Snippets of Summer

 We started out the summer with a trip to the zoo before Jonathan was quite finished with school.  Carla and her two boys and Caleb, Eliana and me.

 Summer around this house means lots of swimming, reading, art (because I love art), and outdoor time.  Eliana is joining right in on the fun.

We have our annual block party at the beginning of June each year.  We have hosted it for the last two years so it was quite enjoyable to just attend this year.

 Some of the neighborhood kids, having a blast together.

Curt and Eliana.  She loved him and he was amazing with her.

Track and Field for Grampie

My dad loved coaching cross country.  He loved the sport but mostly he loved those runners.  It didn't matter if they were fast or slow, he loved to see them run and he and Mom loved spending time with them.  My little home town hosts a track and field day for youth to honor a young coach who died suddenly a few years ago.  He and Dad both loved kids and running and Jesus.  The family of the McMartins were so kind and generous to have us participate in the day and give a tribute to my dad. 

 Caleb and Piper (the niece of the other coach) doing the three legged race

Showing their "prizes" for running and jumping and racing

Race #1

The first weekend in May was race weekend for our family.  We started Saturday morning with the elementary school road race.  It is always great fun and the kiddos love the snacks at the end.  All four of the boys ran the whole road race for kids.  On another note: So fun that Carla's boys will be at the same elementary school with our kids. :)

Jonathan and buddy, Jack.

If you have boys...

There are so many moments in parenting these two boys that occur and are characterized by me thinking: "hmm, at what point should I stop this for their safety?  Or will it resolve itself?"  It's not clearly a threat to their head or neck at the onset but if things continue it might cross that threshold of risk.  This was one of those times.  The bicycle was attached to three bungee cords at the top of the slide and the boys were attempting to pull it up the slide so they could ride it down from the top (and I think, get it to snap back).  Happily - this required no intervention from me.  They couldn't get it up the slide.  However, there are so many moments like these in a week that I have learned a very analytical skill of assessing the risk to their head or necks.  Not the risk of a broken bone - they could do that while running in the yard.  However, in the name of safety and decent parenting, I try to thwart things that could risk their brains or spines.

Meet Chester

Two years ago the two little boys in this house wanted to start a dog walking business.  Why?  Because they just loved dogs.  I reluctantly agreed as I am okay with things of the furry persuasion, I am not an animal lover.  Fast forward: those two boys still love dogs and this momma learned to really love a dog down the street and thus, caved to the wishes of the XY chromosomes.  We got a puppy.  Meet Chester.  Our 5 month old puppy who is quite a good dog but still has some puppy to be trained.

When it's hot he likes to lay on the cold tile floor and sleep.  When it's not hot, he is full of energy.  But thankfully, the vet gave us really good instructions so he is now trained for the nasty business and we are just working on calmer greetings :)

Spring Break?

I think this fun was during spring break.  We painted pottery and Miss E looked cute and smiley in the carrier.  Which doesn't stay on my shoulders - annoying.

 We went to a family fun place one day when it was cold and icky.  There were many to choose from this winter so I'm not sure exactly when this occurred - Miss E hung out with Jamie and I while the boys shot foam balls at each other.

 We walk to pick up Jonathan from school EVERY DAY.  Rain, shine, snow, sleet.  We walk.  We can walk to school and home before most of the parents have even picked up their child from the car line.  We bought this house partially because I knew we could walk to almost anything we wanted or needed.  However, this was a long, cold winter and by the end of the cold weather, both of the two youngers were DONE with the walking and the bundling.

Safety Boy

This little blog is going to be in rewind as I realized I neglected to blog anything about the end of the school year.   Each student in Jman's class invented a super hero who would be helpful to students, teachers or parents in the school.  Then they had to write a short oral presentation that they were prepared to give to other students and parents.  Presenting: Safety Boy.