A Day at the Park

Isabella spent the last three weeks at camp. Three different camps in three weeks!

Needless to say, Alex was lonely because he is used to having a big sister around to play with. We had to come up with some things to do with him while she was gone. We did swim lessons, trips to Oceans of Fun and Worlds of Fun, walked around the Plaza, and went to the park.

On this particular day Alex decided he should get out the rollerskates his grandma had gotten him for Christmas and give them a go.

He was a little unstable at first.

But he got much better!

It only took about 10 minutes of skating before Alex was exhausted and wanting to do something else.

Luckily, parks also have play equipment!!

He made some friends and had a great day. 

Swim Lessons

Alex recently finished some swim lessons at the local community center. I was so pleased with how his lessons went this year. He is finally over his fear of the water and told me to give his goggles to some little boy who needs them. We have done swim lessons every year and he always cries because he is afraid. As recently as last fall he was afraid of even taking a bath and I had to let him wear goggles in the tub, only put in a couple of inches of water, and keep his hair short enough to use a washcloth. This year, however, things have improved. He has gotten so much more comfortable with the water that you wouldn't even know he was the same little boy who refused to do much more than stick a toe in last summer! In fact, we spent today at a local water park and Alex was rushing ahead of me in the lazy river yelling "Don't worry about me, I can swim!" 

Learning how to float on his back.

Practicing his stroke. I love how he has his little tongue stuck out in this photo.

Happy as a clam to be in the water! :) 

A Trip to the Museum

Here is another set of photos from an outing with my children. Once again, Isabella had a friend staying the night. One friend of hers in particular lives far enough away that I pick her up and usually keep her for 24 hours straight. The first night, they are so excited to see one another. The next morning they are doing crafts and setting up all kinds of clubs or stands to make money. By lunch, they start to bicker over whether to use their earnings for voice lessons or acting coaching. They can't agree on a game, I still have 4 or 5 more hours until the little girl is due home. Even my son is screaming because they have been leaving him out and he doesn't like ANY of the games or activities they have been picking. This is when I usually decide to leave for some local free children's activity where everyone can have a change of atmosphere and find something they enjoy. It works like a charm. This time we went to a local children's museum that is free.

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The kids played house. Bella never scrubs the floor like that at home. 

Alex pretended to churn butter. 

Bella set the table. 

Her friend was the mother and scolded the children on their table manners.

They ate. 

They raised fake chickens!

Alex loved the fake chickens and their little coop the best.

Bella pretended to milk a cow

Alex bought stuff from the store

He worked in a factory

He farmed. (He had a lot of jobs that day!)

Once they discovered costumes they were all ready to be farmers!

Bella's farmer duds!

There was a whole bunch more stuff like acting stages, train tables, book rooms, a wii, etc. But the next section of the museum was full of kids having a birthday party so I didn't get any pictures. Instead I sat on a bench, relaxed, and enjoyed the peace of children not fighting! 

A Trip to a Local Farm

Our family recently went on a trip to a local farm. It was so much fun! I had never been before, but my sister in law invited us, and I am glad we went. Admission is free during the week, and we brought sack lunches to eat in the picnic area to also save on money. Although the farm charges for pony rides, goat food, bottles, and fishing, it isn't much and the park is big enough that this is a great (and cheap) way to spend the day! Bella had also had a friend spend the night so it was a nice way to get all of the kids out of the house so that they wouldn't get tired of one another and start fighting after having spent so much time together the next morning. I love to take friends on little field trips to prevent them from getting stir crazy and the resulting bickering. 

First the experts had to consult the map so we knew where we were headed.

Fluffy!!

I love this shot of Bella!

These pigs actually look cute 

Bella doesn't look that thrilled to touch them though.

Tiniest horse ever!

You can't tell from her expression, but she WANTED to pose like that.

Biggest horse ever.

Bella feeding the goats. You have no idea how many times I yelled "no more goat food, and I mean it!"

This would have been an awesome shot if Alex would have looked at me.

Or this one. 

Best friend cousins (And aren't those cowboy boots to die for?)

Digging at the park

Sharing a digger with his cousin.

Playing music

Riding a pony

Bella looks very serious about her pony ride. 

Feeding the goats from bottles. Alex kept yelling because both of these goats wanted his bottle and he didn't know what to do! 

Bella loved it so much! 

Alex was afraid the goat would eat his pants.

They really just wanted his bottle.

Bella trying to feed 2 goats at once.

"No! Now it really IS trying to eat my pants!"

A great day! I would love to do it again sometime. But it is a little hot out for my tastes right now. I think I will go try some of my INDOOR summer fun ideas. :)