A few more things to do before the end of summer

#1 Slip N Slide.  I bought this for the kids mid-summer, and I think we only used it two times because we went to the YMCA pool so much.  The second time went much better because they got the sliding thing down.

 #2.  Turn in our reading logs to the library and get a prize bag. One of the books Lincoln read had instructions on drawing a bat.  I figured he would wait until I could help him, but I noticed later he had drawn it by himself.  Not saying this is anything remarkable, but def. if he gets any better at this he will surpass both his mom and dad's drawing abilities.:)

#3 Sleep in a tent.  The kids watched a Curious George episode where he went camping, and ever since have been asking to go.  I told them we could probably go sometime this summer, and didn't really come up with any plan until I found out my parent's still had their tent.  It's' a petty big tent, and in decent condition since I don't remember it being used a whole lot.:)  I know my Dad for one, has great memories of this right Dad?LOL  We decided to sleep in the backyard, mostly because I knew I would probably not last the whole night!  It ended up being a pretty late night before we even tried to sleep, because I had to go to the store to buy some missing pieces, and also because one of the poles was broken.  We got it up though, and it lasted the whole night into the next afternoon. Not sure if you can see, but there is an extension cord going from the tent along the grass to the house.  That was for the fan that we had blasting in the tent to cool us off, and block out those NOISY bugs...zakedas?  No idea how to spell this, but if you live in KS you know what I am talking about!

 We also attempted roasting marshmallows over the grill...don't laugh.  Hey, the kids thought this was terrific!

 No, I did not last the whole night, and Matt now has some weird foot problem that is better now but made him limp around for a couple days. Long story, but we thought we had an air mattress but realized after it was already really late that we did not.  Matt told me he would "be fine" of course, so we ended up piling a ton of blankets for some cushion.  A couple hours later I came out with the crib mattress, and said to him, "we are going to need another one of these some day."  No, I am not pregnant, but would like to be at some point again, and those things are not meant for Daddy's to sleep on! LOL   I guess it did help alot though.
I would have been fine with sleeping on the blankets if it wasn't for those stupid loud, ok I looked it up, I think it's "cicadas.".  I cannot believe how loud those things are. Like I had the fan blasting in there and still could not drown them out!
So after reading all that you probably think we are done with tenting.  Wrong, although for the most part the plan is now for them to fall asleep out there and then we put them back in their beds.  Also I think Lincoln is going to have his 5th birthday party be a tentover so we will be investing in a quality air mattress.   I am annoyingly determined to do this once every summer with the kids,  so I will also be getting ear plugs and a really loud battery operated noise maker for next summer's attempt. After all, camping is alot of fun it wasn't for the sleeping part.:)

On another note...hope I can keep this blog up, but my entries may be a little sparse this year.  Kids start preschool Wednesday, my first day of school.  Matt is going to be able to work from home and be with them after they get done with preschool. Very thankful for that, but it will still be a change for us all. Appreciate the prayers.
12:22a.m.  supposed  to be switching my clock around. Good night!

Nebraska

A few days after we got back from KC we went to visit Matt's parents. All these trips explain why July went so fast! And I guess the fact that I knew I was going to have to start working again in August...

In June I accepted a full-time elementary music teaching job, so the rest of this summer has of course FLOWN by!

Lyla is a pro at driving this now

Playing Mario- this is definitely one of Lincoln's favorite things to do at Grandma's.

At Great-Grandma Schroeder's house.  They are playing a game Matt said him and  his brother used to play a lot when they were little.

Grandma gave us some yummy pie!

We went to the fair and this was Lincoln's reaction when we went to see the animals.

Matt's Uncle Norm and Aunt Sandy selling homemade ice cream at the fair.  It was REALLY good!

Watching the rodeo.

 

KC trip

Two weeks after CO we went to KC for Abby's birthday party.  We went to Jumping Jax and Legoland while we were there.

Abby, Lyla, Caleb, and Lincoln at Jumping Jax  I realized I didn't get many pictures of the boys because I followed the girls around most the time!

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I was really pretty amazed how well Lyla followed directions during this .  There was a lady in the front of the room giving step by step directions on how to build the lego camera, and she seemed to get alot of it on her own.  I knew Lincoln could do it because he does so many legos at home, but I guess Lyla has picked up alot from watching him so much!

Imax theatre at Legoland.  Lincoln of course LOVED this and went a couple times.  It was a little scar y for Lyla so we didn't make it too far into the movie.  She didn't like it when things looked like they were so close to her.

Happy 3rd birthday Abby!

Tossing water balloons