Reading

I am trying to make a very conscious effort to have the boys reading every day this summer.  I of all people should know what a difference it makes when kids read over the summer and the academic slide that happens when they don't.  I am also the first to admit that it isn't always easy.  We get busy and lazy, and reading isn't their natural default activity of choice.  So far, we've been on a good streak, and the boys aren't fighting me when I remind them they have to have their reading done before they can __________.

Even Luke loves books and is beginning to tell his own stories.

My youngest two enjoying books!

This video is long, but sweet.  He waits about 20sec before beginning his story.  It's like he's thinking about the pictures and what his story will be about.

Another long video, but I just love listening to Adam read!

1,000 Pieces

I admit, I like puzzles.  However, I have never completed a 1,000 piece puzzle until just a few days ago.  Uncle Robert came to visit, and he brought with him a Frank Lloyd Wright puzzle that I just latched onto.  Even Brian couldn't stay away from it.

As we were nearing the end, we all started declaring who should be the one to put the final piece in.  (I really thought it should be me since I had invested the most time into the puzzle.)  We were down to the last couple of pieces and realized that we were missing one.  Brian then told me how earlier in the day someone at swimming lessons asked if he had been working on a puzzle.  He was surprised this woman knew that and asked how on earth she could tell!  The woman told him he had two pieces stuck to his arm.  (It was a warm and humid day.)  We figured the last piece had also been stuck to his arm and was now somewhere between our house and the house down the street where we have swimming lessons.  Brian retraced his steps a couple of times, but the piece didn't show up.

Later that night when Ben returned home from baseball, he asked if we had finished the puzzle.  When I told him that it was done, but we were missing one piece, a sly smile came across his face and he ran inside.  That little stinker had hidden a piece before leaving for baseball to ensure the he, and he alone, would be the one to put the final piece in!!

Proof of how big it was

A work in progress

Done in 2 1/2 days!

Thanks for the fun puzzle, Robert!

Target Field

Ben, Brian, and Robert enjoyed a day game at Target Field.  Ben took a cool panoramic shot with Rob's phone.

Typical Summer Day

Many of our days look much the same around here.  Swimming lessons, lots of playing time outside in the pool and trampoline, lots of playing time outside on bikes and scooters, and lots of trips to the park. And that is all before nap time!  Don't get me wrong, I love our lazy days of summer, but sometimes they don't make for very exciting blog material.

Cousin Time

Silly Faces

My baby is getting so big!

Photo Bomber Ben

Always finding ways to entertain himself

Scootering on the basketball/tennis courts was a hit!

Tin Foil Boat

Ben has mastered the front and back flips!

Is this kid ever serious?

Fun Times

They are loving the pool this summer!

A perfect way to end a hot day at the park!

Summer!

I'm stealing this first paragraph directly from Kate's blog.

There's no good excuse for why it's been so long since I've posted. Things have been so busy, but life is always busy. I miss having a more regular record of what's going in our day to day lives...  So here at the start of summer, I will set an intention for much more regular posting.  In the meantime I will try to catch up!

We have been out of school for a week.  Just before school got out, Adam and I got hit was a nasty stomach bug that kept each of us down for a few days.  I finally feel like my house is germ free.

Baseball tournaments, swimming lessons for Adam, trombone lessons for Matt and Ben and time spent outside on the driveway are in full swing.

One of the items on my to-do list for summer was to recaulk our shower...again!  I feel like I do it every summer.  The boys like to use our shower, so it typically gets about 5 uses a day.  I love how fresh and clean it looks when it's finished.  I just wish it lasted longer.

It's not an exciting first blog post back, but at least it's a post!

We are easily enetertained around here!

Adam's turn!

Matt and Luke chose to stay on the ground.

Driveway fun!