2011 Summer List

I saw the idea of a summer list on a blog I frequent and knew we needed to make one. Summer seems to slip by so quickly each year and I wanted to plan for that. We made a list of all the things we'd like to do this summer, and it has helped me be proactive with the kids and how we spend our time. As we worked on our list, I was convicted how self-centered many of our activities were. So we thought of ways to encourage spending time with other people and serving. You can click on the picture if you want to see what's on this year's list.

Niabi Zoo

The kids and I finished out the month of June with a trip to the Niabi Zoo. We were joined by my friend, Stacia, and her son, Drew. It's a wonderful place to go with friends and young children.

After checking out the elephants, koi, and monkeys, we made our way to the petting zoo. Sylvia was scared of feeding the goats last year but thoroughly enjoyed it this year. Eric also enjoyed getting in on the action and wasn't afraid at all.
Visiting the lorikeets proved to be a challenge with Eric. He is very squirmy and difficult to hold onto and he became twice as squirmy as usual when surrounded by birds. Sylvia was disappointed that I didn't buy bird food for her but did enjoy letting the bird smell her like she has learned to do with dogs.
I'm sure I'm missing a few, but we also got to see giraffes, lions, camels, and bobcats. Sylvia was confused when I pointed out the bobcats because she is used to kind we have throughout our neighborhood.
Eric slightly overcame his fear of riding carousels. He is usually very clingy once the animals start going up and down but once I got him to hold onto the poll he relaxed.
Erickson, Sylvia and Drew. We did not plan the orange shirts. The funniest thing is that Eric's shirt says, "My Dad is a Rock Star" and Drew's says, "My Mom Rocks."

4th of July Carnival

Sylvia loves carnival rides! As part of our 4th of July celebrations, we took her to Morrison Park and she got to ride every kiddie ride. We were able to leave Erickson behind with family at my parents house since it was his bedtime.


We could tell that Sylvia has some experience driving a boat as she actually steered this little one around pretty well.
Sylvia saved the big slide for last. She went down all by herself the first time and invited me to join her for a second trip since it was so much fun. Dan noticed that the sign said you couldn't ride it while pregnant...but we didn't see that till I was done.


My dad's five brothers and sisters were in town for the 4th. Sylvia enjoyed all the attention from her personal cheering section.Sue, Chris, Linda, Gary, Jennifer, John...and the carnival worker.

VBS

A friend and I taught the 3-year-old class at Parkview's Bible School a few weeks ago. We had 16 3-year-olds, including our daughters. Our hands were full but the week went wonderfully and we all had a great time. I cannot believe how well the children behaved and how well they listened. Erickson joined us at VBS on Tuesday and Thursday. He is still taking a morning nap so he stayed home with Grandma and Nana the other days.

Bible School started each day with an opening program with music and a drama. It was a little wild for some of the 3-year-olds but Sylvia really enjoyed it. The nursery kids also got to join the opening program. Sylvia kept trying to get Eric to dance with her. Grandpa was also at VBS helping out on the playground.
Sylvia invited her friend, Grayson, to join us at Bible school for the week. Her cousin, Carl, was also there the first few days. Our class had a large group lesson as well as small groups during the week. We also spent plenty of time playing in the classroom and on the playground. This year the theme was "SonSurf Beach Bash."
I don't have any pictures from craft or mission time, but Sylvia's favorite Bible School activity was music. These pictures don't need any words. You can see that Sylvia loved learning the actions to all of the songs.

Sylvia enjoyed all the yummy snacks and juice. We don't do juice at home so this was a special treat.

Father's Day

Each year the kids make something to give Dan for Father's day. This year I had Sylvia draw a bunch of little pictures and we put them in a small mint container. Now Dan has a collection of "The Many Mini Works of Sylvia." We also bought the book, Hands; growing up to be an artist. Lois Ehlert, the author and illustrator, writes a storybook about how her family used their hands to build things, sew, and work in the yard. A guest reader from the library read it to our preschoolers last fall and I knew I had to get it.

Playgroup Picnic

Three years ago a few new moms started a playgroup. We met frequently at first and only occasionally over the last year. A few of people have already moved away and another three did this past month. We were able to get together for a final playgroup picnic back in June. What a blessing that group of moms was to me during my first year as a new mom!

Bethany, Estlin, Shana, Juniper, Violet, Laura, Erickson, Kristan
Sylvia, Adalaide, Stella, Corbin, Eli, Ben

Sylvia took a few spins on the merry-go-round but prefered being the one to push.

The big kids took lots and lots of turns down the twisty slide.

This stearing wheel occupied Eric for the better part of the evening.

I love watching Dan play with his kiddos.

Adalaide, Stella and Sylvia

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

My mom took Sylvia and I to see If You Give a Mouse a Cookie at the Old Creamery Theater a couple weekends ago. Sylvia did great during the play. She stayed pretty quiet and seemed to be following along. After the show, she told me she wants to be a player when she grows up. Sylvia has been getting us to act out different parts of the show. She is very dramatic and loves to pretend and play make believe.

Play Dough

Erickson loves to try doing all the things his big sister can do. Play dough has been a recent activity he enjoys. I do have to watch him pretty closely to make sure he doesn't eat (too much of) it.