Week #4- Garden

After all of the craziness of last week, we are in survival mode. I am still attempting to do our themes but life is overtaking us a little. In my best attempts to make summer "fun" for my kids and me too, I'm trying to stay focused on these themes, but it's not without struggle.
Last week, we stayed close to home. I got the kids some bug bubble wands which they played with a ton! We watched our "Tink" movies and "Bug's Life" a few times. We read bug books and enjoyed playing in our garden in the sprinklers quite a bit. We did have visitors one day Ellen & Aaron who colored little window butterflies. We also got out to see some friends Clara & Beckett and made some little fairies over there. Friday we headed to my sister's to try and help her out a little. We enjoyed a bug game called "Cooties" and some crafting over there as well.
My biggest attempt was to try and make a project with Vivi or rather finish a project. Nana had made her a fairy garden for her last birthday and we were missing two of the fairies houses so Vivi and I would try to sneak in ANY time to paint and add elements to Fawn's and Iredessa's houses. Sunday we finally finished our garden. We had a little time to play out there before the summer rains came back.

Week #3- Princess/Toy Story- VACATION!!!

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Yesterday late evening we returned from our week three of summer which I themed Princess (for Vivi)/Toy Story (for Isaac) and really VACATION for everyone!!
We headed down to the coast with my sister and her family. We spent the better part of a week down there in a cute cute condo. Saturday we headed and stayed with my mom-in-law on the way to break up the trip. Sunday we arrived at the coast late afternoon and after sorting things out hit the pools and out for some dinner. Monday my sis and I hit the grocery store early while the boys kept the kids. When we returned we all hit the beach. Immediately we were met with an onslaught of seaweed. WOW! The kids still did really well. I was shocked that my timid girl was all about getting in there with this! We all came back for lunch and naps and then we took the crew all of us back out to the beach. It was much better in the late afternoon. I really enjoyed making sand castles and gathering shells. Tuesday morning we woke up and tried a different route. We took the kids to a small bay to do some fishing. It was a bit muddy but I think the kids really enjoyed it. They again were all so brave picking up the live slimy fish and loving them a little too much at times.
Tuesday afternoon was when things went really bad. On the way back from an errand my sister, Isaac, and I were in a real bad car wreck. Another driver turned right in front of our mini-van and I t-boned him. My sister suffered the worst of the injury breaking her ankle. I got out with a scratched forhead and a heck of a lot of shock. Isaac was just stunned, but all was okay with him. This accident took the rest of this day with a trip in an ambulance across the island to the er and unfortunately also took our minivan. (It was totaled.) Fortunately, as I'm trying to focus in on this, it could have been much worse. Emily and I were both checked out and treated. Tad joined us in the hospital while Nick corraled the kids. We got a rental and eventually made it back to the condo. Emily was such a sport through all of this ordeal.
Obviously, this changed the course of the rest of the vacation. That night was pretty rough and the kids woke up real early. Nick took our's down to the beach to catch the sunrise. Later in the morning, my sis, Tad, Chloe, Vivi, and I headed to the pool. Nick napped with Isaac. Em quickly figured out how to maneuver a luggage rack like a wheelchair and covered her cast so she could lounge by the pool with us. Fortunately, we had meals and food so we ate in. In fact, Tad cooked for the kids that night and Em & Tad still allowed Nick and I to go out alone. The girls had fun decorating Em's cast with princess stickers and doing toenails. Thursday was our last full day, and in great form, Em was up for a big day. We head to town to hit some shops. The condo lent us a wheelchair which helped. Then we actually went to a drive on section of the beach. We got Em to the beach and she propped up in some chairs while the girls stayed close building castles. The boys hit the water more as the seaweed was a lot less here. Then we packed up and went out for lunch to the cutest restaurant. That evening we traded off and watched Chloe so Em & Tad could go out for an evening fish run. Friday morning we got one extra hour for check-out and in an effort to make the most of our time, we headed to the ferry across the way to another fishing spot. Em & Tad had discovered it the night before and Em could just be propped up in the back of their truck while the kids explored all the hermit crabs and fish we caught. Then we headed quickly back to pack up and hit the road. WOW!
Friday we stayed again with my mom-in-law. Saturday we headed home and tried to get unpacked. Sunday we are recovering but we did get to enjoy "Toy Story 3" as the last part of our theme.

Week #2- Farm & Fruit

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My apologies for being a bit behind on the blog. Two weeks back we had our second week of summer and we focused on animals on the farm and fruits on the farm. As mentioned towards the end of my last novel (or previous blog), Vivi had worked hard to earn a bag of ponies which she received along with a new pony shirt she got to sport on our first night leading into farm week. She had LOADS of fun playing with these! Monday we enjoyed early openings at the zoo with our cousin Chloe and Aunt Em. We focused on farm animals there and enjoyed a carosel ride as well. Monday night we enjoyed our first big fruit-watermelon. Warning, you may pass out from the cuteness of these shots! Tuesday we headed to the farm to visit my dad's horse and any other animals we could find. Vivi again sported another new horsie shirt. She picked this one out! Wednesday we headed to the library to get books and watched "Charlotte's Web" with a friend. We also spent some fun times playing in our playhouse full of farm fun (leftover from Isaac's last birthday!) Thursday we ended up laying low as well. I took the kids to the local farmer's market and we got some cherries for our upcoming trip. Then we headed to the mall to cool off and play with some farm toys. Friday I considered taking the kids to a local farm where you can pick your own peaches, but we had lots of packing to do and laundry getting ready to leave on a trip. In addition, God richly blessed us with a nice surprise- a yard full of apricots! We have had a lovely apricot tree in the back that has not produced any fruit in the five years we've lived here until now! We headed out back to pick up two bucket fulls of apricots! In the afternoon, we were joined by our good friends Amelia and Jillian. We enjoyed making the letter "F" with froot loops and played in the sprinklers and of course ate watermelon!! Happy Farmer/Fruit Week!

Summer Themes begin-Transportation/Community Helpers

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Welcome summer 2010! We started our first week of summer themes this past week. We decided to repeat some of our themes from last summer, but try some new things. This week was transportation/community helpers (ex. firemen, policemen, etc.) I must say, I hope this week was not indicative of the summer because it did not run smoothly! Oh well, this is probably God trying to pull me out of my comfortable "A" personality and learn to be content with whatever He throws my way!
Last weekend we had a bit of a cheat and took the kids to Chucky Cheese with my parents. I caught a few pics of them on transportation vehicles there. Great day!
So...Monday was Memorial day and so I really started our theme on Tuesday. Tuesday I woke up and said let's go to a local transportation museum. I just happen to check my e-mail that morning where a friend told me it had closed. I called to confirm and the number was out of service. So...okay plan B. We headed to the gym so mommy could work out and thought I'll take them home for nap after and then out in the afternoon. All went well there. Kids fell asleep in the car and both awoke as soon as I pulled in the drive. Fine, let's eat home for lunch. Then we had some car races in the hallway with some dollar bin cones I found. Lots of fun! Isaac went down for a nap while Vivi read some transportation books. We got up early afternoon and called Nana and Papa to see if they'd like to join us for a the local train ride. We got all packed up, got our sonic 1/2 price drinks and we're off. Get to the train depot and they're padlock closed! I didn't call first this time-big mistake! I also didn't bring my packet of info- second mistake! I call a friend to find the number. Call up the depot and basically, they opened for Memorial day so were closed today. Okay...plan c. We head downton to Firestation #1. This was probably perfect for my kids- young ones! We let them run around this free circle museum. Vivi, Nana, and I played a game where she got an M&M for every transportation she could name and it was loaded with them! Finished her bag. Then I thought let's walk to Barnes & Nobles and let them play on the train tables. We get there- no elevator (that we could find). Take them stroller and all on the narrow escalator to the kids area-no train table! AHH! So...we just head home. Both kids pass out on the way home. All in all, a frustrating day and it's the first "official" day of themes!
Wednesday was Vivi's last day of school so her class heads to a cute indoor play area with lots of ride on cars. Lots of fun! Also, that afternoon I get the kids all decked out to wade in a new outdoor pool I got and play with some toy boats. It looks like rainstorm big time the second I open the door. Fortunately, God held it off long enough for some good play time outside, but that night the kids are up half the night with storms=tired mommy!
Thursday my sister comes with my niece and we make cookies to take to the local firemen. I didn't make time to get cookies before the morning, and EVERY packaged cookie has soy in it (Isaac is allergic) so I go for the one with a possible trace of soy hoping it's okay. We head to the fire station and the entire crew other than the captain is off for training somewhere else. Fortunately, he still gives us a tour which is fine. We head out for some lunch. In the afternoon I take the kids for a little playtime outside. Vivi has her bike and she and I painted an old ride on pink motorcycle to look like a firetruck. Isaac loved it! Daddy makes a foam firetruck with Vivi that night.
Friday morning I planned to go to the racetrac across town for a tour. Even though I couldn't convince anyone to join us, a friend offers lunch and "Cars" the movie afterwards. I call my friend with the kids loaded and packed up to head across town and she asks if I've called the speedway yet. "Why?" I ask, because they have a race this weekend! What do you do? I go ahead and go to my friends for a storytime at her local library and we hang at her house afterwards and watch "Cars" and eat lunch. Thanks for the sweet times Shawna!
Saturday, is our annual garage sale so it's daddy duty. Nick tries the museum again and finds it's their last day open and kids are free but adults are $20 bucks and their auctioning old cars. Not in need of a car so he passes and takes them to the train. Thank goodness it's open today! No camers for pictures, but still lots of smiles!
Today...I give Isaac a transportation puzzle. He and Vivi have fun playing. Vivi is planning on helping daddy wash the car to earn some money towards a bag of ponies. Can you guess what next week's theme is?

Rain, rain, come again!!

I had to post this before summer got going too much, but I might have missed that window. Hello triple digits! Anyway, not too long ago, we had a beautiful afternoon rainstorm and while brother napped, Vivi and I enjoyed some good times together. She was reading a book about an apple farm and so asked to make applesauce. We had just enough apples so we enjoyed doing this. We might even repeat that this week! HMM! After that fun snack I let her play outside for a short bit, but I think the lightning scared her so mostly she just stood on the front porch in her rain coat. What happened to all that rain? COME BACK!!

Tiny Dancer

Vivian has finished her first full year of ballet. They had a beautiful concert which was quite lengthy but really cool. The entire program was really sweet. The music was all worshipful. The entire concert really had Jesus at the heart which was great! The woman who runs the program gave a mini-testimony during intermission which was really inspiring. Vivian did a great job really "performing" which I was shocked by. She looked precious in her costume and enjoyed the flowers, trophy, and visitors, and maybe getting to have cheetos with Nana and Papa after might have been her favorite part. At the end, I asked her how did you feel performing. Her reply,"Mom, I was smiling because I was happy." What more could a mom ask for?