Whew! It's been a busy few weeks since we returned from our trip to Colorado. We packed in 2 1/2 days of soaking up every ounce of Chris's attention before he left for 10 days on a mission trip to Haiti.
Sara and Murph are getting rid of most of their belongings and will be enjoying the RVing life full time. While we were in PA they gave us this pool that was brand new in the box! The kids have used it practically every day!
Water balloon fun!
I think Chris is trying to use "The Force" to stop the water:
I love Owen's face waiting for his big sis to get dunked:
Owen and I participated in a local "Mother-Son Superhero Night." Unfortunately I didn't realize it would be a scavenger hunt walking around downtown in 90-degree temps. He was on his first day of being fever-free but just wasn't ready for all the walking. They matched us up with another mother-son team for the scavenger hunt and thankfully they were willing to finish it while we bailed and waited at the end.
It was a scavenger hunt around downtown but you got bonus points for taking pictures in various ways (on a slide, with rocks, in a trunk, with flowers, etc.).
The end of the scavenger hunt was being able to play at the Pinball Museum for free and getting pizza too! Overall we had a good time!
And we couldn't just walk by the Candy Store without going in!
The local art museum has a fun children's area that has activities that are different every time we've been. We had a good time playing around (all of us!!).
One of the art exhibits was pretty cool too!
We enjoyed "sun photography" at the library too!
and reading in their fun window seat while we were there...
The kids have been obsessed with dogs lately, literally screaming "DOG!!" every time they see one. We made a quick trip to the SPCA to check out the cats and dogs, even getting to hold some of the kittens.
We love the fountains downtown!!
Alli and I chilled in the shade while the kids played in the pool:
They played "Ms. Dayna" haha!!
Willow had fun at her "Kids in the Kitchen" camp every morning. They learned to make breakfast, lunch, and dinner items. Since the room didn't have a stove, they baked everything in the microwave in a mug. It was pretty clever what they made! French toast, banana bread, meatloaf, potato soup, fritata, fajitas, and brownies and also ice cream! Thankfully we got the recipes at the end of the week to enjoy making on our own!
Willow's menu she made the last day of camp:
Puzzle progress, in case you were wondering:
Lest you think like Kim and say it doesn't look very different (insert "teacher look"), let me point out these "large" groups of pieces put together:
These size "groups" make me jump and cheer!!
Mama braved a solo trip to Busch Gardens/Water Country with the kids and it went well. We actually opened BG (10:00) and closed WC (7:00)!! That's a first!!
We completed our local library's summer reading program. One activity was to draw your favorite part of a book. Here's Owen's picture from "Andrew Drew and Drew:"
Willow had to make a comic strip:
Owen and I did a little work in the garage (make sure the area is clean first!!):
Owen's project:
Mama's project:
Willow and I have loved playing games together this summer! It's been one of my favorite things!!
Dada got back just in time for us to watch Kim and Chad's kids overnight while they went to a wedding. Despite being outnumbered, we all survived and only watched one movie (heehee)! We made cookies, walked to the barn, explored outside, played in the pool/sprinkler, and the kids chased each other around the kitchen on the scoot toys. All the kids did great!
We ventured to the Murrays to enjoy time with them and visit Water Country for the final time. Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate for WC but did buy us lots of time to play together!!
We made it to BG for a few hours before we had to drive home. Thankfully it only rained while we were on the skyride and under a very large tree! Score!!
Sometimes you just need a ride!
Cooler temps mid-week didn't lend to enjoying the pool with Kim and the kids like we'd planned, but were great for enjoying our favorite park!
Owen surprised us with this!!! I think it was pure adrenaline!
Hunter is determined to do what everyone else does!!
Alli enjoys being close while Owen dries off with a good book:
The cooler temps worked well for spending a morning kayaking on a local reservoir. I think we're getting close to putting kayaks on our Christmas list!
Alli enjoys being close in an "Alli-sized box" while we play Clue:
