Month in Review

Our summer is going by so quickly, about 1 month until school starts...

We have been busy and having fun, come see what we have been doing. 

Soccer camp.

 They split up the soccer buds... They made good rivals!

 Innovative back yard adventures... Adding a slide to pool.

 Learning that they need water to be able to slide!

 WOW!

 Family movie nights.

 Painting (it requires a lot of concentration).

 Bubble painting for baby.

 Mixing colors.

 Finger painting.

 And the serious painter at work.

 Lots of bug watching...

 Amazing dragonfly!

 Pest control in the garden... It is hard work keeping these critters out of the garden!

 Lots of peach picking...

 Lots of late afternoon smiles!

 Fire cracker festivals...

 Park dates!

 Soccer buds.

 more soccer camp...

 Picnic at the park...

 Several lazy pool days.

 Meeting up with old friends we haven't seen in a long time :).

 Indoor soccer.

Indoor Soccer

I enjoyed playing indoor soccer ever since I was in high school.  Mike and I played together when we were in College... In my 20's I was on a really good team for a several seasons until I found out I was prego with Josh and then I joined again just to find out I was prego with Kyle.  I retired after that, but a brand new arena was opened not too far from our house, so Mike joined a group of guys to play one night a week.  It has proved to be great exercise for him and great family entertainment! 

Go, honey, Go!

 Mike has told me that is it really funny how the testosterone really comes out in these games!

 Taking the game seriously...

 End of the game hand shakes.

 And then the little guys take the field to practice before the next game starts.

 They need some practice as the score board will reveal, but at least they had a good time!

 We found out that they offer a program for kids, so we gave it a try.

 Kyle and J were in the same class

 Not sure if that is a soccer skill or not?!

 There we go, Go J go!

 J is with the older kids.

 Lots of drills!

 Carter watched from the full length glass wondering when he would be old enough!

Trash packs

Who would have thought that tiny rubber grossly covered characters would be so popular?  They are in our house... The are called Trash Packs and have become something sort of an obsession.  Josh first learned about them at school as they would play/trade during recess and after hours.  We have joined the fun and made it a summer incentive... The boys have opputunities to earn quarters (chores and good behavior) and then can go purchase a trash pack from our stash.  They work pretty hard for these little guys! 

Earning, trading, collecting & playing!

Only a toy that o boy would love (well, secretly I get excited when we get a new pack :). 

To play "Trash Packs", you line up the guys and flick them at your opponent's line of guys... If you knock any down, you get to add them to your line.  You win when you collect all your opponent's guys. 

This is typical set up in our family room...

It is kinda funny how such a silly toy has encouraged josh to count, sort, add, color cordinate, etc...

Aren't they lovely?

I do enjoy seeing them all work together!

Game face!

FLICK!

Every game usually ends in silliness!

Alone on a Rainy Day

Three years ago this little guy was in my belly, almost ready to come into this world.  This past weekend we spent some time alone with him (something that I don't think has ever been done!).  The grandparents had J & K and C was taking a long nap.  It was raining outside... There was a slightly depressed mood (or maybe that was the quiet of it, I don't know what that is like anymore :).  We enjoyed having Jacob to ourselves for a few hours... He wasn't sure what he should do with no brothers around.  He caught sight of the back yard rain and went searching for his boots and jacket, it was fun to see him in his own world out there!  It was a perfect time to reflect on how much we love this precious little boy, he has a calmness to him (except during his 2-3 year old moments!) that we are so thankful for!

He looks kind of lonely!

 ...Not for long, there are puddles to jump in.

 And raindrops to catch!

 What a sweetie pie!

 Or maybe there is some water to drink out of the sprinkler...

 I think he enjoyed us watching just him, what do you think?

 Oh, he is growing so fast!