Showing posts with label summer fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer fun. Show all posts
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Yeti's!
A local family put a shaved ice stand in just down the road from our house this summer. Yeti's quickly became our favorite summer treat!
Friday, July 19, 2013
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Happy Birthday America!
This year we lost our minds for a bit, and decided to take our 3 kids to the lake on the 4th of July...All. Day. Long.
Miraculously, we all survived, and even came home fairly happy, albeit exhausted!
Some of my favorite memories, in no particular order...
Austin falling asleep on the boat, just before the fireworks started.
Ellie and Austin cliff jumping!
Annie NOT cliff jumping...hello role reversal!
Relaxing off the boat at State Park Marina for a bit.
Eating shaved ice! Yum!
Seeing Ellie smile.
Seeing Austin smile.
Seeing Annie's smile...and some rockin' boat hair!
The Branson Belle up close, it never gets old.
This picture of Austin and Annie, best buddies.
Watching Big Cedar's fireworks from the lake. Beautiful!
Miraculously, we all survived, and even came home fairly happy, albeit exhausted!
Some of my favorite memories, in no particular order...
Austin falling asleep on the boat, just before the fireworks started.
Ellie and Austin cliff jumping!
Annie NOT cliff jumping...hello role reversal!
Relaxing off the boat at State Park Marina for a bit.
Eating shaved ice! Yum!
Seeing Ellie smile.
Seeing Austin smile.
Seeing Annie's smile...and some rockin' boat hair!
The Branson Belle up close, it never gets old.
This picture of Austin and Annie, best buddies.
Watching Big Cedar's fireworks from the lake. Beautiful!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
I really did it...
I sent them to summer school.
Can you believe it? Am I a mean mom?
It's interesting to get people's reaction to the fact that I put all three of my kids in summer school this year. Yes, even Austin. I've had various comments ranging from "Good for you!" to "I would never do that." I have friends who always put their kids in summer school, and I have friends who never-in-a-million-years would choose to do it. Who knew this was such a dividing topic?
I have to say, I surprised myself by actually doing this. I mean, sure I've threatened it before...If you kids don't stop fighting I'm calling the school and taking you in!" But this year I did it. See, 2 days into summer, we got the news that Austin couldn't swim for at least 3 weeks. His ears were severely infected again. Nice.
I sat at home with 3 fighting kids for a few days. We couldn't go to the pool, we couldn't go to the lake, we couldn't play in the sprinklers, and it was 95 degrees outside. I'd had all the whining, fighting, complaining and fussing I could take, when a friend mentioned summer school. I brushed it off at first, them my mom mentioned it. Then I thought about it...and made the call. And you know what?
They have LOVED it!
Annie is sad that it is ending tomorrow, Austin has enjoyed eating lunch at school for the first time, and even Ellie has enjoyed it since she's getting to do all the "fun stuff" (reading, computers, recess) and none of the "bad stuff" (PE) , you gotta love that girl. :)
And me? I'm not gonna lie, having 4 quiet mornings a week for three weeks has been pure bliss.
Yesterday Austin had an ear check-up and we got the news that HE CAN SWIM! Yay! The timing is brilliant (Thank you God!) with summer school ending tomorrow. I am so happy for my sweet boy who has been begging to go to the pool. I pray that his ears stay healthy, and our summer can have lots of fun water time.
And as for summer school, they all say they want to go every year. Go figure!
Can you believe it? Am I a mean mom?
It's interesting to get people's reaction to the fact that I put all three of my kids in summer school this year. Yes, even Austin. I've had various comments ranging from "Good for you!" to "I would never do that." I have friends who always put their kids in summer school, and I have friends who never-in-a-million-years would choose to do it. Who knew this was such a dividing topic?
I have to say, I surprised myself by actually doing this. I mean, sure I've threatened it before...If you kids don't stop fighting I'm calling the school and taking you in!" But this year I did it. See, 2 days into summer, we got the news that Austin couldn't swim for at least 3 weeks. His ears were severely infected again. Nice.
I sat at home with 3 fighting kids for a few days. We couldn't go to the pool, we couldn't go to the lake, we couldn't play in the sprinklers, and it was 95 degrees outside. I'd had all the whining, fighting, complaining and fussing I could take, when a friend mentioned summer school. I brushed it off at first, them my mom mentioned it. Then I thought about it...and made the call. And you know what?
They have LOVED it!
Annie is sad that it is ending tomorrow, Austin has enjoyed eating lunch at school for the first time, and even Ellie has enjoyed it since she's getting to do all the "fun stuff" (reading, computers, recess) and none of the "bad stuff" (PE) , you gotta love that girl. :)
And me? I'm not gonna lie, having 4 quiet mornings a week for three weeks has been pure bliss.
Yesterday Austin had an ear check-up and we got the news that HE CAN SWIM! Yay! The timing is brilliant (Thank you God!) with summer school ending tomorrow. I am so happy for my sweet boy who has been begging to go to the pool. I pray that his ears stay healthy, and our summer can have lots of fun water time.
And as for summer school, they all say they want to go every year. Go figure!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
It was a Facebooky Summer!
I did this post in April of some of my favorite facebook updates. I liked it so much that I am doing it again! Our Summer, through the eyes of facebook...
(Shelley)...thinks I may be losing my mind...I've agreed to go camping this weekend, and I am actually looking forward to it! I mean, we're talking tents and no running water kind of camping. Maybe my inner "outdoors girl" is coming out. HA!
...didn't quite expect to find a slug in Austin's pocket...
...We've been camping for two hours...Jason and I have had one argument, Annie's needed two bandaids, and Olivia actually had an ant in her pants. Fun times!
...is really enjoying Summer!
...just conquered the biggest laundry pile I've ever had. I feel like I climbed Mount Everest, and I need to plant a flag on my couch!
...is so proud of Annie for jumping off the diving board today, and Ellie for conquering the Big slide!
...For the third year in a row we went to pick fresh blueberries at Persimmon Hill Berry Farm. We are in love with this tradition! Our girls are great berry pickers! Austin...not so much. :) But he enjoyed running around and just being outdoors. What a great day!
...said something tonight I never thought I would say..."Austin! No using vegetables as weapons!". He was wielding two squash like swords.
...is enjoying a day in the air conditioning! I don't think I could have made it as a pioneer woman.
...found a large frog in my rain boot yesterday. Compliments of my son. Good thing I turned it over to make sure nothing was in it!
...thinks Sonic happy hour is a must today!
...Overheard from Austin's room this morning... Lots of scolding of the stuffed animals, "Daddy said NO NO", "No hitting!", and "You go to time out!"...I think I know what kind of evening daddy and the kids had last night while I was gone.
...thinks it's a perfect day to join some friends at the lake!
...took the kids out for dinner and a movie...in the car! You gotta get creative when the power goes out on a hot night! Thankful that it's finally back on!
...No nap and an evening swim party equal a little boy asleep before his mama could finish reading to him. Love that!
...while the girls are at "Camp Grammie", Austin is at "Camp Potty Training." It's been, well...Interesting! That boy has a bladder of Steel!
...had a great day with the kids and family! Annie was all better just in time to hang out with some Texas cousins!
...took the kids to see Toy Story 3 tonight with some friends. It was our first attempt at having Austin at the movies since he was 18 months old, when he ran down the aisle and onto the stage by the screen. 2 years later...He was PERFECT! Whew!
...thinks I could just live in the pool. Ahhh...
...is enjoying an "under-the-weather" Austin. Calm, cuddly, early napping, quiet...I want him to feel better...tomorrow. :)
...loves it when my oldest reads to my youngest.
...Why is it I can get two kids to behave and act nicely, but never all three? They take turns being the one that drives me nuts. I think it's a conspiracy.
...is ready for my laundry fairy to arrive.
...is wishing my hubby a very happy birthday! Now he's as old as I am! :)
...is so thankful for friends who understand me, and this crazy stage of life that I'm in. :)
...Me: Sweet Annie, you are such a people pleaser. Ellie: I hate people pleasers. Wait, am I a people pleaser? Me: I don't think so dear.
...After a tough few days of power struggles with Ellie, we had a good heart to heart talk last night. At the end I said..."So if you'll just do what I tell you, then we'll get along much better, ok?" Her response was, "But that's so BORING!". Oh my.
...Overheard from the kitchen...Annie: Austin, Gods rules are kindness, compassion, and sharing. So share your chocolates!!
...is enjoying the quiet while Austin naps and the girls shop online. Thank goodness they don't know how to use a credit card yet!
...is there anything harder to clean up in this world than the stuff a diaper is made out of? If so, I don't want to know!
...is enjoying the peace and quiet of nap/resting time and praying I can make it one more month until school starts.
...8 hours at the lake has left us all tired, but happy. Littlest one fell asleep on the way home...I love that!
...is SUPER proud of Ellie for swimming her heart out at her very first swim meet today!
...We have reached the point of Summer when my children are fighting over everything. This morning it started with play doh scissors. I think we've had a little too much togetherness!
...Me: Austin, you're cute. Austin: NO, I'm not cute, I'm a BOY...Gwammie's cute!
...had a wonderful evening with friends tonight! Kids chasing fireflies by the lake, daddy's fishing, and mama's chatting! Perfection! A special THANK YOU to our sweet babysitter for keeping Austin home to play. Otherwise this mama would not have been able to chat! :)
...A 3 hour photo session with my kids = TORTURE! Laney, you are a saint! And I'm glad you're an "amateur" photographer, because I don't think I could pay anyone enough money to go through that!
...We had a fun day at White Water to celebrate Annie turning SIX years old!
...had fun tonight! Went to a Springfield Cardinals game where the girls danced with their studio, watched the Cardinals hit 3 home runs and win big, saw some great fireworks after the game, and surely lost 5 pounds from sweatin' like a pig!
...is heading to the pool to soak up the last of Summer!
...is laying down for awhile with a sweet sleeping Austin...we had a rough morning. Found out he's not hearing out of his left ear at all, and needs new tubes put in and adenoids taken out. :( This mama is sad.
...Austin cut his finger this morning and said through his tears..."I fink a chocolate will make it better." I have NO idea where he got that idea. :)
...is ready to tackle this last day of Summer!!!
...Getting ready to host a family party for Annie, Austin, and Grammie's birthdays!! Then at approximately 10pm I shall be unresponsive for 12 hours...give or take. :)
...Austin started his second year at ECSE Preschool, Annie started Kindergarten, and Ellie started 3rd grade!
...is going to miss my sweet cousin Lane living in my basement! Good luck in in Oklahoma sweetie!
Wow. After reading them all like that, I am suddenly very very tired! No wonder I was ready for school to start! :)
(Shelley)...thinks I may be losing my mind...I've agreed to go camping this weekend, and I am actually looking forward to it! I mean, we're talking tents and no running water kind of camping. Maybe my inner "outdoors girl" is coming out. HA!
...didn't quite expect to find a slug in Austin's pocket...
...We've been camping for two hours...Jason and I have had one argument, Annie's needed two bandaids, and Olivia actually had an ant in her pants. Fun times!
...is really enjoying Summer!
...just conquered the biggest laundry pile I've ever had. I feel like I climbed Mount Everest, and I need to plant a flag on my couch!
...is so proud of Annie for jumping off the diving board today, and Ellie for conquering the Big slide!
...For the third year in a row we went to pick fresh blueberries at Persimmon Hill Berry Farm. We are in love with this tradition! Our girls are great berry pickers! Austin...not so much. :) But he enjoyed running around and just being outdoors. What a great day!
...said something tonight I never thought I would say..."Austin! No using vegetables as weapons!". He was wielding two squash like swords.
...is enjoying a day in the air conditioning! I don't think I could have made it as a pioneer woman.
...found a large frog in my rain boot yesterday. Compliments of my son. Good thing I turned it over to make sure nothing was in it!
...thinks Sonic happy hour is a must today!
...Overheard from Austin's room this morning... Lots of scolding of the stuffed animals, "Daddy said NO NO", "No hitting!", and "You go to time out!"...I think I know what kind of evening daddy and the kids had last night while I was gone.
...thinks it's a perfect day to join some friends at the lake!
...took the kids out for dinner and a movie...in the car! You gotta get creative when the power goes out on a hot night! Thankful that it's finally back on!
...No nap and an evening swim party equal a little boy asleep before his mama could finish reading to him. Love that!
...while the girls are at "Camp Grammie", Austin is at "Camp Potty Training." It's been, well...Interesting! That boy has a bladder of Steel!
...had a great day with the kids and family! Annie was all better just in time to hang out with some Texas cousins!
...took the kids to see Toy Story 3 tonight with some friends. It was our first attempt at having Austin at the movies since he was 18 months old, when he ran down the aisle and onto the stage by the screen. 2 years later...He was PERFECT! Whew!
...thinks I could just live in the pool. Ahhh...
...is enjoying an "under-the-weather" Austin. Calm, cuddly, early napping, quiet...I want him to feel better...tomorrow. :)
...loves it when my oldest reads to my youngest.
...Why is it I can get two kids to behave and act nicely, but never all three? They take turns being the one that drives me nuts. I think it's a conspiracy.
...is ready for my laundry fairy to arrive.
...is wishing my hubby a very happy birthday! Now he's as old as I am! :)
...is so thankful for friends who understand me, and this crazy stage of life that I'm in. :)
...Me: Sweet Annie, you are such a people pleaser. Ellie: I hate people pleasers. Wait, am I a people pleaser? Me: I don't think so dear.
...After a tough few days of power struggles with Ellie, we had a good heart to heart talk last night. At the end I said..."So if you'll just do what I tell you, then we'll get along much better, ok?" Her response was, "But that's so BORING!". Oh my.
...Overheard from the kitchen...Annie: Austin, Gods rules are kindness, compassion, and sharing. So share your chocolates!!
...is enjoying the quiet while Austin naps and the girls shop online. Thank goodness they don't know how to use a credit card yet!
...is there anything harder to clean up in this world than the stuff a diaper is made out of? If so, I don't want to know!
...is enjoying the peace and quiet of nap/resting time and praying I can make it one more month until school starts.
...8 hours at the lake has left us all tired, but happy. Littlest one fell asleep on the way home...I love that!
...is SUPER proud of Ellie for swimming her heart out at her very first swim meet today!
...We have reached the point of Summer when my children are fighting over everything. This morning it started with play doh scissors. I think we've had a little too much togetherness!
...Me: Austin, you're cute. Austin: NO, I'm not cute, I'm a BOY...Gwammie's cute!
...had a wonderful evening with friends tonight! Kids chasing fireflies by the lake, daddy's fishing, and mama's chatting! Perfection! A special THANK YOU to our sweet babysitter for keeping Austin home to play. Otherwise this mama would not have been able to chat! :)
...A 3 hour photo session with my kids = TORTURE! Laney, you are a saint! And I'm glad you're an "amateur" photographer, because I don't think I could pay anyone enough money to go through that!
...We had a fun day at White Water to celebrate Annie turning SIX years old!
...had fun tonight! Went to a Springfield Cardinals game where the girls danced with their studio, watched the Cardinals hit 3 home runs and win big, saw some great fireworks after the game, and surely lost 5 pounds from sweatin' like a pig!
...is heading to the pool to soak up the last of Summer!
...is laying down for awhile with a sweet sleeping Austin...we had a rough morning. Found out he's not hearing out of his left ear at all, and needs new tubes put in and adenoids taken out. :( This mama is sad.
...Austin cut his finger this morning and said through his tears..."I fink a chocolate will make it better." I have NO idea where he got that idea. :)
...is ready to tackle this last day of Summer!!!
...Getting ready to host a family party for Annie, Austin, and Grammie's birthdays!! Then at approximately 10pm I shall be unresponsive for 12 hours...give or take. :)
...Austin started his second year at ECSE Preschool, Annie started Kindergarten, and Ellie started 3rd grade!
...is going to miss my sweet cousin Lane living in my basement! Good luck in in Oklahoma sweetie!
Wow. After reading them all like that, I am suddenly very very tired! No wonder I was ready for school to start! :)
Friday, August 6, 2010
The Family that boats together, stays together!
When Jason and I were dating and we went to his parents house for the first time, the view from their deck took my breath away. They lived on one of the most beautiful lakes I'd ever seen. It was a lake I'd been to as a child many times, but I'd never realized how beautiful it really was until then. When we got married, we moved to the same area my new father and mother-in-law lived in. We had a boat for a while, but sold it once we had Ellie. This Summer we were blessed to buy another one, this time along with Jason's family! Although our house isn't on the lake, we're not too far, and we've been enjoying the lake more than ever!
Ellie!
Elaina!
Annie and Austin!
Ellie and Olivia!
Austin!
Chris and Elaina!
Annie!
Olivia!
Ellie!
Elaina!
Annie and Austin!
Ellie and Olivia!
Austin!
Chris and Elaina!
Annie!
Olivia!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Summertime!
Summer. I love Summer. I love the lazy mornings at home, the swim suits and towels draped over dining room chairs, the sound of my children spraying each other with the hose in the backyard, the smell of freshly cut grass...I love it all.
As a child I was a fish. My favorite place to be in the summer was in the water. Lake, pool, sprinkler...as long as there was water, I was a happy girl!
Our kids have taken swimming lessons from a young age, and love the water as much as I do. We hope to put a pool in our backyard in a couple more years, and I can't wait! I know it will bring us years of enjoyment, and tons of great memories. In the meantime though, we love our town pool, and visit at least 2 or 3 times a week. Ellie joined the swim team this year, and is loving it, even with the early morning practices!
Austin is loving the water as much as his sisters this year. And I love the fact that after an afternoon at the pool, he takes a really good nap! :-)
Annie is learning to swim in the deep end this year. She also taught herself to do a front flip!
AND...She jumped off the diving board for the first time! Go Annie!
Spending time with friends is a favorite part of our Summer. The kids love having friends to play with, and I do too! Here are Annie and AJ doing the "We jumped off the diving board hug!"
And little Wing Man getting lots of help with the slide from his big sis and Annie!
Not to be outdone by her sister, (we couldn't have that! ) Ellie bravely went down the (scary) tunnel slide! She didn't care for it, but I was proud that she finally tried it, and conquered her fear.
I have to say, I still love the water. I know most mommies enjoy lying on a chair, soaking up the sun, and someday I'm sure it will be nice to do that! However I am still a fish at heart! I love to swim and dive. And I still love a good game of Marco Polo!
I love this picture of Ellie and Lane. Lane is my sweet cousin, and she gets to stay with us a lot this summer! Her husband is deployed with the Navy right now, and we get the pleasure of keeping her company while he is gone. She is a great help with the kids, and a blast to have around!
Summer. Days in our swim suits, cooking on the grill, late bedtimes and sleeping in. Ah Summer, I am glad you are here!
As a child I was a fish. My favorite place to be in the summer was in the water. Lake, pool, sprinkler...as long as there was water, I was a happy girl!
Our kids have taken swimming lessons from a young age, and love the water as much as I do. We hope to put a pool in our backyard in a couple more years, and I can't wait! I know it will bring us years of enjoyment, and tons of great memories. In the meantime though, we love our town pool, and visit at least 2 or 3 times a week. Ellie joined the swim team this year, and is loving it, even with the early morning practices!
Austin is loving the water as much as his sisters this year. And I love the fact that after an afternoon at the pool, he takes a really good nap! :-)
Annie is learning to swim in the deep end this year. She also taught herself to do a front flip!
AND...She jumped off the diving board for the first time! Go Annie!
Spending time with friends is a favorite part of our Summer. The kids love having friends to play with, and I do too! Here are Annie and AJ doing the "We jumped off the diving board hug!"
And little Wing Man getting lots of help with the slide from his big sis and Annie!
Not to be outdone by her sister, (we couldn't have that! ) Ellie bravely went down the (scary) tunnel slide! She didn't care for it, but I was proud that she finally tried it, and conquered her fear.
I have to say, I still love the water. I know most mommies enjoy lying on a chair, soaking up the sun, and someday I'm sure it will be nice to do that! However I am still a fish at heart! I love to swim and dive. And I still love a good game of Marco Polo!
I love this picture of Ellie and Lane. Lane is my sweet cousin, and she gets to stay with us a lot this summer! Her husband is deployed with the Navy right now, and we get the pleasure of keeping her company while he is gone. She is a great help with the kids, and a blast to have around!
Summer. Days in our swim suits, cooking on the grill, late bedtimes and sleeping in. Ah Summer, I am glad you are here!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Camping at Razor Ridge
My sister-in-law Michelle and I are very similar in many ways. We enjoy air conditioning, shopping, nice hotels, a good "Real Housewives" show, computer time, and talking on the phone. So part of me is still trying to figure out why we both agreed to take our families camping! I wonder what our husbands thought. They probably thought we'd temporarily lost our minds! And honestly, as we prepared to go, I started wondering the same thing.
Bags of camping equipment filled our kitchen, trailers were loaded, menus were made, coolers were loaded, and away we went!
In my head I pictured lots of free time, kids running happily, parents hanging out playing cards...Not exactly! Reality was a couple of hours of set-up, parents sweating, a group effort to keep Austin from getting into everything, kids enjoying each other, and rarely a moment to sit down! It was fun though! The kids had a blast playing in the creek, fishing, four-wheeling, sitting around the campsite, making smores, and enjoying each other. Things settled down after awhile, and even the parents got to sit and enjoy the campfire!
All in all it was a great trip. Our kids first camping experience was a good one, and I think they'll always remember it. We went the weekend after school let out for summer, so it was a great way to kick things off!
Here are some of my favorite pictures...
Our niece Olivia!
Ellie!
Our niece Elaina!
Annie!
Austin!
Welcome Summer!!!
Bags of camping equipment filled our kitchen, trailers were loaded, menus were made, coolers were loaded, and away we went!
In my head I pictured lots of free time, kids running happily, parents hanging out playing cards...Not exactly! Reality was a couple of hours of set-up, parents sweating, a group effort to keep Austin from getting into everything, kids enjoying each other, and rarely a moment to sit down! It was fun though! The kids had a blast playing in the creek, fishing, four-wheeling, sitting around the campsite, making smores, and enjoying each other. Things settled down after awhile, and even the parents got to sit and enjoy the campfire!
All in all it was a great trip. Our kids first camping experience was a good one, and I think they'll always remember it. We went the weekend after school let out for summer, so it was a great way to kick things off!
Here are some of my favorite pictures...
Our niece Olivia!
Ellie!
Our niece Elaina!
Annie!
Austin!
Welcome Summer!!!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Summer Lovin'
My kids are fish, just like me. :-)
Except when they're lounging. :-)
Austin enjoying some downtime...
AJ, Tessa, and Annie!
Except when they're lounging. :-)
Austin enjoying some downtime...
AJ, Tessa, and Annie!
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