Summer Bucket List

School has officially been out for 7.5 days and we have already accomplished much much more than I ever expected.  In my head, long before school let out, I planned to have the kids spend the mornings with me doing school work and then they would have the afternoons to spend with their friends.  We would have specific days of the week to work on skills such as cooking, art, field trip, etc. and become very well rounded and ahead of the game before school starts up again in September.  Never in my wildest dreams did I expect this to actually work, but it has. . . for now (I'm really hoping this continues).  (I'm kind of giddy!) 

Here's the breakdown:

June 11th - kids got out of school just before 1pm, home by 1:30pm and playing with friends the rest of the day.

June 12th - spent the morning doing worksheets together, 30 minutes reading aloud a book I picked out for us to work on together and some chores around the house.  Afternoon spent playing with friends. Beeb decided that our first official summer activity would be for us to make a dress for her new doll.  I think it turned out pretty cute, but what a pain to make!  It took 4 tries to get this dress right. 

June 13th - "Field Trip" to Wild Waves (bucket list item) with friends (because it was discount day, and not too crowded since most other school districts hadn't started summer break yet).  Super fun!

June 14th - Spent the morning doing school work, Mr. B mastered his 7's in our goal to complete the multiplication table by the end of summer, spent the afternoon playing with friends.

June15th - Went to a free fun run put on by our Stake.  Mr. B ran the 1K and got 4th!!!  Beeb managed to run right into a pole with her face before the 5K started and gave herself a black eye.  She and I were planning to run the 5K together but this sidelined her for the day so we'll find another fun 5K to run later this summer (bucket list item - must do).

June 16th - Went to AH's sisters house in the evening to celebrate Father's Day and my upcoming birthday.  Super fun!

June 17th - Spent part of the morning doing school work and then went strawberry picking (bucket list item).  We came home and capped the berries, washed them, cut them up and put them in the dehydrator.  Yum! 

June 18th - Field trip to Goldmyer Hot Springs with AH's boy scout troop.  5 mile hike in with full packs on, set up camp, had dinner and then spent the rest of the evening in the hot springs.  Everyone LOVED it - so much fun.  Got a little rain during the night but it tapered off by mid-morning.  We packed up and then spent the rest of the morning back in the hot springs until it was time to leave.  Hiked another 5 miles out - nobody cried, though we were all tired by the end.  It was a really fun trip for us all; can't wait to go back again.

I am so tired tonight but it is the very best kind of tired.  If this summer continues the way it has begun I will be one super happy momma by summers end. 

Memorial Weekend: Seabrook

Memorial weekend we could be found enjoying the raining Washington coast.  In true Washington spirit the beaches were packed despite the weather (you can't wait for a sunny day in this state or you'd never go outside).  We actually had a purpose to our visit, to help AH's brother and SIL finish putting things together in their new beach/rental house.  It's a cozy home that packs more space than what can be seen from the front yard - 3 stories, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths.

 

The first order of business was putting blinds up on all the windows - even those hard to reach areas.

 

 BTW this was also the only place in the house to get internet reception.  Apparently the internet service was installed before we arrived, but we found out afterward that you had to call in to "activate" the account. . . only they don't work weekends.  Doh!

Taking a quick break - oh, who's that cutie?  Mr. T loved all the time with his cousins.

 

 And attention from all the adults too.

Pool time was a must. . . at least 2 - 3 times each day.

Happy Kids = Happy Parents

Mr. R loved showing me all his many ways of entering the pool.

Beeb and Ms. C also joined in on the demos. 

 My beautiful Mr. B.  He was MIA for the most part playing Xbox, Kinect, iPad and any other device he could get his hands on with his cousin Mr. G. 

 Monopoly . . . I hate it almost as much as I hate playing Clue.

 

The cute accent wall in the eating area.

The white kitchen.  I *heart* white cabinetry.

 The main floor bathroom.

 

 The cute bunk room!

 

The light fixture intended for the bunk room was similar to this fixture, only antique (from Chris' childhood bedroom) and cuter.  Unfortunately it was broken during installation (so sad) and this is the replacement the builders found.  It's cute, but not at unique as the original.

This is the bedroom AH and I stayed in over the weekend.  I love the color scheme!

 

The living room is just darling.  Nat worked really had to bring it all together and I love how light and bright it is with fun beach colors.

 

I love all the details.

 

 

 

Mr. R lounging while we packed up to head out at the end of our stay.  We were all sad to go.

Ms. B claiming her spot!

 

On a trail next to the house people have built all these cute troll/fairy houses.  Beeb, Ms. C and Chris added to the collection with this fabulous mini space of their own.

Apparently Smurf's are popular with the Trolls.



So long to the as-yet-to-be-named beach house.  We had fun within your walls.  Looking forward to seeing what color you are painted this summer. 

Spirit Day

This week at school is "Spirit Week" with a new theme each day.  To kick off the festivities on this beautiful sunny Monday the theme is CrAzY hAiR.  Here are my crazy pair:

I came up with the idea for Beeb to have cupcakes on her head.  I used real cupcake liners and a red puff ball (cherry on top) attached to a bobby pin.  She was a very patient participant this morning while I figured out how to pull this off.  (Oh the nightmares tonight in trying to get all the hair spray out and detangle the rats nest that is her hair)

 

Mr. B was a bit simpler; he simply rolled out of bed. 

His hair has enough body for two or three people and it is a daily chore to tame it down. 

Needless to say he was thrilled to skip the taming process today. 

Hands On

One of the things I love most about AH is how much of a "hands on" father he is to our children.  He spends lots of time each day actively playing with the kids and they just eat. it. up! 

A few weeks ago AH decided to change the oil in his car.  This is no small task as the only way to get to the oil filter is from underneath, which requires the removal of two skid plates.  Of course AH included the kids in this process and so their introduction to basic auto maintenance begins.

 

 

I need to think of some really great Father's Day service that will show AH how much we love and appreciate him. 

Scout Hike

One of the joys of having AH being a Scout Master is that we all get to benefit from the fun activities he does with den.  Example:  In May AH took his scouts up Little Si and since it was a nice day the kiddo's and I decided to join him.  Little Si in the shadow of its big brother "Mt. Si".  It is a fun 5 mile hike with a 1200 ft. elevation gain, which is nothing compared to regular ol' Mt. Si's 3500 ft. elevation gain. 

The Sasquatch Patrol (+ a few others for good measure) as we prepared to head out.

Beeb and her BFF hiding in a little cave about midway up the trail.

 

 We made it to the top!  Look at that gorgeous valley below. 

Taking a well earned break back at the trailhead.  These boys were amazing!

 

I love the scouting program and I love that AH is a great leader to these boys and to his own son (and daughter).  We really enjoy being included on these fun adventures.