We're Swiiiiiimin' in the Rain!. . .

Today was our last day of swimming lessons for this session. The boys have had such a great time learning more and more water skills. Ethan's just about swimming, and Aidan is doing a great float, and learning to kick. Today I found a sitter for Chandler because of the potential for rain, and I am so glad I did. Yesterday it sprinkled the whole time we were there and it was pretty miserable for those of us on the sidelines. Today, it was a virtual downpour the entire time! SO WET. I wish I had brought my camera today to show just how insanely hard it was raining. Thank heaven for golf umbrellas! Here are some photos from their swim sessions this week. . .

Random Silliness. . .

We've had some silly moments lately. . . here are just a few. . .

Ethan the Patriot

Ethan is our little Yankee Doodle Dandy. He's always enjoyed patriotic songs, flags, you name it. One of his favorite books is "America the Beautiful" which is just the text from the song with pretty pictures from across America. Yesterday he found my little hymn book and found the patriotic ones at the end and has since been serenading us with many a patriotic song. (he even throws in "God Save the King" every once in a while for good measure) It's been nothing but "My Country Tis' of Thee" and "the Star Spangled Banner" for us. He even convinced me to get out the flag and we hung it on the porch yesterday, which pleased him a great deal. I've got to admit, nothing stirs my heart as much as a good patriotic hymn, and I'm glad he agrees! Maybe it's because his birthday is so close to the 4th. We're having a star spangled party on Saturday. Here's a little snippet I caught of him singing. . .

Into the Woods

On Friday we headed off for a quick overnighter with the boys. This was our first time camping with Chandler this year, so I was a bit nervous, but it turned out pretty well! He did have a rough time going to sleep, but we had so much fun that it was worth it. Here are some fun photos of the trip. . .

It did get a bit exciting when Chandler thought it was time to get up at 4 a.m. but we did coax him back to sleep around five, and he was up for the day at six. Gordon kindly took Chandler out on a hike and let the big boys and I get another hour of sleep. Around seven, it started raining, and then raining more, and then more and harder!!! Pretty much pouring. The boys slept through it, and luckily our tent is very water tight, but when Gordon and Chandler reappeared they were pretty damp. They were almost a mile up the trail when it started. It rained the whole rest of the morning so we had breakfast in the tent, got all packed up, and then hauled it to the car and drove home. (where we got everything out again, set up the tent to dry it out, etc) It was such a fun trip that the extra work seems worth it, but I sure hope next time we go it's a dry trip! Oh well, such is camping in Oregon!

Now I've done it. . .

It's almost Ethan's birthday time here! We've got the party planned, but we haven't planned the cake yet. Over the years we've made it a tradition that I let the kids choose what kind of cake they want, and then I help them make it. We've done dinosaurs, airplanes, race tracks, and sports balls to name a few. So, I now am thinking maybe I set the precedent a bit high when I asked Ethan this morning what kind of a cake he'd like for his birthday. He told me he could draw it out for me, which I thought was a great idea. Here's what he came up with. . . Eight layers with "red streamers" all around. OH MY! I was thinking a pool, or a slip and slide or something easy. (we're having a water party) So, we'll see what happens. I told him if we stack them like this we have to take it down to three layers. That I think is somewhat doable. (and not to mention easier than a green dinosaur from 2 years ago!) I've got to admit, I love a good cake challenge!!!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the wonderful father's in our family!

The boys have been particularly excited about this fathers day! Every day they've been counting down, I think because we bought a present and it made it seem so special. They both wrote cute cards this morning, and were so excited for a "special breakfast." Aidan keeps asking me if I'm going to make a cake. Hoping to get out of that one. . . Anyway, happy fathers day, to everyone. Especially Gordon, Dad, and Alan. We love you all so much!

Three little boys

Today we spent the afternoon at the mall with Keren, whose little girl Carolyn was turning one. We used some fun coupons at the picture people, and this is what we came home with (after the wrestling match that is photography with children). I love them! I had to fight with the portrait lady to use the black background. And I do mean fight. I had to really put my foot down. She was just sure they would look like they were "floating" in the black, but I love it. Enjoy!

Summer time "FUN?"

Maybe I should label this "Summer time organization." We (I) decided that we need some organized structure this summer, so we don't just laze it completely away, and forget everything we learned in school in the process. So, the boys helped me come up with this job chart. It also has a spot for a fun weekly activity (something that takes planning) like going to the beach, the childrens museum, etc, so that we make sure and do all of the fun things we want to this summer. On the bottom is a chore spot, and each day they pull out a chore (vacuum, mop, clean a bathroom, wash all the sheets, etc) and we have to do that chore before we head out for fun that day. So far, it's been GREAT! The kids have been super excited to choose their chore, and even helped me scrub a bathroom yesterday, and gather the towells to be washed today, etc. Very nice. I'm sure the fun of it all will quickly wear off, but so far, we're feeling like it's going to be a pretty fun summer! The boys also have to do reading and writing every day, and get cards to put in for that as well. We are going to keep track of how many cards we put in (points). At the end of the summer, I'm hoping we'll have lots of points (150? - number yet to be set) and if we do we're going to go to the "Enchanted Forrest" together. (Oregon's disneyland) Such fun! How are your summers going so far???

Good Clean Fun

Today the boys asked if they could run the hose and I agreed. They had the best time chasing each other around the yard, and they were getting a bit wet. So, I left them to themselves and came in to get a few things done. When they reappeared about 10 minutes later, they were SOAKED!!! Completely drenched. They might as well have jumped in a pool. But, they were so happy and had a wonderful time. I had to snatch a photo. . .

Kinder Graduation

So fun today! Ethan has "graduated" from kindergarten! They came parading out in their caps and backpacks and sang us a few songs. Then the kids gave the teachers their presents, and Mrs. Penner loved her quilt so much! It was fun to see the kids with her and the quilt pointing out which square they did. Very fun.

We're very proud of you Ethan! Way to go!

Funny Boys

Here's a funny one of Ethan re-folding his clothes the other day. I tell you . . . he seems to be taking after meticulous Grampy more and more each day. (someone else who likes all things to remain orderly at all times) I asked him why he had to re-fold them and he said "Mom, the sleeves are showing," so he took them out of the basket one by one, and refolded them, properly this time. It was cute and annoying, all at the same time! He then put them in his drawer in a circular pattern and explained to me how he goes around the circle, and which shirt would be next, etc. "Oh, but Sunday I wear my Sunday shirt and not one from the drawer." So funny. . . I must say it might be nice to have at least one other person in the home that folds their own laundry. This week I'm planning on handing him the whole basket and saying "go to town kiddo!"

And here is Chandler tonight, chowing down on a corn cob. He kept asking for more corn and I kept cutting it off the cob and then finally just gave him the cob and he ate it clean! It took him about a half hour (with only four teeth, you can imagine), but he got almost every kernel. I love it when he decides it's an "eating day." You never know with that boy. It's either hunger strike or he just can't get enough, and there's no telling which it will be.

And yes, that's a new bonk on his head there on the left. He got a little nudge in the back today right into a sharp corner at Church. It didn't seem to bother him too much at all - although I'm beginning to think that I should look into a helmet for this child! Friday evening he jumped off the arm of the sofa and put a big gash in the roof of his mouth with his bottom teeth. Poor baby! He's definitely my most adventurous climber!!! Hope your weekend was as nice as ours. . .

Pretty Blue

I almost forgot I could post these now! I did these quilts for Nicole Heiney's expected twin girls, and have been holding off sharing them because they were a surprise and I hadn't sent them yet. But, now she's got them! So what do you think? Is blue only for boys at your house?

Kindergarten Zoo Field Trip

Zoo Day! Today Ethan and I went on the kindergarten field trip to the Oregon Zoo. It was lots of fun, and lots of work, but we both enjoyed it tons! Keren watched Aidan and Chandler for me so I could go along and help, and I guess Mrs. Penner thinks I'm a good mom, because she gave me the "wandering" kid. Yes, that means that he wanders off every two minutes. I spent the entire time holding onto him while he tried to wriggle free. If ever I needed a leash for a child it was today. He's a nice kid, he just can't help it! He always wants to be at the head of the pack. I feel a bit like I was "dragged" through the zoo, and when the other mom's that know this child saw us marching up the hill, him in front, me holding his sleeve so his arm was all twisted back and draggin me up the hill they just all started laughing and told me I was the "saint for the day." I'm glad my kids know how to stay a little bit close though, and I think I'll appreciate that for the next few days. No more "I lost a kid!" panics. Whew! It was a nice day, but if I don't see the zoo for a month or two, I'm good to go! :) Love all these end of year activities. I can't beleive "Summer" starts next week!

Pre-school "Graduation"

Aidan's preschool graduation was today, and even though he'll be attending next year, he too graduated! Very fun. They sang three songs, and then presented a diploma to each child, followed by a scrapbook made by one of the student teachers. They contained photos from throughout the year and the field trips and such. So fun! Happy Graduation Aidan!!!

The Graduating Class

Aidan's favorite Student Teacher Mandy

Mrs. Laack, the head teacher

Where's Chandler?

I tell you, Chandler is such a monkey these days! He is so full of bologna and into everything he can get his hands on! Last night we were running the tub and before we could catch him he decided it was his bath time. Oh that child. . . I was glad my camera was right there so I could capture the moment right then. . . I'm sure I'll look back and smile at these things! (I kind of do already :) Can't turn my back for a moment. Literally, a moment. We still can't keep chairs at the kitchen table because he'll climb up and dance. Hopefully he'll get some good sense soon!

Bloomin' Yard

I love all the blooms! Here are some fun one's I snapped of the yard just yesterday. . .
Roses. . .

Fuchsias. . . (which happen to be the best hummingbird feeders I've ever seen!!) Don't they look like little upside down frosted cupcakes?

Peony . . .

and Sunflowers! Grandma and the boys planted sunflowers while she was here for her visit, and the boys were delighted to see all five popped up! They are watering them every day and loving it!

Kindergarten Quilt

So this week we knocked out one more project on my list and got the Kindergarten quilt all finished up! "Graduation" is in a week and a half and the class will present it at the family picnic. Each child did a self portrait with fabric markers, and I put the rest together. It turned out so cute, and hopefully Mrs. Penner will enjoy "snuggling up" with all the kids this summer. I really enjoyed having the excuse to head over to my favorite fabric store and picking out all the materials and colors. We did "dick and jane" on the back. Parents from the class almost all donated either time to help with the portraits, a few dollars for the cost, or coupons to help buy the markers, so it ended up costing me almost nothing (but time, of course). Ethan helped me figure out how he wanted it quilted, and even came up with the idea of writing the words to the song they sing every morning around the border. "Friends, friends, 1. . . 2 . . . 3. . . all my friends are here with me!" Enjoy!