Went to the fair

We went to the county fair tonight. It was hot and humid, but so much fun. The midwest humidity is going to kill me.  I hope to post pictures tomorrow after I get our laundry done and house scrubbed.  I am trying to get us all packed up and ready to go down to Nauvoo this weekend.  We are hoping to see the pageant Friday night and then do temple sessions on Saturday morning.

Wish you all could join us. 

It's swimming time

Christopher Robin is learning to swim.  He is taking 2 weeks of swimming lessons at City Park pool.

Yesterday he learned how to breathe under water like a fish.  He did it two times he said.

Now that is an important skill to have and makes these lessons worth every dime we paid.

I wish I could breathe under water like a fish, don't you?

Learning to kick.

I think the most important skill I have is to get Christopher Robin through all the levels of swim classes long before he is old enough to realize that his teacher is cute and scantly clad!

A little while ago

When Christopher Robin went to visit his Grandparents in St George, he was given a spectacular gift:

this BIG monster truck.

It was from Uncle Jabe.

He spent an afternoon driving it into "muddy ditches" and

over the "really big cracks."

It was really fun until Dad got an itch and a twitch and

had to have a turn at the remote too.

This made Christopher Robin a "really big sad."

So...

Dad gave back the remote and

even

 fixed the loose tire.

But I have a feeling these trucks are only going to keep getting bigger!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summertime

Summertime at our house looks like this:

Two sweaty kids covered in sticky sand

 having a great time.

 Sand washed off and ice cream eaten.

Freshly dressed, but taking a swim in the pool.

 Aren't brothers great?  They know how to put water in the pool.

 A hot Christopher Robin freezing his blanket.

 Ten minutes later it comes out so nice and cool!

Only about 6 good weeks of summer left.  Can I bear for it to be over so soon?

Simple yet splendid

 

That's how we like to have Family Home Evening at our house; and this Monday night our Family Home Evening did not pale in comparison to other weeks.

The title of our lesson was "I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints"--yes we had a title.

For part of the lesson we went up to the church and Jace "hunted" for where it was written on our church building.

He also got to "hunt" for a treasure that I had hidden earlier. 

He found a white paper bag hidden in a sprinkler box in the lawn.  It contained melted M&M's and fruit snacks.

We headed home, it was past 9:00pm and dark. The kids were quiet in the van, happily eating their treat.  Ryan suggested we drive around.

While driving, this large toad hopped across our path.

Luckily it didn't get squished.

Ryan couldn't resist giving Robin and Rue a chance to see it up close.

It was a hit.

Now how could Family Home Evening be more splendid than that?

Beef Days

 

The small town of Solon, Iowa had it's Beef Days parade on Saturday. Let me just tell you--ya'll missed out!

Despite the light rain that came down, it was a pretty awesome small town parade.

There was lots of waving to do, and Jace spent most of his time picking up candy thrown from the floats that passed by.  I mean loads of candy.

Here are some of Jace's favorite "floats" -- big machines.

Ryan told Jace a tanker truck would be in the parade.  I thought it was a long shot, but here it is!!


Gracie scored lots of BLING. They passed out necklaces and she was thrilled.

Here Jace is counting all the little tactors pulled behind the BIG tractor.

But most importantly--look at all the LOOT he collected. The sour Kraut we got had to be the best of all. 

How often do you get kraut at a parade? I think only at Beef Days in Solon, Iowa!

Busy Tuesday

Tuesday morning was busy for me.

I got up early to shower and get dressed for the day. I then fed my children a good little breakfast. While they ate I ironed their cotton shorts.  When they were done eating I washed them up and got them dressed. While I was finishing my hair and make-up I gave Jace jobs to do, like- put on your shoes, etc.

We were getting ready to go meet Jace's new speech therapist, Laura.  I also needed to stop at a quilt store, go to the bank and post office before picking Ryan up for lunch.  I really hate being late so I planned ahead.

Everything on my list was done and it was time to load up the kids and leave. But where was Rue??

Just enjoying some summer rain that was left overnight.

So glad I just pressed those shorts! Needless to say, we were late.

Christopher Robin built a trap

And what do you think he caught?

A little Kanga-RUE!!