MBG...fancy backyard

We love the Botanical Gardens...it's the perfect place for the boys to burn some energy! Tanner did Caterpillar Club for a long time and Sam will start soon!  We met some sweet friends and enjoyed the AMAZING weather! Sam decided he had no problem swimming in his jon-jon!  Our clubhouse is not quite as adorable as this one but I think we need to add a pulley system...I think I see a trip to Lowe's!

I have to admit when we were enjoying our time at the MBG, I couldn't help but be a little sad about it being my last week before Tanner started K. I'm 1/2 way through the week and it's been ok.  Luckily his days are short so we have plenty of afternoon time and even had time for a morning park stop this morning. I've run 2x already with just 1 boy in the jogger and I really am enjoying some Sam time! Sam really misses him (so do I) but I keep trying to remember we really prayed about this K year and this is where God lead our family more specifically Tanner. I can not wait to see how Tanner grows this year...he told me on the way to school "I'm ready to read harder books!" 

kinDerG...can't say the word

I can barely say the word Kindergarten!  Tanner, of course, is beyond ecstatic! I am just in utter shock that Tanner that my sweet baby boy had his first day of school this morning...it was just a half day and he doesn't go again until Friday but WHERE DID THE TIME GO?

We are so very proud of you, W. Tanner. 

 You are an amazing big brother,

Have the best helping hands around,

Are reading like a champ,

Can build anything,

Are so very serious,

You are the best listener,

A great friend,

You have such a thoughtful heart,

You are full of energy and so much life,

Are so very handsome,

You have God in your heart,

We love you so very much!

Sam...I will cherish every minute I have with you at home because before I know it you'll be in school too:(  Sam is so heart-broken when Tanner is not home..."Where's my Tanner?" is what I hear 100 times until Tanner gets home!  Maybe this year will be the motivation and encouragement I need to be confident homeschooling is best for our family!!!

STAR WARS key chains on Tanner's backpack!

Sam had to take his too...just to take Tanner to school!

Backyard Carwash

BACKYARD CAR WASH

The summer heat is really getting to us!  Our hair feels like straw from all of the swimming we have done, the heat is miserable...miserable and I'm running out of inside ideas for the boys. I have been making them go out every morning for an hour so I won't be tempted to turn on the TV.  I'll do anything it takes to stay out of the house for a few minutes aka avoiding my list of  "to dos".  I prefer to drink my coffee(i know) and read my devotion NOT looking at the dishes, laundry and paths of toys! 

 The other morning the boys hit their HEAT QUOTA quickly and I was only half way through my coffee so out came the JOY soap, water hose and all of the vehicles.  I managed to finish my coffee, read my devotions and return some e-mails...of course, I was NASTY sweaty by the time we went inside but that's ok!  My dirty car even got a scrub down complimentary of the boys!

vinegar&baking soda...red volcanoes

RED VOLCANOES

What you Need:

vinegar

baking soda

small bottle

1 box of red jello

*This is a household favorite!

First...put a spoonful of baking soda into your bottle.

Next...add one spoonful of red jello powder.

Add vinegar.

Enjoy!

Do it again and again!

vinegar&baking soda...rockets

Baking Soda and Vinegar Rockets

...it happens so quickly I couldn't get a picture

What you need:

Film Canister...we used a sprinkle jar with a push on top

Baking Soda

Vinegar

...Put the baking soda in the lid, pour vinegar into the canister, quickly put the lid on, sit on ground and watch it explode!

...You will have to experiment with how much baking soda and vinegar you need.  This is part of the fun!

Afterwards we had freeplay...with the vinegar and baking soda!  I let the kiddos just have at it...they had a blast.

vinegar&baking soda...blowing up balloons

Blowing up Ballons

What You Need:

vinegar

baking soda

water

ballons

a funnel(we improvised)

a bottle(we used test tubes)

Ok.  First you need to get the baking soda into the balloon...just a spoonful or so.  This is where a funnel would be nice. We do not have one soo...

We spooned the baking soda into the funnel neck bottles.

Then dumped it into the balloon.

Next pour vinegar into the bottle or test tube...about half way.  Add water to make the bottle about 3/4 full.

Quickly put the balloon onto the bottle...shake...and watch it blow up.

WARNING...Your kids will LOVE this!  You will have to repeat the activity several times.

ADVICE...Put a baking pan under the activity for each child...it will catch the spills!

A little deflated but you get the idea:)

Family Hike...Shelby Forest

Chris and I both love to run the trails at Shelby Farms and Shelby Forest.  It is really important to us that the boys love being outside...especially being in the woods...going on hikes!  We are hoping lots of camping trips filled with hiking, s'mores and canoe rides are in our future!

(fuzzy iphone photos)