Fourth

My kids did some sporadic swimming lessons this summer.  In the end, I kind of regret it.  I chose to find a private teacher who could come to our pool.  Seemed like a good way to do it, so we don't have to pay extra membership fees for a gym or pool when we already have one.  My kids are decent swimmers in the fact that they can stay afloat and get from one end of the pool to the other.  All I wanted was for them to learn good freestyle technique.  After all is said and done, I don't feel like they are much better...especially for how much it cost me.  Activities out here cost an arm and a leg.  It really wasn't worth it.  I guess we'll call it a "sunk" cost :)

 Lily's got it covered

 I planned on putting Kate in lessons as well, so I guess the broken arm was a little blessing.  She continues to be comfortable and independent in the water, we sure love her floaty.

 For the Fourth of July I researched high and low for a firework show on the fourth.  There weren't many options.  I guess what happens here is that "everyone" heads to the shore for the break and so they do the local firework shows a few days before.  As we piled into the car it started to rain and it was an impressive rainstorm.  All the security officers were still out and told us it would happen rain or shine.  So we found a parking spot nearby and enjoyed an amazing lightning storm, as well as some fireflies, and we wondered if it really was going to happen.  It did after all and the firework show was a really good one.  The best part was no crowds and the 5 minute drive home!

 I really wanted to do something festive on the fourth and so I did find this museum in Princeton, which used to be the home of Richard Stockton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.  They put on a free celebration and had several demonstrations and hands on activities of colonial life.  It ended up being a little rainy and very cold, but we still had a good time.
They are signing the Declaration

Homemade ice cream

Potpourri bags, I forget what they're called

 Making yarn

 Daddy and Tommy went missing for a while and this is what they were up to.

Pretty impressive, and boy did he love it

We had lunch with some friends and then a quiet evening at home and then to bed on time.  Not too bad.

My four on the Fourth

Oh, and of course we had to pull out the cotton candy machine

 That Saturday we went on a fun day trip to the Wild West City, about an hour north of here.

 They had several horse racing, gun shooting bandit shows that the kids loved.  They didn't mind that they couldn't hear what they were saying over the terribly staticy stereo system.

 Some Indian dancing too

 Tommy was in his element.  He LOVED this place!

 In the old school house

 Tommy got a gun :) 

 And a fabulous finish to the weekend with our tradition of blueberry crisp...our all time favorite dessert!

In Summer

We have been having a fantastic summer.  The kids made a list of things to do and I think we've pretty much covered it all.  It's hard to believe it's August already!

Last day of school!

Climbing trees

Playing in the rain

Lazy days in pjs

The first weekend of summer we held a garage sale/bake sale/lemonade stand.  We involved the kids as much as we could in planning, preparing and executing the sale.  They really enjoyed it and won the hearts of many passers-by.

Then we had a Gallup work event at the baseball game

Me and the girls ducked out early to head to bed while Tommy and Jake stuck around till the end.  And it paid off.  The last hit of the game the ball flew right next to Tommy and he got it.  He was on cloud nine.

I made a decision to try and make the most of the beach this summer, since it's only an hour away.  I only made it out twice on my own, but I'm still proud of myself.

Lily loves to eat sand!  I honestly can't believe it myself.  I have to put her in the middle of a few towels and give her lots of snacks to distract her.

Our first trip to the beach was the warmest one.  The other times have been borderline too cold.  It has been a really mild summer.  No complaints as long as it doesn't bring winter sooner.

We took a little day trip to a fun "Castle" playground.  Definitely worth it except for all the summer camp kids.  It's seriously a joke.  They're everywhere!  From parks, to restaurants, malls, museums, even Broadway in NYC.  They're just so massive and so loud!

This kid needs more boys in his life!  None at home, one at church, and all his school buddies at summer camp :(

Treasure hunt in the backyard

Catching fireflies!

 

 Petting zoo at the library summer reading program family festival

Jake acquired a canoe for a day from his high adventure camp out with the youth in our church and he took the big kids on the canal in the back.  Rachel now has a "dream" of buying her own kayak and going kayaking.

Lots of turtles out sunbathing

 

Backyard camping with s'mores.  That's as adventurous as we're getting this year.

Firefly show!  They light up the trees like Christmas twinkle lights...it is truly mesmerizing.

And lots of time at the pool!  The big kids have had lessons here and there but I still feel like they haven't improved much.  They can keep afloat just fine, but I wish they could pick up some real strokes.

The kids have had lots of time just to play together.  And all three of them get along really well.  They do have lots of quarreling but it has been fun to see their relationships strengthen and the fun they have together.