day 60 of summer

Day #60:  Tuesday, July 22

It was day 2 of VBS around here.  Then a quick trip to the library and to the gym in the afternoon wrapped up our day.  It was definitely a hot one so lots of time inside!

I spy Ellie today...

My kiddos visiting me at craft time during VBS :).

They also got some slushes after VBS on this hot day!

Here's a look at what our garden currently looks like...that jungle is producing lots...we have cucumbers, peppers, hot, HOT jalepenos, yellow squash, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, beets, and collards producing right now.

We also got a new Lilly bloom today!  Beautiful!

day 59 of summer

Day #59:  Monday, July 21

This week is preschool VBS at church!  Both E&E get to attend, while I am volunteering in the craft room, and Avery gets to hang out with the "big" kids in childcare.  It was a great first day for all of us!  It's way different then the big kid's camp Avery was in back in June...a lot smaller and these little kiddos are just so cute!  Evan's favorite part of first day..."the art room because I got to see mommy" {no I didn't pay him to say that ;)}.  Ellie's favorite part..."dancing". 

I spy Evan...

Then we did a little bowling {we almost have everything marked off our summer bucket list!}!!  All 3 kids bowled this time on their own...well Ellie kind of quit during the second game and the boys finished up for her.  Evan came out strong in the first game with several spares!

Then the boys tied it in the second game!

A fun afternoon!

day 57 & 58 of summer

Day #57:  Saturday, July 19

We had a great day spending time together as a family.  First, we finally made a trip back to the zoo.  Current favorites at the zoo...snakes, penguins, elephants, tortoises.

Yes, this is Ellie pushing her 5 1/2 year old brother in the stroller.  Nope, Evan has no desire to walk on his own when there's a stroller available :).

Then we took a family bike ride all the way to the "lake"  park...it's about a 6 mile round trip that Evan made all on his own bike!!  He amazes me!

When did he get so big?

We ended the night at the drive in!  We watched Earth to Echo & Planet of the Apes.  Evan made it 30 minutes into the first movie, Ellie made it 45 minutes in, and Avery only lasted about an hour into the first movie {last year he stayed up for the entire first movie}.  I only made it through the first movie...Ryan has to watch the full two movies...no matter how many of us are already sleeping ;)...at least a minivan is comfortable to sleep in!

Day #58:  Sunday, July 20

After a late morning, church, getting ready for VBS at church, and a trip to Walmart we came home for a relaxing afternoon.  This means pjs on by 2 pm :).

Ryan spent the afternoon making soft pretzels and chocolate bread pudding {my favorite!} with this little helper.

This happened today....our last booster chair is leaving the kitchen.  Ellie hasn't used it for awhile, but she told me today to put it away.  No more babies around here :(...we are onto a new season.

Ended the night with a family wiffle ball game!

day 56 of summer

Day #56:  Friday, July 18

Today we had a some fun playing with friends...

Then we went swimming in Kelsey's neighborhood pool...thank goodness for heated pools!

And thanks to Kelsey who played hooky to make this happen :).

You may want to close your eyes now if you are in denial about school starting again........aka if you are a teacher ;)......

Yep, it's a few weeks early but I LOVE school shopping and couldn't hold back anymore.  Look at my kindergartener in his backpack!

Can't you just smell all those new school supplies??

I thought Avery always took after me more, but Evan was the one who wanted to play with the school supplies when we got home...maybe he really is my child after all :).

day 54 & 55 of summer

Day #54:  Wednesday, July 17

For Wet & Wild Wednesday we got to go to a friend's house for lots of backyard fun with obstacles, water balloons, water guns & popsicles!  We are so blessed to have wonderful such wonderful friends to make memories with!

Then when we got back home I decided to make a apple pie that Evan had been asking me to make {later that little boy refused to eat it and said he didn't like apple pie...stinker...oh well I love pie :)}.  No my pies don't look pretty, but they taste good.

It was a great afternoon with baking, the kiddos playing nicely outside in more beautiful weather and some country music playing...perfect!

Day #55:  Thursday, July 18

Today we finally had Yes Day!  This is where if your kiddo asks you a {reasonable} question you should answer yes...instead of the no we often say as parents.  It just makes for a fun day for the kids.  I did lay down one rule...we weren't going anywhere or making purchases.  We did have a fun playdate that morning with friends, but other than that most of my kiddos yes day was about asking for foods they wanted to eat at meals.

There was pancakes {Avery's request} & pizza wraps {Evan's idea} for breakfast.

Lunch was mac & cheese {Avery's idea...no he doesn't get too crazy with his food} & ice cream & popsicles.

There was some root beer for snack and then dinner was mac & cheese again {I think you know who requested this} & pizza...Ellie just kind of went with whatever the boys wanted.

Then the other fun part about Yes Day was that they could get out whatever messes they wanted {mainly make a large pillow fort} and not have to clean any of it up.

They ended the day by asking to say up late and watch the Lego Movie with Ryan {I was at Bunco}.  There "late" turned into everyone being in bed by 9:45.  I guess I have some "wild & crazy" kids ;).  They however thought Yes Day was awesome and it really wasn't that much different then a normal day for me...it was a win-win for everyone!

day 52 of 53 of summer

Day #52:  Monday, July 14

For Make a Memory Monday we took a trip to Science City at Union Station.  This was the kiddos first trip there and I have to say they LOVED it.  It was lots of fun and we need to go back again soon!  

Then the Planetarium happened...maybe it was too much of a good thing already that morning...whatever it was things were going great with the whole movie on the ceiling thing until about 30 minutes in when both E&E thought they both had to hold my RIGHT hand, but didn't want the other too...which lead to a mini fight and then an all out 3 year old melt down from Ellie...that in turn lead to us having to leave the movie before it was over and take a kicking and screaming child directly to the car.  It was awesome :(...we will have to try that one again...especially for Avery who was really enjoying it.  Oh well, these moments just prove that us mom's can handle anything...and everything doesn't go perfectly in our little world.

Ended the day on a good note...enjoying some BEAUTIFUL July weather playing soccer in the backyard.

Day #53:  Tuesday, July 15

Today, didn't really follow our normal Thinking Tuesday routine, but we were able to get outside a lot today to enjoy 70 degree weather...love it!

A trip to "little park"...

Ellie said her baby doll wanted to play in the sand...she also swung with her baby..she's a good mommy!

Then we headed to the Arboretum after lunch for free day Tuesday...lots of people were there enjoying the weather.

Look we found a new fairy house!

Then some craft time to go along with our latest chapter book The Little House in the Big Woods {we are loving this book...can't wait to read the whole series!}.  We made cute owls ;).

Evan always with "Pug" or "Pugamonga" as he always calls her these days...

Avery made a ninja owl and a bad guy owl...not sure how this really fits...but we'll go with it :).