Another Book and Movie

Audrey and I both loved reading The Wizard of Oz together. Tyler read with us here and there, but most of the time it was me and her. It was a really cool read, interesting for me to see what was different from the movie (like the slippers weren't ruby). This version is abridged, but perfect to read with kids and the illustrations are so pretty. Thanks Amber for letting us borrow. (I borrow so many things from Amber - what would I do without her?!) Tonight we watch the movie!

Last time was Charlotte's Web.
Next? The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe. Or Peter Pan. Adam's been reading Harry Potter.

Summer Week 2

We hit the pool every morning this week for swim lessons and swim time afterward. Got nice summer tans going on. Cole was my little buddy, in and out of the pool.

Today was our last day of lessons. Kids are swimming! Heads under water and all. Celebrated with our friends and a poolside pizza party.

Other stuff we did:

Adam took the kids to Monsters University.

Audrey had Jazz/Tap/Ballet class.

Tyler, karate.
Drank Yummy water.

Primary Scout Activity night and ice-cream sundae party.

Adam and I snuck in a date night - Superman! 

Kids played with Uncle Mikey, Veronica, and Danny (Mikey and Veronica are engaged!)

Water play in the yard.

Lots of playing with toys, coloring, and reading.

I also feel like I've done a lot of how-to-survive-summer-together training. Like, dirty clothes go in the hamper (not the floor!), how to get your own snack, put your dishes in the sink, grocery shopping the four of us, screen-time balance, speak kindly to your brother/sister, negotiating treats vs. healthy food, and all that fun stuff. Takes a bit of retraining for all of us. Nice week!

Morning Read

This is where I found him at 7:30am. I guess any spot is comfortable when you're reading a good book.

Golf + Ice-Cream

Our first Saturday off in quite some time! Spent the morning playing mini-golf. Then Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour. Mmmmm. Very nice day.

Two Summer Cuts

She loves the purple so much. Still growin' the hair out.

He does not like his hair spiked, but compromised with this. We'll see if he lets me style it this way tomorrow.

 

The Past Week

It was Father's Day! We sure love Adam. What would we do without him? Day started with green smoothies and cinnamon rolls. Ended with shish kabobs on the grill. Just our little family. Mmmmm... still love my blender, too. Any excuse to use it.

For Father's Day Adam got bar stools for our kitchen, finally. Oh, and a new car. A newish Jetta to replace the old one (first car we ever purchased together is gone - sad). Adam was in an accident - no one was hurt, just stay off your phones in the car. Reminder for me, too. New Jetta is nice though - moon roof is a big hit.

This is how we're spending our summer days: Swim lessons! Swimming has been pretty dramatic for my kids in the past. I'm sure I've blogged about it somewhere. (Here's one for ya.) Well my friend Kalli has Ms. Janet come to her neighborhood pool to teach swim lessons, and offered Tyler and Audrey a spot in Ms. Janet's line-up. It's been awesome. Huge blessing! Big steps for my kids. Putting their heads underwater was a big fear and they're doing it! I am so proud of them, and they're proud of themselves. Tyler even came home and wrote in his journal about how proud he was of himself for finally putting his head underwater after his first lesson. We go every morning for the next two weeks - afterward we stay at Kalli's pool and swim 'til Cole tells me it's time to nap. Great way to kick off the summer. This is the best shot I've gotten so far because I try to stay out of the way so Ms. Janet can do her thing. Audrey swimming in the deep end:

Tyler's back float starfish

The car and swimming have taken up most of our time this week. Went to the library and got loads of books. Tyler is reading so fast these days, want him to keep it up this summer. Audrey went to a friend's birthday party, picked up new dance shoes for summer dance class. Playing legos, playdoh, princesses. Cole's favorite: sword fighting. I'm on a Ladybug break 'til after July 4th - wahoo!

Random funny shot of our fridge. Yes, we do love watermelon, but I'm sure we were going to a couple barbeques when I shot this:

This was funny. Went to Darby's baptism, (gave a talk actually - I'm the first counselor in primary and am loving it even though sometimes it's been quite some work). At the party afterward Brooke's mom gave Cole this bag of Honey BBQ Fritos and he was obsessed. Turned into demon child if anyone threatened to take them away. Cried his eyes out when it was time to go to bed and he hadn't finished the bag. Brooke's mom even gave him a bag to take home (because she's a cool grandma like that). He just wanted to sit and eat his BBQ Fritos and no one better touch them, or else. I told him he's lucky because I don't think Tyler and Audrey even got to eat Fritos 'til they were three or four. Luck of being the third kid I guess. Frito eating is very serious business.

Week continues with more swimming, Tyler has karate, maybe hit the park, or have a friend over to play. This is summer, so far.

Rest of the Day

Spent the morning at the park with Audrey's Pre-K class. They sang some songs for parents, then played and picnicked for their last day of school.

Audrey and her two wonderful teachers, Grandma K and Grandma B. Thankfully we go to church with them, so we'll still see them. Love them so much!

Audrey receiving her "award". Grandma K made them all lunch, and gave them a bucket of goodies, treats, books, and a photo album for each kid filled with photos she took of them during the school year. Amazing!

Audrey and one of her best buds, Sydney. Lots of play dates with these two this summer.

These two handsome guys were there.

After school swim party with friends. Snacks, hot dogs, popsicles, and swimming 'til 8m! Kids did great in the water. Good start to the summer.

Last Day!

First grade. Dressed himself in his school colors today. (First day here).

Pre-K. (First day here - same shirt!) This is currently her favorite outfit, would wear it every day if she could:

Oh man, she is ready for Kindergarten. Look out!

Happy last day of school!

End of First Grade Picnic

Got to join Tyler and his awesome first grade class for their end of year picnic today. I spent a lot of time with this group during the school year - helped with reading groups and taught some music. Such a great group of kids, and of course we love Mrs. Adachi. Here's to a great year - hoping 2nd grade will be more of the same!

Mrs. Adachi and her kiddos.

These three were playing ninja tag: Jason, Tyler, and Naz.

Bubbles with Tyler and Jessica.

Kaden and Tyler. Snow cones were a big hit!

Great park right by their school has a little water park.

Audrey tagged along with the big kids and had a blast. She can't wait for her turn with Mrs. Adachi in another year.

Three more days 'til summer!

Watch!

Maybe you're watching the Tony Awards tonight - but Adam's show premiered on Nickelodeon this weekend, and is on a bunch today, so if you have a tween check it out! He's on the first episode, too - in disguise. Go Sam and Cat!

Poor Thing

Cole had the hardest day today. Who gets a fever in the summer?! This kid is hardly ever sad, so when he is it's pretty heartbreaking. Today became all about taking care of our little guy.

Also Audrey performed a puppet show to cheer everyone up. And played countless rounds of Ring Around the Rosie, and London Bridge Is Falling Down - Cole's favorites.

In other news we resigned our lease last night. We've had a really good year here. For all that I hemmed and hawed about moving further out, its been a great move for our family - couldn't be happier. Ready to take on another year!

Trophy!

He did it! This was Tyler's big goal for the year - hit 150% of his reading goal all three grading periods. Once he heard he got a trophy for achieving that goal, he was driven. I guess a trophy holds a lot of weight for a first grader (plus he loves to read so that helped). Award ceremony was today, and he finally got his prize (which included a free ticket to Six Flags!) Super proud of this kid - and I can tell he's very proud of himself, too.

Cherry Pickin'

Went to Grandma and Grandpa Tait's yesterday to take full advantage of their awesome yard, and ripe cherry trees. Soon they'll have raspberries, tomatoes, corn, peaches, plums, and apples, too. Came home with a big ol' bucket of yummy cherries. Kids ate plenty while they picked. Plus we got to hang out with grandparents.

We picked three bucketfuls.

Little man, cherry juice everywhere.

Girls Only

I went to the beach! With wonderful girlfriends. And no kids!!! To celebrate Tina's 30th birthday.We stayed 'til 8pm, chatting all day, then dinner at The Habit. I hadn't spent a whole day away from the kiddos in a loooong time. Well-deserved, and much needed.

Lovely Brooke, Amber and Tina. So fun hangin' with these ladies for the day.