Busy Busy

While Archer is busy with this...

(thanks Rick for putting your camera phone to good use, also I see the boys have graduated to compound bows)

Shelly and E are up to this...

After a quick intermission inside, E says, "I want to get even more wet!" And back outside he goes!

Up Up and Away

We've been working up to this for a few years now. Archer joined Cub Scouts way back in second grade, we camped out a time or two every summer with the Scouts and one of us (David or I) always went along as helper/leader/chapperone/crowd control on the "Scouts only" events.

Anyone who's ever purchased popcorn or batteries or wreaths has helped send Archer to camp. Anyone who's helped Archer with important life skills like baiting a hook, rolling a sleeping bag, making his own sandwiches has contributed to his confidence in taking this next step.

This year we decided to let him go it alone. Not really alone, he's known these leaders for a few years, he's known the other kids since kindergarden, we've spent a lot of time with these people. So not alone. But without family, he's going without family and we're all excited for him on his new adventure. He packed his own bag, made his own lunch for the road this morning, and off they went. Seven boys, two leaders, lots of snacks and joke books for the road.

Last night I asked him if he was going to call me twice a day to let me know he's ok. "No." Will you send me a letter or two every day? "No." Cry yourself to sleep every night because you miss us? "No." Every question made him laugh at me more, and I was glad. I'd hate to be the one that holds him back from getting out there into the great outdoors with friends!

We spent the day wondering what Archer was doing at that moment, "Probably having lunch now... I wonder if he's already done the swim test?... Probably dinner time for Archer... Do you think he's sleeping yet? Nah, maybe a campfire right now."

Anyway, we really are excited for him, and eager to hear all his stories when he comes back home to us.

In the meantime, Shelly's come up with a project to keep us busy - she made a  mailbox and we can all write notes to him, so he comes home to a mailbox full of letters.

Have fun Archer, and don't forget to change your socks! And take a shower. And USE THE BUG SPRAY FOR GOODNESS SAKE! And deodorant. And have fun.  :)

Pool Time!

We swam and swam and swam until our fingers were all wrinkly and we were all worn out. We practiced stuff we'd learned at swim lessons and splashed around and Archer swam across the pool one way and then the other.... 

That's right, Archer swam from the shallow end to the deep, then back again. He passed Grandpa's Test! He did it three times before we said he'd have to be done for the day becaue the rest of us were too cold and hungry to watch a fourth time.

http://youtu.be/Al9ntXV8XFo

I am SO PROUD of him, I didn't think he was ready but he proved me wrong three times over, and I'm so glad he did!

I can't wait for him to show Grandma and Grandpa when they get home from their road trip.

PS - Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for letting us use the pool while they're away, I hope everything got put back in order to their satisfaction, the kids told us where everything goes so if its not right...

Here We Go!

Summer's in full swing!

First there was this...

Then prepping for upcoming major life event (Scout camp) and subjecting Oldest Son to a long talk about the importance of sunscreen, bug spray, deodorant and SOAP

Then a little rest

And now movie night starring popcorn everywhere and Legos!

Everything is awesome!!! (That's a Lego Movie reference - Google it!)

Who has time for work when...

There are so many other things to do?

Getting boys unstuck from little puzzles

Getting boys off my desk

Chasing rabits out of the garden (hey wait, its only eating the weeds, maybe I should let him stay?)

Watching children dancing in the street (only 5 more days till soccer camp starts!!!!)

Celebrating the last day of school

And spending the morning in the hot sun playing instead of learning on the last day :)

Movie party with friends

http://youtu.be/XQCDEgoKh_c

And FINALLY Soccer Camp!!!

Trying to cool down because we STILL haven't bothered to turn on the AC (not that we've needed it, its barely been warm enough to even THINK about AC)

Bike rides

http://youtu.be/h0QlHqyqbwQ

More games

http://youtu.be/9Z4eEeHNnjg

More magic at the library

More... I don't know, what IS that thing??

That's been the beginning of summer, but it feels like its already halfway over. Oh well, we'll make the most of every single minute!

First Fire

Our first campfire of the year was a success, but how could it NOT succeed when we had lots of chocolate, giant marshmallows, and a novelty log to test out? 

All around a great family evening of just enjoying some music, silliness, and time together!

The Men in My Life

There's a time for dressing up...

And a time for letting it all hang out...

Bring on the music!

New piano (thanks to some very generous family members)
+3 children
Equals lots and lots of music!!

First Songs...

Grill, Anyone?

We didn't have a grill and Memorial Day rolled around... Spur of the moment we decided to grill out, bought a little grill and tasked the boys with assembly. They did a great job with only minor interventions from Dad. We enjoyed a nice dinner with hamburgers and other traditional Memorial Day stuff. Happy Summer!

Library!!

Our first official Summer Vacation event was to sign the kids up for the reading program. Plus there was a magic show. Plus we checked out a gazillion books. Summer fun here we come!

 

BFF

You know how kids toss around those three letters? BFF. Best Friends Forever. They'll say it, then five minutes later declare they're not friends anymore.

Then there's the real thing. The people who start out best friends, say they'll stick together, and year after year they're still friends. When I think of my parents, the most inspiring thing to me is how much they still enjoy just being around each other. And here they are, another year as BFFs counted off, keeping each other young and loving life together. Its just about the most beautiful thing ever. I love you guys!! Happy Anniversary!

Lucky Winners!

At a school event we participated in a raffle, there were many different prizes but we were most interested in the ride. The ride to school in a fire truck. What kid wouldn't want to win THAT one?? So we put in ten tickets. And then... we WON!

Archer won a ride to school on a fire truck, and I sweet talked our way into Shelly riding along too. So on the special day, we showed up at the fire station nice and early and were treated to a personal tour of the station and all the vehicles. The fire fighters showed us all around, answered every question we had, and we finally decided we should probably go to school (we were running a bit behind after all our questions).

What a great way to start the day!

 

A tour of the ambulance

 

 

Go ahead and try out the lights, kids

 

 

 

 

And here's the fire hose, think you can handle it?

 

 

You might have to grow into that outfit (is your hat too heavy?)

 

 

Buckle up, its time to ride!

 

 

At school, at last