Wrapping Up the Week

Yesterday after swim lessons I had a meeting.  Bekah picked up the kids and took them to her house.  I joined the group later for a relaxing afternoon in the pool.  Princess joined the boys as they tried to throw the basketball in the hoop before they jumped into the pool.  What was amazing is that Princess kept jumping in the pool without me there to catch her.  

We next went to the library to trade out books and movies, as well as pick up summer reading prizes.  Princess fell asleep on the way home.  She stayed asleep as I got her out of the car, put her in and out of her bed, and put her in and out of the car again. She finally woke up at VBS.  

Kids loved eating quail (peeps).

Princess finished the evening by snacking on Ninja tella (Nutella).  

This morning I went to Zumba.  Now we are in our final swim lesson of the summer.

Summer Fun

After swim lessons yesterday, we went to Carmel.  Lara, Mandy, Melanie, and I brought our kids to Cory's house.  We went to her neighborhood pool.  It is so nice because there is a baby pool there too.  We had pizza delivered to the pool. 

One of our favorite activities at home is to take horse rides.  Then the kids see how long they can last on the bucking bronco.  

This morning we were at our dance studio.  I took ballerobics followed by a gymnastics class for Princess.  She tried a handstand today.  I made Champ watch the class.  Although we smiled and talked a lot as we watched her, Champ eventually said it was boring.  I asked him what he thought Princess has felt for the last 3 years.  

Now I am back watching swim lessons.  

Notice the dare devil doesn't want anyone to lower her into the pool.  

VBS

Family VBS began last night.  We learned about Moses.  Then we made musical instruments, butter, bracelets, and a headband.  

Today we have already been to see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 at a movie theater in Franklin.  

Now we are at swim lessons again.

Swimming Lessons

Yesterday was another busy day.  We began with a make up tennis lesson for Champ.  Next we had out first swim lessons of the week.  It was the first swim lesson ever for Princess.  She was a little reluctant to leave my side, but then she seemed to love it. She had no hesitation with the diving board.  

Champ went over to Jonah Smith's house in the afternoon.  Princess was devastated by that turn of events until she realized she could play with his toys without fear of a consequence.

I tried a new recipe last night...egg plant Parmesan.  The kids didn't appreciate the culinary treat.

I went to Zumba in the evening.  Princess knocked over someone's cup.  It took 2 whole songs and 4 kids to clean up all the water.  It was cracking me up.  

This morning we biked to the playground.  Then we walked to the gym.  Now we are at swim lessons again.

Third Grade Detectives

A highlight of the day for me was having Champ so exited about finishing the book we have been reading.  I have been making him read each day for 30 minutes.  I have found that it works best when we alternate pages that we read.  I have been trying to interest him in chapter books on different subjects.  I have even taken the liberty of going to the library without him in order to pick books that I wanted him to read rather than letting him pick out his own books.  I recently had him read a Third Grade Detectives book with me.  He really liked it, and he picked out another book in the same series during a recent library trip.  We have been reading 2 chapters a day in the book, but today he was adamant on finishing the book.  He was so proud of himself for finishing the book today.  He said he really liked the series and wanted to go back to the library to get another book in the series.  He also asked if he could read for 30 minutes in his room so that he can get to the next prize faster at the summer reading program at the library.  At the end of his 30 minutes, he came out to tell me that he really liked mystery books.  We had a discussion on what a great realization it is to know that you like mystery books.  That will help better help librarians find good matches for you to read.

We also went to church and played outside before Daddy took the kid to the county fair with him.  I read some of Heaven is for Real, took a nap, cleaned 2 closets, and baked.  It is amazing how long home baked foods take to make and clean up.

These are carrot pineapple muffins, sweet potato fries, and chocolate cranberry cookies.

PBS Kids Day in the Park

Mommy worked her frugality magic today.  We paid $8 for the mall parking garage.  We walked through the air conditioned Convention Center to enjoy a cooler walk and use the nice restrooms.  We loved today’s free event, PBS Kids Day in the Park, at White River State Park.  

The kids always love an obstacle course bounce house.

PNC bank offers educational activities geared for children through age 5.  After we went over some possible career choices, Princess chose a baker.  That makes sense since she loves to help me  bake.

The kids also colored bear masks in the PNC tent.  Champ was thrilled that the man said that his mask was the best that he had seen all day.

The State Farm tent was a highlight for the kids.  They got to decorate their own frisbees.  The frisbees were put on a spinning wheel, and they got to add paint.  We left the frisbees out to dry, and we returned later to pick them up.

Princess loved making a Clifford and Cookie monster in the craft tent.  I loved the craft tent because I could sit in the shade.  As part of my frugality strategy for the day, I had packed a lot of food in a lunch box as well as water bottles.  Mommy carried these around all day.  Although the food load got lighter as we ate it, the trinkets the kids were piling up in another  bag were starting to load me down.

There was a Red Cross book mobile.  Both kids got to pick out a new book.

The kids dressed like some of their favorite characters from the hit show Super Why.

Princess and Champ played basketball.

Sliding down a bounce slide is always exciting.

After close to 5 hours of outdoor adventures, the kids showed no signs of slowing down.  However, I talked them into watching a show.  Champ was chosen as a volunteer from the small crowd to join Professor Watermelon (an author) and the Watermelon Queen.  He didn’t do too well at the watermelon quiz, but he did get a free copy of one of the author’s books.

My Princess was thrilled to pose with another princess.

Mr. Daniel sang for the kids and let the kids play instruments to accompany him.  The kids had no interest in leaving, but I was ready to head out.  In addition to being the unofficial holder of everything, I was also the unofficial stander in lines.  I would wait in a lengthy line while watching the kids go to a booth that wasn't crowded.  

As soon as we left the event, my kids were both suddenly afflicted with terrible pains in their legs that made it seem unlikely that they would make the walk back to the car.  I had us walk back through the air conditioning in the Convention Center.  We also took a restroom break there and enjoyed cold water from a water cooler.  Champ said, “That hit the spot.”  The only other place we used the restroom today was in the NCAA Hall of Champions.  (I don’t feel that I really have a port-o-potty crew if given another option.)  I also had Champ use the drinking fountain in the Hall of Champions to refill our water bottles.

We drove to Greenwood Public library to get some of our prizes for summer reading.  I let the kids play both inside and outside.

Of course, you can’t go to the library without going to Mrs. Curl’s ice cream.  I used one of my coupons from the summer reading program to get a free cone.  

I was hoping that this tasty treat would refuel them for grocery shopping at Meijer.  I was wrong.  They were cranky shoppers.  They fail to appreciate the frugality magic mom tries at the grocery store.  Actually, it isn't magic.  It is answers to my provisions prayer and practice.

At home, I made dinner while the kids watched more Inspector Gadget.  They have loved this old DVD that I borrowed from the library.  

We read more books before bed.  I’m trying to regularly have Champ and I read for 30 minutes in the evening.  We have been taking turns.  I read page 1.  He reads page 2.  When continue alternating for the entire time.

Summer Lovin'

Today was another wonderful summer day!  We had more homemade raspberry waffles before heading off to my Zumba class.  We raced home so I could quickly get ready to meet the Wenricks at the Children's Museum.  We were so excited about our first opportunity to explore Take Me There: China.

I cashed in our library coupons for free cupcakes at Truly Lovely Cupcakes.  Champ had a banana split cupcake, and I had a Red Velvet cupcake.  Since Princess had fallen asleep in the car, I told Champ that we should never speak about this.

Our next adventure was the Ronald McDonald show at the library.  Champ enjoyed it.  Princess slept on my lap for a good portion of it.  When she awoke, she wanted to stay safely in my lap.

We joined most of the city in checking out Fresh Thymes Farmers Market.  It was crazy.  Almost every parking space was taken.  There was almost a wreck beside us as we walked in.  Thought we were going to witness some road rage too.  It is such a shame that it costs so much to eat healthy.  I snagged a few deals and a few new foods for us to try.  

We finished off our day by bringing home Papa Murphy's Pizza.  I had acquired 3 kid sized pizza coupons.  We cashed those in and bought 3 of their $5 pizzas to stick in the freezer.  The kids wanted pepperoni pizza.  Of course, I made them eat it with a fruit and vegetable.