Hurricane Harbor

We had a great time with a bunch of friends at Hurricane Harbor today. One of these years I'm sure we'll get passes, we are so close and it's sooo nice on a hot day. Water slides, lazy river, wave pool - we hit it all. I love to just sit in the pool watching my kids play - it's a happy place.

Got there early with the Schoeni fam.

Michelle came with Jonah and Ashton! We haven't seen enough of them this summer, hopefully at least once more before school starts.

Ellie and Audrey glued at the hip as usual. Audrey went on a big slide with Leah and Ellie and loved it.

 The first time I had to push him, but once I did Cole loved the little water slides.

 More slide fun

 And more friends!

Not a ton of photos because water parks, kids, and cameras aren't a good mix, but it was a fun day. So thankful we got to go this summer. A bonus is all my kids were fast asleep by 8pm, and I watched The Way, Way Back which is like the best summer movie ever - especially after spending the day at a water park.

From Our Week

We had our usual Tuesday pool day with friends from church. That night a summer walk. I need to end evenings like that more often, it was so nice.

Our air got fixed. Garage door fixed. Brought me back to my apartment manager days waiting around home for these guys, but the kids love to play at home with their toys - my living room is a mini-Legoland.

Checked out a bunch of books and movies from the library, then some back-to-school shopping. Oh man this kid was not this happy at Target except for when he said "take my picture with the puppy!" But now everyone has shoes and some school supplies.

Ewwww gross we bought these! Tyler says they're good. I don't know if I can try them.

A little more shopping today at the mall, plus Tyler's been begging for snow cones since school got out (and snow cones make us happier shoppers.)

Sometimes at the end of gymnastics they have extra time and will let the girls climb the rock wall. Audrey loves it and can get pretty high.

Tomorrow we spend the day at Hurricane Harbor!

Last Minute Dad Day

Adam ended up with a surprise day off today, (they didn't have the script ready I guess - he's back on set tomorrow.) It landed on a good one because he's about to go into six straight 12 hour days. Basically we'll see him again on Sunday. He really is one of the hardest working guys - not only on set, but with his coachings, workshops, and writing. Today I had Ladybug so he took these crazies to the zoo. Apparently all the animals were awake and doing awesome things. They were out all morning, I even had time for a pedicure.

Adam also planned a great Family Home Evening tonight, then took Tyler to Ant Man, which Tyler has been dying to see. I'm kinda jealous as I'm home with the younger ones watching Happy Feet Two (although we did end it with a pretty good dance party.) Grateful for this dedicated dad.

This Week

The rooms are still a big deal. We are organizing and switching over closets. Got a couple things for the walls. Donated a bunch of little kid toys. It's like big spring cleaning. The cute thing is how much Audrey is taking care of her room now - she makes her bed every morning (which used to be a struggle), sets up her dolls and toys. You can tell it's her special space. We had to invite Ellie over to play in the new bedroom. These two played Barbies and My Little Ponies for quite some time.

The boys' superhero room is looking good, too, and if you come over there are Legos all over the living room because we decided to organize them, which might be the dumbest idea ever. I'll help organize them this one time - then I'm done.

We swam a couple times. The pool is one of my favorite places. A big thank you to all our friends who invite us for swim days. Cole finally figured out he can float without me! That was huge this week.

We hit our usual library, grocery shopping, gymnastics. Kids had piano lessons. Audrey got her last cavity filled. We also spent quite a bit of time at home with the bedrooms and a few house repairs. It was kinda nice because I played games with Audrey (not the best sport, that girl), puzzles with Cole, legos with Tyler and he showed me his favorite Ninjago episode. Also this was awesome until it backfired because someone "didn't know how to play right!!!!" but the kids got dressed up and put on a play (well, half a play and then the emotions!!!

Fort with an Ewok, watching Star Wars.

House repairs got a little stressful today dealing with our owners (I swear we will not rent forever!!!!) Escaped to the Minion movie. It was super cute, and those minions can sure cheer you up. Also dark chocolate helps.

Lucky to have this little family of mine. Looking forward to our last few weeks of summer break together.

End of the Week

Camps are done! Carpool almost did me in by Day 5. Adam is a champ driving the boys so much, surviving a flat tire with five boys in the back, and crazy Friday afternoon traffic. I was on girl duty, and these three are pretty special. It was fun listening to them talk and sing about a zillion camp songs in the car. They had a great week - nature hikes, science (built a robot and rocket, made slime), ice-cream from scratch, friendship bracelets and knots, games, songs, crafts, skits, water play, and more. Their leaders seemed really nice, they had a blast.

A few more photos from Tyler's week. He came home with so many requirements filled - it's awesome! Archery:

Crafts:

BB gun shooting:

Boys testing out a Mars rover:

Today it rained!!!! And this little guy slept awesome last night.

Adam and the kids met me at Menchie's after Ladybug, then we shopped a little for the bedrooms. Organizing tons of toys, and now trying to find the motivation to grocery shop.

Firsts

First night in his big boy bed:

First night in her own room:

Hope it's a good one!

Day with the Cub Scouts

Yesterday we went to cub scout camp with Tyler. Cole came along because they offer a "tot lot" for $5/day, which is basically preschool camp so parents can volunteer.

I am very impressed with this camp. The family who runs it is amazing - so dedicated to the boys. The campgrounds are awesome. Would absolutely recommend it to anyone, and hope to sign up again. Tyler's having a great time.

Opening exercises and flag ceremony. Tyler's den did the flag ceremony yesterday, so that was cool to see.

Me and Becky - so glad she was with me. We were assigned the woodworking station which I'm not very good at, but she is very crafty so we figured it out. The boys made airplane birdhouses and bookshelves. The theme of their camp this summer is "Take Flight".

Tyler and our super cool den chief, Riley, who was assigned to our station. Older boy scouts come and stay for the week to help the boys.

Tyler's den buddies - Xander, Dewy, Ian.

Adam volunteered at wrist rockets and bb guns. We all ate lunch together. I treated Cole to some sugar at the Trading Post, a little shop they set up so the boys can buy small treats.

We were covered in dirt from head to toe after camp! Check out this kid. He was barely holding it together since he skipped his nap.

All the boys from our pack after a long day. It was great to spend the day at camp with them. Adam's heading back again tomorrow.

Also today, while our little girl is at camp, we are finally doing this:

Room swap has begun, and part of our house looks like a toy store exploded. I have a crazy hand cramp from organizing legos into new storage for the boys. Might take some time to get it all in place, but it's our project the next week or so.

Camp, Takes One and Two

This is crazy camp week! Tyler's week-long cub scout day camp started today. About 6 boys from our pack are going, plus a couple leaders. He had a blast on day one. They do woodworking, crafts, swimming, BB guns (big hit), archery, sports, cooking, and more.

Cute campers and carpool friends, exhausted at the end of the day:

Camp #2 for these girls. Remember the fire that cancelled camp? Well the girl scouts gave us the option to get a partial refund, or transfer to another nearby camp. Kallie and Presley decided to go for the new camp, so Audrey wanted to, of course. Makes for quite a bit of carpooling, but when I picked these three up today they were giggling and telling me all sorts of stories from their day, so I think they had fun.

Something about scout camp seems so old school and refreshing, like spending time outdoors, singing songs, doing crafts, playing games in the fresh air. I think it'll be a nice week for them.

Rest of the Weekend

Finished up swim lessons - kids did great!

Watched a ton of Shark Week.

The newest Annie soundtrack was most requested, even by Cole.

We made Audrey's favorite strawberry freezer jam for all the "Utah bread" we have.

Super nice weather, hardly turned on the air.

Taught Ladybug demos.

Audrey ice-skaing with the girls for Presley's birthday:

Lazy day at home meant fort building:

And kiddie pool water play:

Ended the weekend with Harry Connick Jr. at the Hollywood Bowl with our wonderful friends Amber and Paul. They were some of our very first friends when we moved to LA. So happy we are not only still friends, but live about a mile down the road from them.

It was an awesome concert! Harry is seriously the real deal (second time we've seen him at The Bowl), and I love any concert that reminds me of my music roots and years of music school and studying. He was the jam, and so was this nice date of mine:

Tomorrow Ladybug summer session starts, as well as a week of scout camp for Tyler and Audrey, and a bedroom switcheroo. It'll be a busy one, but we're ready!