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.

9 Weeks to Go!

I thought I'd better hurry and take at least one photo during the pregnancy that really shows the tummy size! Maybe one more right before he's born. . .

Neighborhood Picnic

Last night was our summer neighborhood picnic. It's amazing how much anxiety I have before going to things like this and they always turn out to be so fun. Even with all the "Did you steal the watermelon and put it under your shirt?" jokes. That's so funny and so clever. 3/4 of the families showed up and brought lots of yummy food. We have several new families that are so great! People ate and talked and stayed almost 3 hours while the kids played in the open grass area and jumped scooters over at the Rouskas. (It's amazing the amount of hours of entertainment that a few boards can provide.) The little kids were up in the playhouse at dark telling stories and laughing--Carter had his blanket for further effect. Nick ended up having a sleepover on the neighbors tramp--Five 13 year-old boys having a sleepover outside--I'm sure that went well. . .

It was also my mom's 68th B-day--I failed to plan ahead with a fun gift but I'll make it up to her. I called her a couple of times and got a hold of her late--she'd been to "Mama Mia" and loved it. I really want to see that. Anyway, Happy Birthday Mom!

Mallory is Home, CLEAN garage & food storage muffins!

OK, highlight of the day is that Mallory is home! I missed her dearly. She had a wonderful time. This was her first trip away from everyone in the family for that long. The Branoms said she was perfectly behaved and loved having her--very polite and she and Kiley never got in a fight. I think they spoiled her--she came home with all the money she left with.

Michael cleaned the garage! Yeah! Lowe's is awesome--he got some great shelving and bike racks and hanging thingys for tools.

Face on Nick--he ate applesauce muffins with wheat flour and pureed pinto beans in them! And he loved them! Please don't tell. Ok, I'm out of control with the food storage experimentation. Stop me!

Food Storage

Ok, so I'm on a little kick with food storage. I'm trying to organize what we have, what we need (we had a year supply before Carter so we need to update for two people), and what we need to use. So of course in that process I'm reminded to use wheat and beans etc. and have some recipes. This morning I made cracked wheat cereal--Michael and I loved it, Carter liked it, and Nick thought of every excuse why he couldn't eat it all: "The wheat pieces are getting stuck in my braces", "my stomach is hurting." (he used that one because he knows that high fiber foods can give you some intestinal discomfort if you are not used to it--yeah, in several hours from the time you eat it, not immediately! But good try.) Nick, just shut-up and eat it. And no, I did not actually say shut-up to my kid, so you can cancel any comments you were going to send.

Carter's First Sleepover

Carter went with Caleb Hunt to the rec center tonight. He called from there to ask if he could sleepover at Caleb's house after swimming. I paused and then said yes. His response was a noise I have not yet heard from him--it sounded like he was crying (Had he mis-understood me and thought I said no?) Anway, he was telling Caleb that he could in a voice that was, I guess, overwhelmed. Carter's reactions are halarious--complete emotion. When Heidi came by to get his stuff, I told her that we need her to sign a disclaimer--take Carter home overnight at your own risk! Just kidding--I just don't know how he will do! I'll post a photo if she takes one. . .

Update on "Dark Knight"

Interesting. . .Tonight on the news, they had a little segment about this movie and psycologists from Primary Children's strongly advised for children under 14 or 15 not to see this movie and why. The type of violence and how children feel afterwards I guess is just over the top. Thanks news for your support. I've never seen a news segment that chooses a specific movie to review like this.