The Bug Chicks

I took the kids to see The Bugs Chicks again this year at our library.  It was a packed house!  In fact, they closed the program doors and were not letting any more kids in.  Camden did not want to touch/hold the bugs so we swapped him with Ella's friend who came late.  Ella and Shae have their hands up in the picture.  Erik is in the brown shirt. 

A huge spider!

Because Camden came out, I got to view the show through the glass windows.  It was MUCH better that way!  The kids enjoyed the program and Erik even held a few more of the bugs this time than he did last year!

Camden had an hour turn on the I pads!  He played so long that he actually chose to play games besides Minecraft!  I got a bunch of new books for the kids to read for their Summer Reading Program game cards! 

Dentist

The twins had their semi annual dentist check ups and cleanings this week.  Camden took Ella into her room and sat with her the entire time. 

Erik went with Mommy and squirmed as the assistant cleaned his teeth because it "tickled".  Both kids had no cavities and Ella's 2 bottom big girl teeth are already breaking through even though her baby teeth are still in!

They both did great; not a single complaint!  They enjoyed going shopping afterwards with their good behavior tokens!

Swimming Pool!

The kids all received excellent report cards and so Brian decided to buy them a 14 foot swimming pool for our backyard! 

Brian measured and sprayed a 14 foot circle and began the 4 hour digging process!  Ella helped until I made her stop; she got really red! 

Camden helped too.  I wouldn't let Erik near the shovel, it's too heavy for him still. 

About 4pm we realized there was NO way the pool was getting built and filled that day, so we turned on the sprinkler instead. 

The 200 pound box! 

The box was almost as great as the pool itself! 

Camden had his own turn with the box and he stole some of the pool parts I was looking for to play with! 

I LOVE Camden's lips in this picture, so Grandpa Alderson!  It was getting late and dark, so I put the twins to bed. 

We started filling the pool with water and the big boys got in to smooth out the bottom with their feet and hands.  See how big it is!  

Done for the night at 9pm, we left the hose on all night and it was just filled by 7am in the morning, 3300 gallons of water!  (I hope it doesn't break & flood the house!)  The kids have had a swim lesson each time they go in before they get to play.  I tell you that alone was worth the money spent on the pool!  Erik can dunk his head in the water now, Ella can use a kickboard the correct way, and Camden can swim across the pool freestyle without side breathing!

4th of July 2014

This year we had a smaller 4th of July BBQ than normal for us, but everyone we loved was there and that is what matters! 

There was lots of good BBQ food, a juicy watermelon and ice cream sundaes for dessert after we sang to Uncle John for his birthday!  

The cousins played in the backyard together. 

Camden fit some reading in too! 

A couple of the neighborhood kids came across the street to play with our sparklers! 

The kids learned they could write words with them on the road too! 

Possibly my favorite picture of 4th of July EVER!  This is so Camden and Erik during fireworks, ha!  Brian lit a few of his own after the neighbors finished theirs. 

Us girls got comfy on the blanket! 

It was a fun but late holiday!  I got the kids in bed around 10:30pm, but it was so loud and hot they couldn't really fall asleep for a while!  

She & Me Girl Scout Camp, Part 2

I couldn't get this image to rotate?  It's also the ONLY picture I have of Ella canoeing.  As soon as we started paddling she started crying because she was scared.  She and Ellie got out and sat on the deck as us Moms paddled around for the hour! 

We found a cute photo op by the boathouse! 

Ella got to be the Caller for the Color Guard at the Flag ceremony! 

I am on the right at the end of the color guard line. 

The last early morning activity was Friendship bracelets! 

She kept the bracelet taped to her leg and worked on it at the Singing logs before breakfast too! 

After breakfast was the Camp Banquet and she received her awards for the Polar Bear Swim and a few others. 

Then it was time to pack up, sweep out the cabins, and go home! 

She also spotted a deer quite close to us. 

Overall, it was a great first time Girl Scout Camp experience!

She & Me Girl Scout Camp, Part 1

Ella and I headed up to Camp Arrowhead for our first year at Girl Scout Camp!  She was so excited and carried her own luggage to the wagon! 

We got to choose wear to sit at each meal, so the first night we sat with Aunt Jennifer and cousin Anabelle.  We had chicken and salad I think? 

Before and after each meal, all the campers gather on the singing logs to sing,  Ella is on the 2nd log up on the right.  By now she had made a Friend, Ellie! 

That night we had a Tadger Party and ate s'mores!  It was really hot, but the camp has a policy of wearing pants around the campfire.  Ugh! 

Her first camp s'more! 

Early in the morning, before breakfast, we walked all the way down to the lake for a Polar Bear swim! 

The girls had the chance to jump into the cold lake!  Ella went in with the help of our bunk mate's Mom. 

In the lake! 

We found Aunt Jennifer and Anabelle again at breakfast! 

Ella sat by her new friend, Ellie at breakfast too! 

The we went hiking around to the Corn Crib to make some arts and crafts.

Ella made a whole bag full of stuff, and I got to color her bag! 

What is a trip to Girl Scout camp without eating Girl Scout cookies?  A Samoa and a Thin Mint! 

Here are all 8 Daisy aged girls that came this past week at the campfire the 2nd night. 

The older girls stay up later and almost all the Daisy aged girls were wearing out by the end of the campfire.  To be continued...