Cute Caterpillars

Today was craft day in our summer schedule of events and the boys were ready. I was too because I had this cute idea and I wanted to see if it would work and it did. We made cute little caterpillars out of egg cartons and pipe cleaners. Then we added color and some eyes, nose and mouth. They turned out so good that I am thinking of making a small bug garden, but you'll have to wait to see the new creations I come up with. Here are our caterpillar making adventures and results.

First step was to cut the egg carton in half and then color it. We used crayons, but paint would work great.

Then we used a skewer and poked holes to thread the pipe cleaner through to make the legs and the antenna.

Last was adding the final touches to make a face and there you have a cute caterpillar.

Lawn mowing surprise

I was mowing the lawn today and found a surprise hidden among the long grass and rocks of our "driveway". There hidden in the grass was a big fat toad.

I called the boys over to see and they all gathered round.

I then tried to get them to pick it up and Ben said; "No. It's dead." Chris and I told him it wasn't and he poked at it with a little vial he found. For a moment nothing and then the toad leaped to safety under my van. No one was brave enough to touch it let alone pick it up. I was really looking forward to taking a picture of their expresions when it jumped out of their hands. But alas, I was denied the pleassure.

Documented Proof

What you are about to see might cause heart failure. Well maybe not, but just in case you might want to sit down before you get to the pictures. Each week we have to clean the house and I say we because I won't do it alone. I don't make all the mess why should I clean it all. Well now I have documented proof that my children help clean the house. Yes you read right - my children helped clean the house this past weekend and I got pictures. Well Doug took the pictures, but only after my request for him to do so. So without further adieu here they are:

Benjamin vacuuming and Christopher cleaning their bathroom

Not sure what Evan is doing (maybe the vacuum dance to help Benjamin), but Benjamin is still vacuuming

Fun in the sun

We got lots of sun today after the kids came home from school. Hope we aren't too burnt. I did apply suncreen. It was only a half day because it was the last day.

We went swimming.

Ate special treats made by Aunt Paige - Rice Krispie Treats

And just hung around

Last Day of School!!!!

Today was the last day of school for Benjamin and Christopher. My how the time flies.

Here is the burden of the first day of school back in September

Here is the freedom of the last day of school!

AH! To have the freedom of summer vacation again. I think I would like it please. Please? PLEASE!

First summer outing - take 2

Head of the first trail we took. We actually took parts of 4 trails that made a big loop back to where we were parked.

Ready! Set! Go! And they are off. Ben and Evan take the lead easily.

Doug, Alexis, and Chris bring up the rear

Some of scenery we saw and way up ahead are Ben and Evan

Our poor little trooper: Christopher

First Summer Outing - Take 1

This summer we have plans to do something local every other weekend. This is in lieu of going on a big family vacation which we do every other year and last year we went to the Oregon Coast. So we went out to a local park and did some hiking. A very good day to go. It was overcast and not too hot, but with the coolness came one problem: MOSQUITOES. I hate those little blood sucking vermin. Everyone got sprayed down with Off and yet I still came away with three bites right where they get bothered easily - the back of my arms right under my shirt sleeve. Even though I was live bait I still had fun and so did everyone else. Even Chris who was still coughing a lung out. Alexis loved walking and did a good amount of it. She also was very bossy when some of us would get too far ahead of her and she couldn't catch up. Ben and Evan loved being in the front and leading the way. All in all a good start to summer.

We started out with a picnic lunch. There were hamburgers, peanut butter sandwiches, doritos and peaches.

Alexis took a walking hit

But got right back up and started walking again

Benjamin found some mushrooms on the path

At our first break we had licorice and Benjamin decided to make a green licorice smile