Well..... I've taken a few months off from blogging not that I didn't have anything to write about. My daughter wanted to read my blog today and was disappointed that I hadn't written anything since May. I thought I'd do a recap of our summer.
June - Ben finished transitional kindergarten, Nicholas completed 3rd grade, and Victoria graduated from 5th grade and moved on to junior high (middle school). Victoria and Nicholas had a great camp experience at Forest Home Adventure Mountain at the end of June. Thankfully, they didn't encounter any of the local bears. Our most exciting news in June was that we added a new family member. She is cute, white, and furry. The kids have been BEGGING for a dog for a couple of years now and when we met Magenta we decided that she would fit in just fine with our family. Honestly, Allan and I were really hesitant on getting a dog. Let's face it, we already have four kids. We were thankful that she was house broken and plays really well with the kids. Although, we have to remind them to do their dog chores (feeding, walking, bathing, and cleaning up after) they do take care of her and love her. Magenta also puts up with us or should I say Lizzie and Benjamin. Those little ones like chasing her, wrapping her in blankets and putting her in the laundry hamper. Luckily, we have a small home, so I quickly figure out what those little ones are up to.
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| Magenta was trying to get used to her new home. |
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| Benjamin is always climbing on someone or something.. |
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| Victoria and friends were the first to enjoy the pool at camp. |
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| At our church, they had a morning of celebrating the 5th graders moving up to the jr. high group. Victoria is here with some of her friends and Sunday school teachers. |
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| We had lots of lazy days and nights just playing games and watching movies with the kids. |
July-We had a really fun 4th of July with a group of friends and some family. We took our 1978 RV to Lake Skinner and "roughed" it in the great outdoors. When we camped at Lake Skinner we went with a big group of friends from our church life group class. It was great sharing meals, toys, and conversations with our friends. The kids enjoyed a week of golf lessons at Lakewood Country Club. This was their third time learning how to drive, put, and chip a golf ball. I also had all the kids take swim lessons for 2 weeks. This was Elizabeth's first time taking a formal lesson. She cried the 2nd day and I let her stay out. On the third day, I put her in the water crying, walked away and she was fine afterthat.
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| Lizzie playing with homemade slime made by Nicholas. |
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| The kids chowing down on breakfast at camp. |
August-We had several beach days with different groups of friends. I love to watch my kids dig in the sand, build sandcastles, ,and swim in the water. I've learned that although the kids need sunscreen I need to keep reapplying suncreen for myself because of my fair complexion. We visited the local library almost every Tuesday after Victoria and Nicholas' piano lesson throughout the summer. We take home about 30-50 books every week. I finally broke down and purchased a small kiddie pool for the little ones(and the big ones) and a slip and slide. The grass and plants have appreciated the extra water.
It was a fun and relaxing summer, but I was anxious to start school with Victoria and Nicholas and to send Ben off to school. I'm glad to have more structure and a set schedule on a daily basis. I hope you enjoyed your summer!
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| Lizzie and her cousin Dean, who she LOVES to spend time with. "Play with me, Swim with me, Sit next to me........." |
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| A beautiful sunset I shot one evening. I just want to lay on the grass and stare up at the sky with no interruptions. |
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| I love this picture because you can't tell if they love each other or if they are trying to harm each other. We were on the outside of the California Science Center. We love that place! |
