Summer Fun: part one

After the first three days of summer vacation, Brandon announced, "This is the best summer ever!"  I don't know if we can keep that momentum going all the way through August, but I am SO with him.  We have had a GREAT summer break so far.

Swimming

We have spent LOTS of time at the pool.  It has been fabulous.  The first couple of times we went, Caroline stayed on the stairs the whole time unless Andrew was carrying her.  Even though she had a life jacket on.  But now she's warmed up to the idea of swimming.  It's cute to see her motoring all around the pool.  Except the time she tried it WITHOUT her life jacket on.  Scary.

Grasshoppers Game

The early June weather was fabulous.  In the low 80's most days.  Enjoyed it as much as we could because we knew the hot, sticky, humid weather would get here eventually.  It has now.  The night we made it out to a Hoppers baseball game was perfect.  Well, the Hoppers lost.  But everything else was wonderful.

 The kids got to play with Yogi Berra, one of the official bat dogs,

when we picked up our tickets.

High fives...

and autographs before the game.

Steeeee-rike

Miss Babe Ruth and Master Yogi Berra in action.

Fireworks night!

My Birthday

Celebrated my big day with dinner at Bonsai.  Yum.  And then cheesecake here at home.  Double yum.  

I'm looking pretty good for 60, don't you think?  :)

Andrew got me a new board game.

Ryan and Destinee introduced us to "Ticket to Ride."

I'm hooked.

Father's Day

 Is that steak I see on the grill?

And chocolate cake for dessert?

Must be Father's Day or Andrew's birthday.

Some gifts Brandon made for him. 

 Grateful for such a fun and loving Daddio.

Science Center

This is one of Care Bear's favorite places to visit.  Whitney is OK with it.  Brandon is so over the science center.  But, we went anyway.  And we ALL had a great time.  

A keeper feeding the howler monkeys.
She told us they were the loudest land animals in the world.
What do you think?
We were thinking elephants or lions might be louder.

Brandon, the goat whisperer

Looking manly with Indiana Bones

Petting a guinea pig

Making friends with a tortoise

Summer Reading Activities

The library always has fun activities during the summer.  Again, poor Brandon is kind of growing out of them.  But I don't want the girls to miss out.  So we drag him along.  Sometimes with a friend.  So they can play Magic or look at Lamborghini books while the girls and I enjoy the shows.

Owl prowl:  We got to learn about birds of prey.
A Great Horned Owl

A super cute little Eastern Screech Owl

 And a Red Tailed Hawk

Also went to a magic show.

The girls nabbed front row seats.

Fish the Magish.

More of a comedian than a magician.

He cracked us up and we had a great time.

Yep.  Summer pretty much rocks.  We've also been to a couple of movies.  The big kids are taking piano lessons from me.  And all three kids are doing home summer school.  Love, love, love this time of year.

End of the school year 2012

School is over!  We officially have a last-year-of-preschooler, a 3rd grader, and ....drum roll please... a middle schooler in the house.  (I'm telling myself this is exciting!)  The kids had lots of fun end-of-the-year festivities.  I felt most obligated to help out with Brandon's activities, especially since I've heard that volunteer opportunities in middle school are minimal.  Unfortunately, one of his activities interfered with Whit's party, so I missed that.

 Caroline's end-of-year party was supposed to be at a pool.
But it got rained out.

So instead, we got to visit with a horse.

And went to an art studio.

 Each of the kids got to paint a masterpiece.

The next week, they had an end-of-year

 preschool program.

 :"Hi, Mom!"

Cute stuff.

The end of the year also meant that Care Bear
had her gymnastics exhibition.

Unfortunately, Andrew and I were busy cruising.
And missed it.  Boo.
Gigi and the big kids assure us that it was really cute.

 On the uneven bars.
I think.

This is all I got of Whit:

 walking off the bus on her last day.
She had a great year in 2nd grade.
LOVED her teachers and made some great friends.

They go all out for the fifth graders.

Brandon's class had a pizza party and class auction one day.

The bidding was intense.

 Caroline liked hanging out with the big kids.

Brandon received an award for getting

straight A's all year.  Woo hoo!

Another day they had a hot dog lunch.

We had planned lots of fun outdoor games for the kids.

But the weather (once again) didn't cooperate.

Mostly everything could be done inside.

We just had to improvise a bit.

And, boy, was it LOUD in there.

Cookie face challenge!

 You have to move a cookie from your forehead
into your mouth
without using your hands.

Brandon was SO close!

And then it was time for...Graduation!

Good-bye, elementary school!

 It was a great year.
He had two of his best friends in his class.

And a teacher that he liked.
And SHE liked him in return.
Which doesn't always happen.

He'll miss Coach Taylor--one of his
very favorite teachers.

 Care Bear was excited to congratulate him.

Phew.  After our week of rest and relaxation on the cruise, we were thrown into a super busy week right when we got home.  But at least it was fun busy.  And we can relax during summer break, right?  Ha! Not in this family.  :)