In full swing...

June is nearly over and summer is in full swing here.  Since moving to the midwest it has become one of my favorite seasons.  Actually when we lived in Maryland we had hot humid summers as well and spent many a fun afternoon racing through our big (flat!) backyard and jumping in our kiddie pool.  I have really fond memories of those summer days.

The midwest is more of the same except our backyard is on a slope so we take advantage of the slip n' slide as well as the pool.  The pool sits on the deck making it a perfect spot for kids to play while I make dinner.

During the summer, I break the weeks into themes because my kids I thrive on structure.  I find that it helps to have something to look forward to and helps bring more order to the day.  We've done frogs, and butterflies/insects so far. 

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Next week we'll tackle rainbows.  These themes mostly include art projects, fun little snacks and related books from the library.  Sometimes they include a field trip like last year when we studied art and then went to the Museum of Art.

This was one of our snacks from this week.  Ella Jane's is on the left, Matthew's is on the right and Sara's is below.  I gave them those three supplies and they had to make a butterfly out of it.  What I love is that all three came up with something different.  What I love even more is that none of them are what I even had in mind to begin with!  Creativity and art at it's best.

 Thanks to our Parents as Teacher's gal we've been playing with Flubber as Matthew is demonstrating below.  He's using a straw to blow a big bubble.

 

We've been having learning time...and fun time...

 

 We've been running (and winning) races.  Congratulations to Ella Jane for taking 1st place and getting her first ever trophy!

 You didn't think she'd give up her style for a road race now did you?  Heavens no.  She was playing bat and ball with the Jim today in the yard in her summer dress, frilly headband and dress shoes.  Too bad I didn't have a picture of that!

 It's been a busy month for sure but we seem to do well when we have a few activities to get to.  Looking forward to the start of a new week.

A different take...

You don't see me too much on this blog.  I'm not against pictures.  I love them, and love being in them.  But I'm usually the one behind the camera.  Until now.  I'm trying to get out from behind it, relying on my timer or an extra child to snap away for me.  I want them to see that I was there too!

So, here we are Matthew and I watching a movie in 3-D.  They are all the rage right now as I'm sure you already know.  Thank you to Ella Jane for capturing this moment for me.  I  enjoyed my time with him doing something he really loved.

Sara took this picture of me when we were getting ready for her party.  She's a big 3 year old now.  It was fun to have her help, and it was fun to take a minute to capture that moment.  I love these two pictures.

This one I took of her and she is so dang happy!  She's barely containing herself.

Every day there is playtime in the basement.  This is led by Jim, not me.  I'm not so good at basement play and usually let them all have their time down there by themselves.  But the other night I snuck down for a few quick shots. 

There is a game that the kids play nearly everyday.  I think they call it 'catch'.  Jim is on one end, kids on the other.  They have to take turns.  Jim has a ball (each child has their own ball and is ready for their turn) and says "Go!".  This means they need to race up to him all the while being ready to catch the ball that Jim is about to throw to them.  They catch it, throw it back and go back to the end of the line.

They love it.

Looking forward to more of these kinds of pictures.

New experiences...

Our time in Seattle was filled with a lot of new things for our kids.  Things they don't get to experience here in the midwest.  Not because they don't exist; surely there are plenty of farms with tire swings and horses around, we just don't know any of the people that farm them.

And my aunt is not a farmer but she lives "in the woods" with a horse and a tire swing. 

Ella Jane was smitten.

I can't say she had the most fun because I think Matthew had a lot of fun too but he needed a lot of coaxing before he was ready to take the plunge.  When it comes to new things he is very cautious and many times will opt out.  I'm glad we were able to force put him on the swing so he could give it a try!

He had a great time once he was on.  During the time we were in Seattle, Will and Kate got married and after I saw this picture if reminded me of all the ones I'd seen of the royals waving!

We also had a lot of fun jumping on the trampoline.  As has been our routine in the past, we get picked up from the airport and go to my aunts' house for lunch and playtime.  The girls were sick but still had a lot of fun and it's a great time to be free after being couped up in planes and airports for 6 hours.

Did I mention this trip was full of new things?  It was.  We don't have any animals here at home but different family members have a few.  Sooo, my kids get a dose of what it's like to have a pet whenever we visit.  Matthew cozied up to Sydney and it was sweet to see his endearing side.

 

Thanks Aunt Mary for taking the afternoon to play with my kids.  They loved every minute of it!

At the shore...

These pictures all speak very well for themselves and tell the story of how our day went.  Lots of exploring and new experiences for the Gunn kids as we do not have the advantage of salt water here in the midwest! 

Just the smell of it, the site of kelp, the water ebbing and flowing brought back wonderful childhood memories and I have no doubt that if I still lived in the NW you'd find us at the shore.

The picture of Matthew staring out into the distance is just perfect for capturing "him".  I kid you not, he stood there for roughly 30min. watching the water come up to his boots and then go back.  The girls were busy turning over rocks and looking for crabs.  Matthew wanted to watch.  I finally decided to sit and watch him a moment realizing he was having a lot of fun just simply standing.  It was a pleasure to witness.

All those little kids in a row are cousins.  Matthew is the oldest at 7yrs. and then they all stairstep down from there.  One every year.  The youngest is two.  Oh the fun all those little kids had and perhaps that was the most enjoyable part of the trip for me; to see my kids race around with their cousins just like I used to do with mine.  Love the memories they are making.

More installments to come.

Hiatus...

We took a trip to Seattle and back.  I'm not sure what is easier, kids on a plane that are sick and subdued, or healthy, energetic and fighting.  Both have different challenges for sure and both happend on one or more of our flights. 

Always an adventure when I'm flying alone with the kids.

Jim welcomed us home very well; snacks for our cherubs when he met us in the airport, clean house for me and a chance to shower and put my feet up while he took care of kids and dinner.

Now, we are getting back to the central time zone, the heat, and filling up the fridge.

Suyets; looking forward to sharing pictures.  Haven't seen them all yet, but some are pretty cute.

Sick little chick...

This one was sick over the weekend and this is what our day looked like yesterday.

Lots of snuggling.

Lots of resting.

And lots of bowls by beds...just in case.

Sara...

She thinks she's pretty hot stuff too.

This girl. is. amazing...

She is so very determined.  Weather was in the 70's today and thanks to an early release from school we had plenty of time to play outside.  Naturally, Matthew wanted to ride his bike.  Ella Jane thought perhaps she'd give the 'ol bike a try too.  She's never really ridden it much, nor had the ability.  It's pretty heavy.

But, today was the day when she wanted to ride it without the training wheels and so I took them off.  And she set to it.  About every 20min. I could see her getting to a new level of confidence and skill.  A little bit of balance here, a little pedal there.  By the end of the day she had it down.  Balance, corners and everything!

Holy cow.  We're talking determined here. 

When she first started she was in tears within 30min. because she couldn't ride it.  I calmly told her that perhpas it would be a good time for a break, etc.  Nope, didn't want any part of it but did take my suggestion of getting on her scooter for a minute so she could feel the balance.

Before you know it, she had it.  I mean had it!  I'm still so surprised at how quickly she learned this rite of passage and loving how much she is smiling about it.

I tucked one proud, happy and tired little girl into bed tonight.

WELL DONE LADY!