Setting Up Camp

We made it through one night of our planned two-night camping trip until the threat of storms caused us to relocate to a friend's house for some indoor camping (which was really quite lovely, too!) The kids liked that our site included a vine to swing on, as well as a late-night visit from raccoons, and an opportunity to try fishing in the rain.

Pirate Eli swinging through the campsite

S'mores are essential when camping

Gathered around the campfire

Wild forest creatures

Hometown Summer Fun

The kids and I spent a few days at Mimi and Pa's house, and even though the weather was not very summer-like, we found summer fun at the parish festival, at the kiddie pool in Mimi and Pa's backyard, and at our cousins' house. To escape some of the rain, we also checked out a children's museum in a nearby city. It was so kind of Mimi and Pa to let us come take over their house for a few days!

Bug hunting with Pa

 Did we catch one?

Mmmm...lilac!

Earning tokens for fabulous prizes at the festival

An evening on the back nine

Evelyn gets a private lesson from the local coarse pro

Halfway through, she abandoned the club, realizing it was easier to push the ball in with her hand

Eli is a happy conductor at the children's museum

 Captain Evelyn

Just relaxin' and doing a little fishin'

 Decorating catepillars

 Papa has all the coolest toys at his house

Mimi made homemade teal play dough (and a purple batch too, of course!)

Backyard pool party

Whew...this trip is exhausting

Cousins!

Mimi has her hands full

Lots of love for Baby E

We love our cousins!

First School Year Complete!

The last couple weeks of May into June whizzed by with a full schedule of end-of-school-year activities. Who knew that wrapping up K4 would be so busy (and fun!). Eli's class had an end-of-year party, the kiddos participated in field day, and they performed in a musical program. Now that we are in to the first week of summer vacation, I think Eli is missing his classmates and school a little, but is also excited to get to relax and enjoy summer activities.

Decorating a picture frame for his class picture

Story time

Class picture

Getting ready for the K4 program

Performing

Waiting while the other class performs

Getting a little push to start on field day

Lots of big wheel traffic on the play ground

 Evelyn is keeping Daddy entertained

Beach ball volleyball

Velcro ball catch with a K5 friend

Field day fans

Borrowing Daddy's shades

Picnic time

Eli and his fabulous teacher

Last day of school - he insisted his backpack be featured in the picture too.

Soon-to-be K4 graduate

My funny, energetic, smart little guy

Memorial Day Weekend

We spent the long holiday weekend visiting family "up north". It was a smooth trip, fueled by many snacks and Culver's food (and frozen custard!), entertained by more than one episode of Magic School Bus, and with soundtrack provided by Cities 97 (for the few hours we could take a break from DVDs).

We took advantage of the pleasant weather to explore a new play ground and "help" Grammy with her garden. We also got our money's worth at an all-you-can-eat waffle breakfast, and logged many hours of playing with Grampy.

Ice cream in the car was quickly followed by "change into jammies at next rest stop"

Evelyn knows how to get every last drop of ice cream

Sunglasses work just as well upside down

All in orange and ready to roll

Chocolate ice cream and silly girl

The lawn mowing might not come out too even if the driver keeps his eyes closed...

The debut of the balance bike

Just a little help from Mommy

The men coming back from their ride on Grampy's new toy

Getting Grammy's garden ready

More digging

A little game of croquet

Stopping to smell the flowers after some digging in the garden

 Post-church playground time

 Waffles!

Art project with Grammy - making quilts for stuffed animal buddies

 

Helping Grammy make chocolate upside down cake

 

Daddy and Eli licking the bowl and spoon clean

Chocolate smile