Boat Time and VBS

This past Saturday, we all went up to Michigan to do some boating with Todd and Cathy.  Everybody had a great time.  We ate lunch on the boat and had some "rest time" (mostly for the adults :)).  We went to a beach where the kids got to swim and play in the sand.  Gma and Landon tried to catch a seagull, but it was too fast.  Emerson found all kinds of pretty rocks to keep.  Then we went to supper at the Pumphouse, got some delicious (but expensive!) ice cream at the Chocolate Factory, and went to see the painted Pirates and Pirate ship.  We were all tired by the time it was over, but it was a lot of fun.  Thanks Papa H and Gma for having us!  :)

This past week we had Vacation Bible School at church.  Matt and I tag teamed helping with the 3-4 year olds.  He and I went every other night.  The theme was Sonrise Camp and it was all about the outdoors and camping (right up our alley!)  It was a great experience for us and the kids.  The songs were so catchy, I'm still singing them! :)  It is so much work to put together a week of fun and learning about God for the kids, but well worth it!  Thanks so much to all who worked hard to give the kids a great week!

Daddy's Back!

After a week long adventure for both Matt and the rest of the family, he returned home on the best possible day, Father's Day! Everybody was so glad to be reunited.  Matt had a good trip with the middle school kids and his dad.  We had a busy week here at home.

Father's Day 2012

Monday-Splash Pad with Mema and Papa B. (also happened to be the coldest day of the week!)

Tuesday-Playdate with Victoria, Parker, and Elianna at their house. 
We had a lot of fun and the kids are already asking to go back.  Emmy says, "I want to do dat adin!"

Wednesday-Fort Wayne Zoo with Mema and Papa B. 

The kids loved it!  We went on the carousel and the train.  I'm pretty sure we saw EVERY animal!  The kids visited right through naps without trouble.  I was very thankful for the stroller though (Maybe my dad would disagree since he did all of the pushing! :)).

Thursday-Summer Library and Jana's Pool

I cannot say enough about the children's programs at the Nappanee Library.  They are amazing and my kids love it every week!  They were super excited to each get their OWN library cards for the summer.

After library, we went to Jana's Pool with Gma.  I think we're going to have 2 little fish.  They did great with their floaties, paddling all over the pool by themselves.  Our next step will be to try to get them comfortable with water in their faces, but they had a ball! 

Friday-Park with Jessica, Greyson, and Kenna and Pinterest Party

The kids loved playing the the Davis kids at the park.  We pretty much had the park to ourselves.  We packed a picnic lunch and stayed most of the morning.  Then we also got to see the Davis' later that night when Jessica hosted a Pinterest Party.  I made a headband holder for Emmy, which ironically is too small to hold her headbands.  Oh well!  It is still cute and was a lot of fun.  Jess made coasters with photos and Jessica made a wooden picture holder for John for Father's Day!   

Saturday-Dinner with Mema and Papa B. for Father's Day

Photo collage we made for Daddy with a quote about following in his shoes!

Sunday-Father's Day and Daddy returns home!

We got Matt a collage, Purdue Pillow Pet, and homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Overall it was a good week, but I am SOOO blessed by Matt and everything he helps with around the house and with the kiddos.  I'm thankful he's only gone 1 week out of the year.

Water Fun, School, and New Driveway

The kids have had a ball playing in the water.  And since it hasn't rained in ages, we've had to make our own.

Driving through the car wash. 
Thanks Uncle Nate for the sprinkler attachment! :)

Emmy got sidewalk paint from the Davis' for her birthday and used almost all of it in one day! ;)

I've also started preschool with them this summer.  I'm using Raising Rock Stars Preschool and the kids love it!  We're on the 2nd week and each day, they quickly stop what they're doing so we can "play school".

Our arrangement for school

Landon "reading" his Bible verse

Em showing off her art project

The curriculum teaches a letter, number, word, Bible verse, color, and song each week. I was amazed that Landon memorized the whole verse and Emmy chimed in on the words she remembered. "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16. We're so proud of our kiddos! :)

This week we also had some noisy action with a new part of our driveway getting cemented. We got new cement from our current cement, down to the turn around for a new basketball hoop, and a little farther down the drive. Our lower turn around also got leveled so (hopefully :)) that means no more getting stuck on wintery days! We had some noisy wake up calls with skidloaders and cement trucks, but it looks great and the kids already rode their bikes full speed ahead down the new cemented hill.

The kids did a good job making sure people obeyed the "broken road" signs for the driveway.

We added our handprints and names to the cement beside the basketball hoop.

Chicago Trip

This past weekend, we took the kids to Chicago to the Shedd Aquarium for an overnighter.  We had a great time!  The kids did wonderful on the ride and we had a blast while we were there.  We also (of course) had to stop by Cabela's on our way back home.

We started our day at the Dora and Diego 4-D movie (How perfect! :))  They did great and it helped that the "movie" was about 20 minutes.  We wore 3-D glasses and they also had water, wind, bubbles, etc. for the extra "D".

 

There was a camping section of the aquarium for all of those city kids!

Emmy wanted her picture by the alligators (even though we didn't see any).

The shark tank!

About the only way I can get Landon to look at the camera is by asking "How many fingers am I holding up?"
Here he is sitting on a sea turtle.

We had a great day, even though it was extremely crowded and not too cheap.  The kids were $23.95 a piece.  Good thing we adults were free!  Teachers: go to Shedd Aquarium Discounts and go down to Educator Discounts to get in for free!
We looked around right through naptime, but both kids did great!


Apparently, we just need to strap her in and drive her around, THEN she'll take a nap! :)

After the aquarium, we drove to our hotel in Hammond (just minutes from Cabela's) to stay the night.  I think both kids would agree that swimming in the dinky hotel swimming pool was the best part.  We had a hard time getting them out of the pool! But then they got to sleep in their sleeping bags (another favorite activity).
The next day, after a yummy continental breakfast, we swam some more and went to Cabela's.  We just "happened" to run into Jamie, Victoria, and their family at the same store at the same time.  I swear those men planned it, but they say they didn't! :)  Matt shopped while I entertained the kiddos, mostly by riding the "escavator" up and down. 

 

It was great spending time as a family and seeing the kids get so excited about all of their new adventures.  Looking forward to a summer full of adventures!!