Summer time is here

It's been a little over a month since school has been out.  We are enjoying our crazy life filled with friends and activities and are excited about what lies in store for us this summer. 

I purchased a new water table for the kids.  The days were getting hot and our old one had cracked from the sun.  It's amazing what a little splashing in the water can do!

Zachary too loves the water table.  Even though Martin and Elizabeth help "show" him how to splash in it.

With the days being warmer, the kids are spending more time outside enjoying the digging holes and finding treasures (rocks) in the grass.

We can't forget about skating!  The kids have found a new hobby and even though it took some time getting used to moving in the skates, they sure do love it and look forward to skate class each Tuesday.

 Sometime we fall :(

We are super excited about all the fun things we are planning this summer!!! 

Zachary is 1

                                                                Birthday Boy

                                                                Digging for dinosaurs

Lunch time

                                                     

                                                                 I'm ready for presents

It's been a while since I've posted anything, but I should acknowledge my baby turning 1.  I can't believe it's been 1 year since he has joined our family.  He has been such a blessing to all of us.  We had a wonderful birthday party and are thankful for our family and friends that were able to join us in celebrating Zachary being 1.  We are very excited for the adventures that this next year will bring us.

Oregon Coast - Coos Bay

The only picture of Zachary...just to prove he was there too :)


Marty and Martin


Elizabeth walking away, she was done after she got splashed



Playing


Martin dragging the seaweed


Elizabeth getting splashed by the waves...and yes it was very cold!


Enjoying the water


Running...you can see his little footprints behind him.


This was our trip to the coast. We went over Marty's birthday and had a blast! The weather was perfect, however the water is always cold...very cold. This was the 1st time this summer we ventured to the coast. Next year we will have to go more often. The kids LOVED it. Even Elizabeth up to when she got wet from the wave and was just done. Martin didn't care if he got wet or not he just loved playing. The kids would run up to the edge of the water and turn and run when the wave brought water closer to them. We spent 2 hours running in and out of the water. It was so much fun. We did enjoy other aspects of our little trip, but I think by far this time at the beach was my favorite. I enjoy seeing their happy little faces.

Apple Orchard

We had an awesome time on our field trip to the Apple Orchard.


Martin running


Elizabeth on the deck overlooking the pond


Smelling the flower


Elizabeth picking an apple off the tree



Elizabeth examining the apple she picked


Martin picking an apple off the tree



Martin taking a big bite of the apple


Examining the apple


Elizabeth showing me her apple

This if a fun trip for the kids. They get to go and pick apples. One of the apples they pick go to the classroom and the next time they are at school the teacher and kids help make a delicious apple pie and get to eat it. I'd love to say that I am home baking apple pies with my kids, but I really don't have the time. I'm grateful their teacher has the patience to do this with all the kiddos.

Ode to Play dough

Elizabeth came home the other day from school singing a new song:

Play dough is fun
play dough is fun
play dough is fun
but it's not for your mouth!

It's quite catchy. I guess there are some kiddos in her school class that enjoy the taste of play dough and what a great way to teach a child that it doesn't belong in your mouth. Now we are singing it at home, even though I don't really pull any play dough out for the kids to play with, but they sure do know not to eat it!

Pictures

What a mess!!! But he's so happy!!!

Cute baby (4 months)
Yes...he is sucking on Elizabeth's thumb


My little painter




Lea Ann with the kiddos

Elizabeth taking Martin for a ride
Sisterly love
See...Martin likes him too

Late night

So...it's one of those night when I just cannot sleep. There is no reason I shouldn't be sleeping peacefully in my bed while my little ones are dreaming away. I also know that my little ones will be up in about 7 hours so I really should be sleeping as well, but I just cannot seem to fall asleep.

I figure I should inform everyone about the exciting things that have happened already this week. Yesterday was an eventful one...for Zachary and myself. Me, because I really enjoy watching my children go through their milestones. This one happens to be the rolling over milestone. I have been waiting so patiently (not really) for this to happen. I really don't want my baby to grow up any faster than he needs to, but I also know these things are going to happen whether I like it or not. He finally rolled over once yesterday and 4 times today, so I'd like to announce that I have a rolling baby. He also found his feet for the 1st time and tried desperately to get them into his mouth. Unfortunately for him, it didn't work. Fantastic for me that I don't have to teach him that feet don't go in mouths. I failed miserably on the thumb part. Yes, I have a thumb sucker.

Second big eventful news...Elizabeth had her 1st day of Preschool today. I have been waiting all year for this. I was so happy to have 2 boys at home today and get that time with them. My baby slept for the majority of the time so it was really just Martin and me. I don't think he was too thrilled about this concept, because 15 minutes into us being home he asked if we could go pick up sister from school. I had to tell him that it wasn't time for that and he was okay with that answer for about 5 minutes...when he asked again. I do think it is super sweet that he loves his big sister. They really are best buds for the time and it's nice to see them play together. Elizabeth did love her school and she really didn't care that we left her there. In fact, she got in the door and went to play, essentially ignoring us. I'm just glad she enjoyed her day at school. I could tell by her clothes that she has fun, because they were covered in paint. I am excited for my aide day, just so I can see what her school day looks like. Even though Martin was sad to leave the school, he is very happy he gets to head to his school on Friday...he needs some fun time too.