Guess!

Mama, which hand is my fork in?

I love two-year-olds!

Even when they try to make their roasted sweet potatoes and black beans disappear by hiding them in the side table drawer... 

Pumpkin Smile

Adam has had several loose teeth for the last few months.  He's been wishing and hoping to lose one before the last day of school, and on the very last day, his front tooth came out!  

He came home with a pumpkin smile and the beloved tooth locket.

And then refused to put his tooth under his pillow for the tooth fairy to take away. 

He'd rather keep it than have money.

So there is a dead, bloody tooth hanging around our house for now.

This is so very Adam. 

He promises me he'll give it up once the next tooth falls out.

Which should be any day now.

Hello, Summer

On the first day of summer, the kids played school.... Ha!

 We have since picked up our summer reading program info from the library, and some of the prizes,

been to a magic show (which some liked more than others) 

 and spent a whole lot of time outside- 

We've been playing in the water (when Jason and I were very first noticing each other we got into an epic water fight at a singles ward BBQ.  That was very uncharacteristic for me, but Jason loved it and I think over the years he's been a tiny bit disappointed that I'm not always after him with a hose.  He loved this more than the kids!), 

knitting, reading, and eating outside, as well as playing with Legos (always) inside and sleeping off a tummy bug that my two babies caught.

We've hit up both pools, and had a perfect-weather-perfect-company neighborhood movie night.

Twice, on super hot days, we pulled out board games.  Adam and Leah loved learning how to play Ticket To Ride (Adam beat us girls by a mile),

and on Sunday evening we played what turned into the longest game of Monopoly Jr. known to our family.  We ended up creating joint ventures, liquidating assets and combining piles of money until finally- almost 2 hours later - Team Adam, Emma, and Mommy beat Team Leah, Noah and Jason. 

But as much as possible, we're just outside.  

Because summer looks like this- 

 and we are loving it!

So Long, School!

We finally made it to the last day of school- Adam came home one day and asked me why I had packed him a bread sandwich- cut off crusts, sliced at a diagonal pieces of bread.  Sheesh.

 Leah and Adam were ready for fun on Field Day!

 So was Emma... If only they allowd nightgown-clad little sisters to school... 

There was plenty of fun to be had leading up to the last day- Adam and Leah both really grew to love their teachers, and I was so grateful to send them off to a loving learning environment each day.  

 

And finally!  It came!

 Last day of school!  

 Photo-bombed by Emma.

 Who is always making us laugh.

Finally!  We just included everyone.  

These two have grown even closer together this year, after waking up early, trekking to and from school together every day, experiencing fire drills, tornado drills, assemblies, and all fun things school together.  I'm so glad they have each other!

As is tradition, some of the neighborhood moms set out celebratory popsicles and ice cream sandwiches to hand out to the kids on their way home from the last day of school!   

 Adam came first, with the exciting news that his front tooth popped out on the last day!

And Leah and Cameron weren't far behind.  Cameron's dad has been the "bus driver" all year, and has saved my kids from many a tardy that they would have earned otherwise.  

Everyone was thrilled that the kids survived another fun and long school year.  

And the moms survived too!  

Now we'll see how we do come summer!

A-Camping We Will Go

Adam and Jason had so much fun at their father-son camp out that we decided to take the plunge over Memorial Day weekend and go camping as a family.  The best part was probably the perfect weather, quiet campsite (there was only one other family there), unhurried pace and beautiful landscape.

The agenda included gathering sticks, checking out bugs, reading aloud from Dr. Doolittle, putting on plays and synchronized swimming acts on the stage, wading up and down the stream, archery, crossing the rope bridge, running up and over the trails, swinging and swinging around on the tire, and roasting food over the fire. The simplicity of the agenda was the best part. 

Or maybe it was the super enthusiastic husband who shopped, packed, set up, and took down the entire camp with an excitement that I have rarely seen on some of our other family vacations.  Not that he doesn't love vacationing, but camping is definitely his territory.  I only saw him sit down once, and promptly took a picture (still with food in his mouth!). 

The kids loved the traditional camp food, and everyone took their roasting responsibilities very seriously.  Especially Emma, who found a stick that she could put her bun on.  No hot dog necessary. 

No one seemed to notice or care that there were no plates to be found (hence the sausage popsicles up there). 

Actually, the best part was when we all snuggled into our new 10-person tent, tired and silly and just a bit concerned over whether or not a bear, wolf, or fox might come and find us in the night.  The kids lined up on one side, Jason and I on the other.  We started out reading and giggling and then singing some of our favorite Primary songs, including this very appropriate one-

Whenever I hear the song of a bird

Or look at the blue, blue sky. 

Whenever I feel the rain on my face 

or the wind as it rushes by. 

Whenever I touch a velvet rose, 

or walk by our lilac tree

I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world

Heavenly Father created for me.

He gave me my eyes that I might see

the color of butterfly wings.

He gave me my ears that I might hear

the magical sound of things. 

He gave me my life, my mind, my heart

I'll thank Him reverently

For all His creations of which I'm a part

Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me. 

After a few dozen more tucking-ins, another giggle fest or two, and a couple of visits from delighted-with-his-freedom-because-he's-usually-crib-bound Noah, everyone drifted off to sleep for a few hours.  When I woke up in the morning to turkey calls and woodpeckers, I found three cute faces (one in a sleep mask!) and one pair of feet sticking out at the bottom of Leah's sleeping bag.

Everyone slept soundly all night long!  And then they all piled into my bed while Jason started breakfast (I just loved that enthusiasm!)  So the best part of the trip was definitely getting a semi-decent night's sleep.

After another few hours of exploring, and at some point along the way coming in contact with poison ivy- just me, thankfully- we took one more hike, and spent a good bit of time talking about the amazing gifts that we have been given of a beautiful world and healthy bodies.  That always come so clearly into view when we spend time in nature.  And that was the best part of all.  Then we packed everything and everyone up and headed home again.  And we're all looking forward to our next camping trip in August!