pool

frog park fun

it's a jungle out there

First

I took my first-born, on our first-ever school shopping trip, in anticipation for his first day of school (which is in 3 weeks!!!).

First stop was Target.



Then we headed to Red Robin for lunch.



With some other stops in between, we ended at McDonald's for an ice cream cone and a little play. (I try not to be really grossed out by those places, by the way.)



I was a little worried in the beginning. We dropped the other two off at Grandma's house and Maddox wanted to stay. He said he gets to be with me all the time, but only gets to see Grandma sometimes. I tried to tell him this would be different and somehow, he was finally convinced.

Well, when we were sitting at McDonald's having our ice cream cones, he looks over at me and says, "Mom, I had fun with you today. This is better than Grandma's house."

Yup, that made my day. (Sorry Grandma, but seriously, this NEVER happens!)

birthday zoo trip

We took a trip to the zoo this morning. Ava wanted to go on Monday, but the weather didn't cooperate, so we went today instead. We also didn't take the stroller so we could ride the tram. The kids have been asking to do this ever since we got kicked off for having our big stroller on there one time (explain that to my crying 2-year-old mister tram man!). Anyway, that was a different day. We road the tram, went to the jungle, took our traditional penguin picture, and went home when we got too hot. Daddy met us for lunch when we got home, so we ate on the front porch. The weather has been unusually cool around here lately, so we've been taking advantage of that. You have to, it's Kansas!

riding the tram...yeah, it was tight. this was the best I could do!

I never get tired of this sight. They always hunch down together at the penguins. I suppose one day they won't do it anymore.

Ava wanted her picture taken by the 'pad thingies'.

Oh, and look down. I just added posts of the bunk beds, VBS night, and Ava's birthday. Enjoy!

the cake

So, Ava wanted a sally and pony cake. Wasn't sure how that was going to work. I got online and showed her a bunch of pictures of pony cakes. She didn't want a pony-shaped cake, just one with ponies on it. I had the idea to put a rainbow on it, then I remembered seeing this. The cake part was a surprise, so when I cut into the cake, EVERYONE was surprised. That was fun!

Rainbows and ponies

It was Ava's 4th birthday today. Hard to believe. She was quite content being the center of attention, too.

We had tacos outside, accompanied by Kansas wind.

Inside for cake.

Ava got to open one present before her party. Her party outfit!

Look at Kade's face.

Bunk

After countless layers of paint, the bunk beds are finally finished!

This is the best I could do with a picture. Their room is too small!

visitor

We had a visitor this weekend.
Wall-e.
He's known for chewing...EVERYTHING. So, I was a little hesitant...wondering what we'd have to replace. Other than barking a lot in the beginning, he did pretty well. I think Bella enjoyed the company.

I know it's blurry, but it's still pretty. I have Zinias all over in my garden this year. Love their vibrant colors.

I thought this looked like Monet...

VBS Night

The kids took their dad to their VBS program tonight. Kade was sick, so he and I didn't get to go. I don't think we'll be going to VBS tomorrow either...

Exhausted

It's VBS week here and it's been going well. The kids have been fun, my helpers have been crazy, but fun, and things have been running smoothly, for the most part. Only one more day to go!



Everyday after VBS I get home, feed the kids and put them to bed. Then I get to work on these...Let's just say, I am ready to put the paint away...unfortunately this isn't my last painting project. Ugghh!

Three Fish

It was our Sunday to head over to Brent's parent's house for pizza. After I spent the afternoon setting up for this week's VBS, we went over early to play in the pool. Maddox has graduated to a bigger life jacket, so Kade has his old one. And with that change, Kade thought it was time for him to start swimming on his own. He made his way around the pool many times, swimming from person to person. He was quite proud of his accomplishments. We got Maddox to take off his life jacket and practice swimming without it. He has done this before at the water park, as you aren't aloud to wear life jackets, and he's gotten pretty good at it.

Busy Saturday

We are all getting new beds this year. Our bed was first. Now it's the boys' turn. Maddox helped Brent all morning long. He asked when lunch was ready, many times, but stuck it out for the whole morning.

Testing it out.

For supper, we headed to the Kansas Electric picnic. Luckily it was at a park/water park, so the kids were able to play.

Spraying worms

Today we got our the worm sprinkler for the first time. I believe Ava got it for her birthday last year, so at least we used it before her next birthday...barely. I've been hearing all week that the last half of the week was going to be crazy hot. I thought, a perfect opportunity for some sprinkler time. We got all slathered in sunscreen, bathing suits on, and we headed to the backyard. About 5 minutes later, give or take a few minutes it started raining. What happened to sunny and HOT. It was neither. The kids were okay with the rain, but then it started thundering, so we headed back inside. Pretty sure it stopped as quickly as it had begun, but we had already moved onto our next event for the day - playdoh.

Fortunately, we did make it back outside after naps to enjoy some more sprinkler time and, finally, some sun.






Well, I'm all caught up now, so if you didn't see it before, go back to May 18 and work your way up. It's all there. Not pretty, but there. I hope I don't get that behind again. Oh, and sorry that I am anal and need to have my posts in order. You just have to go back!

Corn coming out of our ears

Today we spent the day over at Brent's parent's house. His mom, Jessica and I cleaned, cooked, cut, and froze 30 dozen corn cobs. It was a lot of corn, but we did employ some child labor.

Greats

Brent's grandparents stopped in Kansas on their way to the mountains this week. We were able to spend an evening with them over at Brent's parent's house.

Please bear with me

You'll have to excuse my tardiness on the blog updates. I've fallen behind A LOT! And it is SOOOO hard to get caught up. I'm working my way there, but you will just have to bear with me. I will be caught up one of these days!

For now, you'll have to head back to May 18. Yup, I was that far behind. So, take a stroll on back and get half-way caught up with our family...sorry, I know, it sucks...

sunny day

We swam in the "big" pool one more time before it gets dumped. We enjoyed a picnic afterward.

Happy 4th

We spent our 4th of July playing, working, and eating. Our Sunday School class had a picnic. It was beautiful weather and the kids had fun romping around the Mac's farm. I hope they didn't damage any of their crops!

After the party, we headed to the fireworks show. And, believe it or not, it was actually cold!...Kansas weather.

For supper, we attempted to roast hot dogs over the fire. It was a little warm for the kids. I don't think they enjoyed it as much we or they thought they would, but it was an experience. It was a little windy, so we headed inside to eat our supper, instead of the planned picnic in the backyard.





Brent and I had been planning a surprise for the kids all week. We could hardly keep it to ourselves any longer. We got the kids ready for bed and sat them down on the couch. We told them we weren't going to bed, because we were going to pile into the car and go watch a movie. They were so excited, but I don't think they knew what was really happening.

We got in the car and headed to the drive in! We all had so much fun. Brent and I joked that we don't usually go see a movie that starts at 9:20pm, let alone with the kids, but it was worth it. We sat in the back of our van and ate popcorn and other snacks and watched the new Ice Age and part of Up, until 12:15am! Yup, all three kids were awake. Although, once we started the drive home, they were pretty much instantly asleep.

The start of a holiday weekend

We started off the holiday weekend by getting our slightly bigger pool out of the shed. The kids had a blast. Now our old pool (which, to me, isn't much smaller) is our "tiny" pool!

the zoo?

The kids and I headed to Hutch this morning to meet up with my mom2mom group. After many u-turns and phone calls, we arrived an hour late to the Hutchinson Zoo. Let's just say it wasn't AT ALL worth the drive. It was about the size of my big toe and it had possums...need I say more. The kids did have fun though, so that was a plus, but I don't think I'll be making the drive back to Hutch anytime soon!