Playing Catch-Up

This has been the CRAZIEST, BUSIEST summer EVER!!

First week of summer break, landed us at Boy Scout camp all week. Grace was able to go a few days with Grant as a tag-along.  They both LOVED the experience.  It was a definite kid win.  Then, Grant did basketball camp, and Grace spent the mornings at art camp.  Two weeks, back to back camps, totally amazing if you're a kid.  Not so much if you're a mom.

Play in the sprinkler.  Even our sensory scared Trent got in on the fun!

Wash the car.  This is also called: do a poor job of washing the car, only to end up having a rag throwing water fight where the rags end up on the top of the car for Mommy to get while the kids soak her with the hose.

Eat Candy for Breakfast

Visit another state's capital, go to the zoo, ride on a train, ride on a merry-go-round, go on a pony ride, and visit a City Market, go on a road trip, swim in a hotel pool, finish 10 books each (Grant's winner of the bunch:  Son of Neptune and Grace's winner: Frozen),  ride on a roller coaster (Grant only... Grace, much to this roller coaster loving momma's dismay, has declared she hates roller coasters) and visit a science center.

Thank you, Columbus.

As a side note, Trent talked about the train ride, his pony ride on Nick and that merry-go-round non-stop for days.  It's still his main course of dialogue.  I guess that day at the zoo had a large impact.

This picture is actually for Grant's pen pal in Austrailia.  It was kind of hard to find pen pals at first, but now the kids have pen pals from Africa, Austrailia, Tasmania, the UK and Canada.  It was such a great moment when Grant said, "Mom, can you take a picture of me with the flamingos?  I want to send the picture to Aroha (his pen pal in Austrailia) because it is her favorite animal."  Success, friends.  Success. 

Oh, and Grace lost her first tooth!

And, a little late: Our little penguin loving five-year-old had enough nerve to have another birthday!!  We celebrated with her choice of dinner, a cookout with family, and a night out at her favorite Chinese restaurant.  She is still the sweetest, most helpful, full of manners young thing I can imagine, and we just adore her.  She loved opening some accessories for her bike, a new sewing machine, some fun craft thingies, and a movie or two.  Feel crazy blessed to call her ours!

More Off of Our Summer Bucket List

A beautiful three day weekend, and we were able to check some more off of our list!!

First off, two items are finished but with no pictures: jump on a trampoline became visit an indoor trampoline park and eat Japanese food.

But, we did accomplish a few more with pictures.

Have a bonfire
The glories of having land upon land--fire is a kid favorite at our house.  You throw in a tumble in a creek by mommy, and you have Grace declaring it the "funniest day of her life."  All in the name of laughter and childhood, right?

Watch a movie from the 1960s
The original Parent Trap, anyone?  Ah, the smoking and drinking and spousal abuse that can only be from a bygone era.

Just seven school days left... and then, the real fun will begin!!

The Slow March to Summer

I have received some flack for starting our summer bucket list early.  These naysayers simply don't love summer.  Or fun.  Or both.  We're plowing ahead!

Have a Cultural Experience and Visit a Children's Museum

Thankfully, the Indianapolis Children's Museum is always top-notch!  The Terra Cotta warrior exhibit  is here, and it's all about China.  Thankfully, I know someone from China, so it was extra special to get to celebrate on opening day.  We visited the warriors and the Take Me There--China exhibit.  Fantastic.  The kids had a fun time learning all about Kung Fu during a special break out session, and they were even able to perform for an audience.  They even made the Children's Museum facebook page: HERE.  

Jump at an Inflatable Park
A kid favorite.  Well, if by "kid," you mean anyone other than Trent!

Help with an Outdoor Service Project
This project was great as they were able to help their own school with their own teachers!  A huge win!

Eat at a new Mexican restaurant (El Sol de Tala)
A fun experience with good food!

 Eat Soul Food
Thank you Kountry Kitchen!  Grant fell in love with tips!

Allergy testing stinks

Especially when you are a kid!

NO MORE DIAPERS, probably FOREVER

That's right?!!!?  My baby boy is fully potty trained--even through the night!!!!!!!!  It took about a week and a half, but we have done it.  He was even able to communicate at church this morning about it (thanks, Sara!).  I couldn't be happier and prouder and more ready to be done with diapers.

Most likely forever.  Most.  Likely.

Bucket List

Summer might still be--officially--weeks away, but this summer lovin' fam has started on our bucket list with a bang!

Watch a Civil War Reenactment

This was supposed to be spectacular.  This was supposed to create a sense of awe in my kids.  This was supposed to wake my kids up to the marvel that is history.  It didn't deliver.  My neighbor informed us that he would be using his sixteen neighboring acres to practice a piece of a larger reenactment scheduled for later in the summer.  Come over and watch?  You bet!  He had warned us that there would be muskets and "fake" death and such; my kids were STOKED.  We must have showed up at the wrong time--the BORING time--because all we watched, for like an hour, was the North and South marching.  Marching in a circle. Marching in a straight line.  Marching.  No guns.  No cannons.  No fake death.  As we were leaving, Grant declared the Civil War the "most boring war in history."  

Go camping

McCormicks' Creek was great.  Everyone slept well, except for Momma who was right under the "window" that Daddy staked open.  As great as the park was, I left wondering why we bother: we have woods, a creek, a huge bonfire pit, and a field large enough for the whole of the neighborhood to camp.  Next camping trip=out back!

Visit a State Park Nature Center

Eat Greek food

It might be a gimmie because we LOVE Greek food and eat it like every other day month, but hey, sometimes Mommies deserve breaks too!  Opa, y'all. 

More to come... much, much more to come!

Grace's Note to Grant

I found this during my cleanings today.  I'm not sure what a "butt-butt" is or why Grant would be saying it, but I think this is about as cool a compliment a seven-year-old boy could receive from his doting sister. When asked, she said she wrote down some reasons she loves him.

Dear Grant,

You tell the funnyest storys.  You make me laugh.  You are deskusting (disgusting).  You are gros (gross).  You are cool and awsome (awesom).  And funny.  You say butt-butt.  And you love me.  Love, Grace.

Only a seven-year-old boy could take such delight in being "deskusting" and only my sweet and insightful Grace would know that he would love it and not see it as mean-spirited.  They really are the best of friends, and this momma couldn't be prouder.