August Fun

Ahh...the lazy days of summer! It was so nice to stay in our PJs until mid-morning and do whatever activity sounded good that day, like ...

...washing our vehicles,

playing T-ball,

 making and trying tin can stilts (I have GREAT memories of this from when I was a girl),

 launching a baking soda rocket (We couldn't get it to go anywhere near the 15 feet the front of the box touted, but Ian got it to go at least 7 feet once!),

 cuddling,

and reading books.

 Ian was a GREAT helper this summer. One morning, I jotted a quick list of the things that we'd need to gather before going to a splashpad to play and eat lunch. Ian willingly helped grab things (or read the things to me and then cross items off the list). Before we left, he said that he needed to make a list, too.  So precious! This type-A momma was proud to see one of her kiddos making a list AND also happy that our biggest goal on most of these summer days was just to "play."

 One morning in August, we celebrated a reading goal that we had set for Ian (and that he accomplished) by going to Chuck E. Cheese to play games. We invited Isaiah and Aunt Chelsea to come celebrate with us (our other cousins were on vacation). I didn't end up getting any pictures of Ian, who most liked a racing game where he had to bicycle in place and steer, another game where he got to shoot at a pretend spider, and Skee Ball. Ryan, Nathan, and Isaiah most liked riding the rides, especially the train that went around in a circle.

 This is a terrible picture, but it's how the boys spent most evenings between bath time and bedtime when the Olympics were on... curled up on the floor right next to the TV. They loved watching the athletes (and all of the commercials, too, since they usually watch only Netflix).

 These last few pictures were taken when school was back in session. One day (when Ian had school but Ryan didn't) Ryan and Nathan helped me clear out a sandbox that had turned into a mudbox. They loved getting completely covered in mud (and have since really liked playing in the dry, much less messy, new sandbox sand).

 One morning this month, we had our godson, Samuel, over to play. I bribed them to come with me on a jog with a promise of doughnuts at the end. :)

 Nathan "helps" in the kitchen nearly every time he sees me start meal preparation. Generally, he insists on pulling a chair to the counter and standing right beside me to help stir, add ingredients, and mainly sample. This day, though, he wanted to pull out the biggest pot he could find and then sit in it. :)

We are thankful for a fun end to summer and a happy start to the school year routine.