Neighborhood Summer Stuff

One nice thing about not traveling as much this summer, is that the kids got a chance to play a lot outside with their neighbors/friends. It's interesting to watch them start certain activities and games with other kids that seem to develop over a few days. Then they move on to something new--sometimes with new friends or just different combinations of friends. At the beginning of the summer, it seemed like the kids wanted to just be with one friend or certain friends, leaving out others. Now that most of the summer has gone and everyone has played so much together and gotten to know each other better, (I think this happens because when one family goes out of town, they give new kids a chance and find out they like to play with them also) they are playing more as groups. Whoever is outside gets to play. Another thing that is fun about summer is that girls and boys play together more, and they play with different ages (at least when they are pre-Jr. High.) Here are some of the things they did that seemed to capture the essence of what childhood summers are all about:

Scooters: (Sorry about the bad photo--my camera was brand new and I obviously forgot to put it on action mode) All of the kids still use these scooters. Even though they've added "rip-sticks" and "power-wings," they still ride these scooters. This jump at the Rouska's house kept getting built, torn down, then built again. Nick and his friends started a scooter gang--they use this jump, go around the neighborhood and ride to Wal-Mart & Game Stop. We'll try to get a photo of the gang if possible. I think that matching bandanas and decals are involved. . .

Eating Watermelon: What's cuter than 3 little girls eating watermelon on the porch? I brought out a large tray of watermelon for Mallory, Roma and Madi. By the time I got outside with the camera, they were all on their third piece. I guess it was too close to dinner. (In fact, it ended up being dinner I think.)

Mud Pies: Mallory and Madi--not worrying a bit about getting dirty!

Backyard water slides: Since Mallory's birthday is in May, she usually gets a water slide from one of her friends. Good thing she gets one every year since we've all learned that they are disposable. These photos were taken pretty far away with a zoom lens so it wouldn't get wet.












Bug Jars: These really gross me out, but come on, you've got to let little boys do this! Carter and his next door neighbor Rhett, collected bugs day after day. The problem is when they want to make slits with their pocket knives into metal lids, by themselves. We managed to avoid huge lacerations. Another problem is that they were discovering that lots of grasshoppers seem to gather in the tumbleweeds that get stuck in the window wells. Their solution was to get them out by throwing rocks down in there to scare them and make them jump. Hmmm. . .not too bright guys. Let's lay off the rocks near windows. Carter also entertained the neighbor kids by feeding grasshoppers to the web of a black widow.







Club Houses: Our new neighbors set up this play gym that has a little play house. The kids had a stuffed animal party in there. I'll be interested to see what else they do up there before the summer is over. Madi Rouska, Carter, Gavin & Cole Ayotte, Mallory & Kylie Branom.






Watergun Wars: They always start out fun, but eventaully somebody cries. There is one going on right now and I'm just waiting for Carter to come in crying. But it's a summer must activity. I took the photo before any fighting could start. Someone always sprays too much water too many times and the other kid feels like it's unfair. Pretty funny.



Rhett, Carter, Gavin, Jett, Kole & Jarrett

Cute body, cute swimsuit: Mallory looks so cute in her swimsuit. I'm a little jealous. My life-long, amazing, gorgeous and creative friend, Nicole Bruderer, started the swimsuit company with her sisters. It's called limericki.com. They sell modest but trendy swimsuits. Women love them too, but they are targeted for teenage girls. (She was old enough finally to fit into the XS this year, right before they came out with a pre-teen size that is even smaller.) What's great about the tankinis is that the top and bottom overlap about 2 inches, so they still cover the tummy, even when they raise their arms. Plus, the material is really thick and great quality.