The House That Jim Built...

Jim was off for the 4th of July weekend and this is what he did...

That's a campfire by the way (in that little circle)

He made three differnt types of these Lincoln Log houses over the course of the four day weekend and he even let the kids get in on it too...

(I love that above photo)

And those were the houses that Jim built.

Basement dwellers...

Now that summer is in full swing here in the midwest, we're taking full advantage of our basement and sleeping in it!  The kids of course love it.  Me?  I could take it or leave it.  I prefer my own bed but do enjoy being with everyone.  Usually it's Jim who is down with the kids because he loves the coolness the basement provides.   For the past several weeks the kids trod down there at bedtime and begin the routine.  We even let them 'mix it up' recently and sleep in forts which they did all last week. 

No pictures to post so you'll just have to use your imaginations here...Matthew and Sara were under the foosball table, and Ella Jane was under the mini-game table.  And then there was the secret entrance and the bed for her unicorn.  Jim and I slept in the beds.  No floor sleeping for us if we can help it.

This last week the kids participated in a nature camp and had a lot of fun with paper mache, coloring t-shirts, digging for fossils, going on hikes etc. 

This week Matthew took part in a camp for kids who qualify for the gifted and talented program.  He enjoyed the extra challenge that program provided him this year at school and was very excited about this camp which is held at the University.  (It was nice for me because I dropped him off at 12:00pm and Jim brought him home at 5:00) :) 

He attended two classes; one was about French cooking, the other was about rockets.  He learned about customs, how to set a table (it's different, did you know?) a few French words and songs and then celebrated with a French meal on the last day.  In his rocket class he made a couple types of rockets; one of which included an acutal lift off into the sky; parachute and all.  (The rocket, not Matthew)  Seeing him participate with these new teachers and friends gave me a glimpse of how he has crossed another threshold of growing up.  He jumps right in and is comfortable with his surroundings.  When he was younger he went through a stage where he was very frightened of large groups and certain types of outings.  It looks like he has overcome that which I'm glad about.

This next week is somewhat quiet for us.  A few playdates here and there but for the most part we're home.  I've finally tackled the tile part to my bathroom project.  Turns out it's not as hard as I thought it to be.  Actually each stage has been that way; because it's all new to me it all seems so hard, and then when I get right down to it, it's really not that hard afterall.

Now I'm just rambling.  Other stories to tell with pictures to share.  Like how I shot a bow and arrow, a shotgun and a pistol last weekend, and pictures of Matthew's rocket, along with the tale of the race the kids and I participated in.  Those to come...

She's all girl...

We have three kids and one of them is a boy but I wouldn't categorize him as "all boy."  He's never been heavy into cars, or trucks, or sports or stereotypical "all boy" behavior.  On the contrary, Ella Jane is

"ALL GIRL."

See her playing soccer?  In her skirt?  Yep, when I told her to go get dressed for soccer she came down in this skirt.  Sidenote~ I had just laid it on top of her skirt pile since it had been burried on the bottom for quite some time and I missed seeing her wearing it.  It didn't cross my mind that she'd choose it for soccer.  And as a bonus, it had purple sparkly sequins in the pocket so she had to wear it.

Doesn't look like it hindered her though.

Her soccer camp is over and she really enjoyed it and I loved having the chance to just sit and watch her.  The other kids got to stay at home so it was a nice time for her and I together.  She tells me she wants to do it again next year.  Consequently, so does Matthew!  Maybe we'll have two soccer players on our hands afterall.

Where we've been...

Ahhh, summer.  Time to have a little fun.  We had some family come into town recently and as a result, headed off to the big city.

First up was one of the river cruises.  This was a great way to see the city up close without all the traffic.  The kids enjoyed the boatride and I enjoyed photographing this lovely soon-to-be 5 year old!

We saw parts of Lake Michigan~

Had fun swimming in the hotel~ (except not this one b/c it was just for adults and deserves to have a really large picture b/c it was so beautiful)

Had fun sleeping in the hotel because really, what child doesn't love a few nights in a hotel?

and last but not least we LOVED the Children's Museum.  If you ever find yourself in the windy city, it's worth a stop.

The stage she's in...

Wanna know why I took this picture?  See all those fingerprints at the edge of the table?  Those are from my Sara and she puts them there just about every day right before she says "mom, watch!"  and proceeds to hang from the table.

It's the stage she's in.

Noted...

Matthew pushed his sister again the other night and how else to explain that kind of behavior isn't acceptable than with a hypothetical?

After which Matthew very seriously looked at me and said (and I quote) "that would never happen." 

(I know dear.  It's a hypothetical and  I'm aware that your classmate probably wouldn't just take your pencil, but let's just say she did...would you push her?)

This coming from the one who also woke up the other morning, opened the garage door (to which the outside garage doors were both open) and exclaimed "doesn't the garage look just beautiful this mornin'"?

In his defense the sun was streaming in and the kids had helped Jim wash the cars the day before so they were nice and shiny, but it made me laugh just the same.

Just the way I like it...

It's been a beautiful Memorial Day Weekend here in the midwest; if only we had some nearby cousins to share it with!  We have had fun as a family though and would love to share what we've been up to~

Ella Jane has finished up her preschool year.  She's so excited about Kindergarten now and trying to make sense of time as she has the whole summer to go before she is "officially" in elementary school.  Matthew has about a week and a half yet before he is done.  He told me today he is "asi-asi."  (He finished up a Spanish Club at school a few weeks ago and often uses a few Spanish words to get his point across.)  He's happy for the end of the year, but sad that it is over.  My sensitive boy he is.

Sara turned two while we were out in Seattle.  She and I took an unexpected trip out there last month to attend a funeral for one of my uncles.  We had a party Seattle family style; aunts, uncles, cousins, the whole shebang.  It was fun to be around everyone for one of those events because really, it's usually just us and a few friends.

Ella Jane is signed up for soccer and she couldn't be more excited.  She keeps talking to me about her pink shinguards.  This is the first time any of our kids have been in a sport.  We're all excited to watch her.

The kids and I are entered in a local 1&4mile run in June.  Grandma will be here and they are thrilled that she will be cheering them on.

I've been making some tremendous dinners as of late.  And cleaning up afterwards.  That says a lot.  I don't always make the yummiest meals and I don't always clean up.  But Jim has started his doctarate program so we've had to be a little more on top of things to keep everything moving smoothly!

This morning the kids and I had a WONDERFUL time at the nature center.  We got an early start and thankfully it was pretty cool~ no humidity.  We finished a hike that we had started but not had time to finish back in March.  This time the kids were braver going across the suspension bridge.  And so was I, I must admit.

We stopped to throw some rocks in a pond.

Then kept on hiking.  I carried Sara a lot of the way but she also handled it pretty well on her own.  Just look at her mastering this bridge!

And what hike wouldn't be complete without a snack and a water break?

We had a lot of fun and the kids love going there.  After our hike we went inside and explored all the fun thing they have for us there.  Now it's quiet time/rest time at our house and I broke away from a game of Rush Hour to put up a post.  Ever played it?  Matthew and I are masters.  We really love it.  And it's a fun way for us to connect with each other.

Summer will be here before we know it and we'll get in on all the sleeping in we can, trips to the library for FUN programs, time with Grandma while she and Grandpa visit, swim lessons and of course a little soccer!~

Lately...

I've seen a lot of lying down reading from all the kids; but really mostly Matthew; he likes to read this way and I like it because it reminds me of being a kid.  Do you ever see adults read this way? 

We had an early out this week and would you believe me if I told you that this is how Matthew and I spent the afternoon?  EJ was at school, Sara was napping and it was just Matthew and I~ and our books.  So peaceful.  Just lovely in fact.

I've been doing some demolition work in our house and Ella Jane is all over it.  (And yes, those are her pajamas and yes, it was the middle of the day.)

Look at her go!  She's my project girl.  Love having her as my right hand.