Garden Place

Saturday afternoon we went to one of our favorite garden places. It is a bit of a drive so we usually only go once a summer. They specialize in water gardens but also have a nice selection of perennials.

There is a lovely woodland path behind the main plant area that meanders through the woods. There are several little ponds with fish and lots of shade plants. It is great.

We were the only ones there so the owner took a special interest in the kids. He let them feed the fish, which was a big hit! The kids weren't sure, but he assured them they wouldn't bite. There was lots of giggles and smiles as the fish took the food out of their hands.

It was a fun outing for everyone...the kids had fun and I picked up a few more perennials and a new plant for my water garden.

Hot Day Activities

It was quite hot and humid this week, or the first part of the week. We spent most of our time hanging out inside or at the pool.

We do not have air conditioning in our home, but we do have lots of natural AC, in the form of large maple trees. If we keep the house closed up, the trees keep it shaded and it will stay pleasantly cool for a few days. If the heat and humidity persists past 3 or 4 days, the house will start to get hot, but usually by then we will get a wonderful thunderstorm that cools off the air.

Bessie making no-bake cookies

(what else on a hot day)

Dan concentrating on his army
Hannah, Dan and Gabe enjoy making pictures with shapes
We had one of those wonderful thunderstorms yesterday afternoon into the evening. It poured and the lightening was quite impressive. It didn't cool off right away and when we got up this morning it was still hot, but by afternoon, the skies started to clear and the air cooled off. It is very pleasant right now.

Gabe's Airport

Inbetween trips to the pool, Gabe had some down time playing with his die-cast airplanes. He built this airport for them on the coffee table.

More Pool Fun

Brian had the day off after his trip. He was very tired, so he spent a lot of time just hanging out with us. He watched the kids in the pool during one of their sessions, while I got some work done inside.

After a couple of cooler days, the weather turned hot and humid again. The kids just love the pool on these days...well, they love the pool most days!

Gabe has figured out how to jump off the side of the pool and land sitting in the donut. I'm not sure why it doesn't flip him out, but he does it every time! He is so pleased with himself over this feat.




I just love taking pictures of Dan. He is such a happy boy and takes pleasure in the simplest things. Here he is shooting the squirt gun up in the air and letting the water fall back on his face.

Rachel and Gabe

Hannah has gotten very brave and is doing all sorts of tricks in the pool now. Here she is jumping off the side. She has discovered that she can reach the bottom in the shallow end if she stands on her tippy-toes. This has given her a new freedom.

Ah, the joys of water!

Friends

We had friends over one day this week. It was a great day. We had our five, Debbie O's three and she had two extras. It was a great day of fun. The kids enjoyed the tramp and the pool.

Chendi, Ben and Gabe

Dan sure enjoys his watermelon
Dan spends as much time under

the water as on top

Jonathan was not sure he liked the pool
Hannah keeps Jonathan entertained
God has blessed us with a nice home and yard, a yard that is great for kids....lots of room and things to do and I am so glad when we can share it with friends.

Hazy Summer Days

I could tell today was going to be a hot humid day. I enjoy these summer days. Our winters are so very long that I wouldn't think about complaining! Let the heat come, let the sun shine!

Bessie has been wanting to have her hair colored. I have done highlighting for her, but she wanted to try an auburn color. Today was the day. She went with "Rosewood". Her hair is very dark, so I wasn't sure how it would look.

This is boring, she says

The result She is quite pleased with how it came out. You can really see the wonderful reddish highlights when she is out in the sun. She did have to forgo getting it wet in the pool today, but she managed to float around in a donut without getting her hair wet; nothing short of a miracle with four younger brothers and sisters in the pool splashing around.

The rest of the day was spent playing, swimming in the pool and enjoying a day with no where to go.

Dan attempting the hula-hoop...what a ham

Bessie and Gabe teaching the Littles
how to play Uno(Dan won this game)

I cut out the fabric for a short-sleeved shirt and shorts from the Star Wars fabric we gave Gabe for Christmas. Hopefully I'll be able to do the sewing tomorrow.

Yesterday, Bessie purchased a pretty pink and white fabric that was already gathered. You buy a certain amount and then sew up the seam and you have an instant skirt. We did that tonight and it is very pretty.

Father's Day

Mom and Dad came over in the afternoon to have dinner with us and a visit.

Bessie had vocal group at church, but did not go to youth so that she could spend time with Noona and Papa.

It was a very nice day.

Dan steals Papa's hat...doesn't he just look like he

is pleased with himself?

Noona and Papa and the kids

Dad's Day Off

Brian had the day off on Friday. He mowed the lawn and worked in his garden. Later in the day we headed out for Chinese takeout and a trip to one of our favorite places, one of the locks on the Champlain Canal. It is a lovely park like setting with picnic tables and lots of trees around.

Hannah and Dan on the bank at the locks

We stopped on the way home and bought ice cream and cones. The kids put on their suits while we scooped out the cones and then headed outside. I nice ice cream then a dip in the pool to follow. Wonderful summer activities.

The tramp makes a good spot to eat ice cream

The Pool

Our pool is such a blessing to us. We really had never thought of having a pool. I grew up swimming in the river and Brian had a lake near by.

When we first saw this house, the pool wasn't one of the major draws. It was covered and we didn't even get a look at it until the next spring. It had been closed up for a few years and was terribly dirty and needed to so much work to get it cleaned up and ready to go. I was ready to have the thing filled in!

I'm so glad we persevered and took the time to clean it up. It has been wonderful over the years to have the pool. The kids can go in and out several times a day. We don't have to pack up all our stuff just to cool off and get in a nice swim. We are able to share our blessing with family and friends. The kids get a lot of good exercise. It is a great summer time diversion from the "I'm bored" monster.

I love our pool!

Summer Fun Begins

Gabe finished his testing this week and the tests are in the mail. This is the official end of our school year.

Thursday we made a run to Target and Gabe got a Nerf dart game. The kids had a great time playing with this. Gabe especially likes playing with Dad who doesn't fuss when you shoot at him.

Gabe ready for action

The Nerf game progressed into a general shooting game. The kids have been playing Carmen Sandiego on the computer, so the warriors became the Acme Crime Fighters.

Saturday's Doins'

We were up and going earlier than some Saturday mornings.

Brian was heading over to his dads. There was a military service for Dick's friend Shiela who had passed away this year. He said the service was very nice and he had a great visit with his Dad and his sister Joanne and BIL Bill. So much time seems to go between visits. We need to make more effort to get together.

Bessie was babysitting for the O's today. This will be a bit of a challenge as they have three rambunctious boys. We picked her up around 5pm. It went very well and the family was so appreciative of the time this allowed them to enjoy the wedding and have some much needed adult interaction.

The younger group and I went to the library. It was a quick trip, just picking up books. We spent a lot of the afternoon playing outside.

Gabe found some water balloons, which were a big hit.

Look out mom!

Each of the kids had gotten a bottle of bubbles at a recent birthday party. This was a great way to spend some time. Dan managed to spill all of his, but the other kids were willing to share.

Isn't Hannah's face great?

Catch them Dan!

Later in the afternoon, the kids went in the pool. This is such a wonderful daily event. I am amazed at the difference in the Littles this year. Last year, they were all terrified of the pool, not even wanting to get off the stairs. By the end of last summer, Rachel had learned to swim. This summer, Hannah and Dan have taken off and are doing great. They are gaining confidence and enjoying themselves so much. Hannah took her first tentative strokes this week, doing very well underwater and a little bit of the doggie paddle. I don't think Dan will be far behind.

Hannah doing the doggie paddle

(Gabe stayed real close in case she had trouble)

Hannah is doing great swimming underwater

Bessie, Gabe and I headed to church after dinner to watch a play. It was called "Dream House" and was about keeping your house maintained, but more importantly, your home. It was funny in parts, but quite sobering also when you think that so many marriages, even Christian ones end in divorce.

What a fun, full day.

Recital

Bessie had her year end piano recital tonight. She had a some very difficult pieces this year and for a while, she wasn't sure if her teacher was going to let her do one. She worked so hard and really advocated for herself with her teacher, letting her know she wanted to do the piece and felt she could do a good job.

We all went, including Noona and Papa. The Littles were very good and stayed quiet through the whole thing.

She played Sonatina by Kuhlau, Shenandoah and Two Country Dances (duet) by Beethoven.

She did wonderfully! We are so proud of how she took the challenge, practiced hard and despite her teachers misgivings, played the piece very well!

Bess, all concentration

Bessie and her teacher, Miss Polly

Bessie and Victoria, another student
Happy and Relieved!

Brian stopped on his way home from work and got Bessie three beautiful lavender roses. We managed to keep them hidden until the end of the recital. She was so pleased!

Puppets

As we slide into our summer season, our days become more relaxed and less structured. The kids have more time for casual activities. This week that has looked like lots of cut and paste projects.

Rachel traced her hand and wrist and cut it out. Gabe called it the "disembodied hand" and we all thought it was a bit creepy! We soon found the fun in it as we taped a straw to the back and made it a puppet. I sat under the table, ohhing scary noises and having the hand rise up. They all laughed and thought it great fun.

This was the jumping board for everyone wanting to make a puppet, so the drawing and cutting began.

Rachel and Gabe hard at work.

(Gabe made a giraffe and Rachel, a couple holding hands)

Here are all the various puppets

It makes me happy when the kids use their imaginations and get right to work on something. I'm going to try and think of some other "starter" ideas to help them with some more projects.

Windy Wednesday

Today was much, much cooler than it has been with temps in the 50s with little sun and quite breezy. The Littles kept asking to go in the pool. They haven't quite figured out the whole change in weather thing.

Brian has been home mornings this week as he is flying late. We were able to get all of the stuff moved from out of the old storage area and put into the new storage area. The old storage area is going to be a bedroom, a small one, but a bedroom. We also put the solar cover on the pool. Hopefully the sun will come out in the next few days and warm the water up a bit.

Dan enjoying his trike

The kids had a fun time playing outside. When the temp is hot, they tend to forget all the fun things they can do...ride their bikes, jump on the tramp, swing or play in the sandbox. Today they rediscovered some of these activities.

Gabe flying high

Rachel and Gabe

Hannah loves to spin

Bessie spent time this morning working on her science. She is almost done with Apologia Biology. She has one more module to finish and then we are going to do all of the dissections. Fun, fun! I can't wait. I hope she lets me help too! She went for a run this afternoon.