think that I need to have one too.  We went to Red Robin and ate a nice sandwich and fries.  Really James just liked the soda pop, but we had fun anyway.  Right now he's arguing with his father about needing to sleep with mommy.  He is hiding in the covers, playing like his flash light/ glowstick/ whistle is a train, intermittently yelling at his daddy that he isn't going to his room, he's sleeping with mommy.   I love him!!!

New haircut

Today was a plain, uneventful day.  We went to dance class, and did some laundry.  The best part was a new haircut!!!

Green Smoothies

I have decided to start making "green" smoothies for me and my family.  I have only begun this adventure, but we really like it.  The smoothies have passed the kid test, and both of them ask me for more every morning.  Now, I do put in 1/4 a teaspoon powdered sugar, and 2 TBLS frozen orange juice in my smoothies to help with the "kid" factor.

Yummy

Here my recipe:1/4-1/2 tsp. powdered sugar
2-3 TBLS frozen orange juice concentrate
1 to 1 1/2 cups water
one large handful spinach *I don't know how much that is, but you can see the picture*
one large handful Kale
Any variety of fruits and vegetable you'd like to try.
4-7 cubes of ice

I've tried: grapes, bananas, apples, oranges

we didn't really like the apples as much as we thought we would.  Isabelle said she would rather eat the apple by itself, not waste it like that.  She loves apples!!!!!  I buy them every time I go grocery shopping.

Things we want to try:  tomatoes, carrots, mango, kiwi

Fun times had by all.

Swimming and the birds

Today was a fabulous day for fun in the sun.  We put out our bird feeders:  Jimmy Joe is in charge of keeping the wild bird feeder full, and Isabelle is in charge of the humming bird feeder.  Jimmy and and I made a mess and spilled the bird seed, but Isabelle did a great job making the nectar for the hummingbirds. They both had a great time eating snacks, and digging outside while watching for birds.  We got some at Jimmy Joe's feeder, but no hummingbirds yet.

After a great nap (not me of course), and some school work, we went swimming.  The Mulbberry pool is fun because it has a slide, and water spouts.  It's shallow enough for the little kids to play.  It went quickly, and back home we drove to feed the missionaries, and listen to a nice sales guy.  Fun times had by all.

Putting up the birdfeeders

2 birds! Yea!

This is what my table looked like.

Fun turning on and off the water

And the fight began

My cute girl.

Fun little slide, and water spouts

I'm Tired

I'm Tired.  I say this because I've been chasing James around all day.  First we went to the skate park, at the "giant" park, and rode out scooter and bike.  James wanted to climb and slide on the skating apparatus, throw his bike, toss the scooter at Isabelle, run away from Mother, jump into the "swimming pool", and hide under the picnic table so he didn't have to get his diaper changed.  We finally left, with him screaming that he didn't want to ride his bike, and he didn't want to go home!!!!  When I asked what he wanted to do, he screamed louder.  WE TOOK A NAP!!!  Well, I didn't, but he did.  Isabelle and I read a book together, began her spelling activities, and she played starfall.com on the computer.  I did dishes, and then gladly took a break when Beverly called.  James was more playful and fun after his nap, and we packed up and went to Aunt Bev's to play with Kirsten.  They had a great time ... Bev's is beautiful in March (It's beautiful anytime of the year).  Joslyn and Ethan came home from school, and I baked them all cookies.  I convinced them to say I was their favorite aunt by bribing them with cookies, but they continued to insist that ALL their aunts were favorites.  Oh well.  Alana woke up, so we went outside and took pictures of the kids.  When Bev got home, I went and got Bobby from work, cleaned up my mess at the church,  and cooked dinner.  My wonderful husband then told me to take a break:  a large hot relaxing bath.  What a peach he is.