Full...

This is a great word to sum up our summer thus far.  We've had our share of visitors and I am always so greatful when friends and family come to visit us.  We of course had my mom and Chas. come in June and then just last week several weeks ago now as I started writing this post earlier this month! we  were very blessed to spend time with two families that are very dear to us.

On a side note, this is Sara at the park yesterday.  She's wearing a new dress and shorts and socks and a coat if I'd let her.  She's into the layers these days which crack me up.

But anyway...

The first were friends from California.  The four of us all went to undergrad. together in WA, she was my college roomate, maid of honor at my wedding, and close friend ever since.  They have two kids about the same ages as two of our kids and the week they were here it was  HOT!, HOT!, HOT!  We spent a lot of time outside in the water and generally just having a good time.  Sara was my partner in crime in college and we hold dear some very special (and crazy) memories from that time.  So glad to get a chance to reconnect with her family.

Later that same week we also enjoyed the company of friends who live in Maryland.  Jim and I spent 4 1/2yrs. there before we moved back to the midwest and the move away from MD was one of the hardest things I've done to date.  We left behind some very special friendships so to hear that this family was coming to visit was a real treat.  Patsy and I took a lot of adventures with our kids when they were young.  Up to D.C. a lot to take advantage of the museums, riding the train, and then exploring locally around us as well.  We've logged a lot of time in her van and I was more than thrilled to see it pull into our driveway with her husband and now 7 year old son.  Weren't our boys just two the other day???

So I guess being in the middle does have its advantages.  Well, and knowing people on each coast who are willing to road trip in the summers!  Thanks to you both for stopping by for a few days.

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On another note, this is what our deck looks like just about every afternoon/evening.  Strewn in towels and/or swimsuits.  We are loving our little kiddie pool on the back deck and who knew the kids would end up enjoying it as much as they have?  We've had it for a few years and use it every summer but this is the first time they've played for more than just a few minutes at a time in it.  Thanks to our CA friends who ran out and got goggles for everyone, they now put their heads in and our oldest now SEVEN (we had b-days last weekend) is really taking to the water.

Here is Matthew earlier this week at swim lessons.  This is his first go at a sport or activity of some sort and it's amazing to see his confidence and independence soar.  He's loving it.

C'mon now, look at this kid!  Just this summer he's started to get that long and lean look.  I'm loving it!

Last weekend the big kids turned FIVE and SEVEN.  I'm on board with Matthew being seven.  But five is such a big age for Ella Jane.  She starts Kindergarten in the fall and to see her beginning to print is a whole new world for us.  I can't wait to see what she does with these new skills.

Well, to wrap it up; in a nutshell, it's been a very full summer.  We've had a lot of fun with camps and lessons and family and friends.  I've also (and I think the kids have too) loved having themes to our weeks.  It gives  a bit of focus to the day and some learning time too.  Next week is all about the Art Museum, artists and styles of painting.

As Promised...

pictures I eluded to a couple of posts back.  A few weekends ago I had the opportunity to spend the day learning new (to me) outdoor skills.  Like shooting a bow and arrow.  Firing off a pistol.  Shooting a shotgun.  Trapshooting.  Fly fishing.

Have you ever done any of these things?  Neither had I until a few weekends ago.  And what FUN I had learning something new and challenging.

By the way I had bruises from the kickback and a sore arm the next day from all my hard work!  I hit a bullseye and a jug of water 50yrds. out.  So proud.

Success with the bow and arrow.

During the month of June the kids and I ran in a local race.  The first ever for them and I was excited for their experience.  We picked up our packets together and made sure everything was ready to go for the morning.  Here is Ella Jane decorating her race shirt because when I ran my marathon I remember bystanders cheering on a few girls ahead of me by name (they had their name on their shirts) and I thought, mmm....I could sure use a shout out right now too.

Sooooo, I had Ella Jane put her name on her shirt.  That way everyone would know who she was and cheer her on.  Well, turns out her number covered most of her shirt but it's the effort that counts.

We ran our races, the kids and I.  Did I mention it was pouring down rain?  Yep, started raining as we pulled up to the starting line.  Kids ran in the early downpour (and mostly had fun doing it...it was a mile) and my race was postponed 45min. becuase of the incoming storm.

Long story short, we all; my mom and stepdad included because they ran the kids race with Matthew and Ella Jane got d.r.e.n.c.h.e.d.  And if we were in Seattle we'd be chilled to the bone.  But the nice thing about midwestern thunderstorms is that it's usually pretty humid and the rain is warm and refreshing.  So, as soaking wet as I was I wasn't too miserable.  (but the kids were because even after their race was over they had to wait until mine started which means they got really wet too.) 

Highlight?  Ella Jane got her very determined little runner self pictured in the paper.  Very cute if I do say so myself.

And last but certainly not least, Matthew.  I mentioned sometime back that he was in a summer camp and that one of his classes was about rocketry.  Here he is with his very own rocket that actually got shot up into the air.  He was so excited.  "Mom, take pictures!!!"

I couldn't say no to that.  I love the one of him running to get his rocket after it landed.

And that my friends is what happened to us a few weeks back.  So much more to share about our current week and 4th of July.  All in time I suppose.

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.