{ The Lazy Days of Summer }

The program. 

*Notice little sister stands there until told what to do.

This year's teams are the Athletics...

... and the Angels...

She's giving "thumbs up" all around the field. Hopefully that means she is ready for some action in the outfield!

This one has really been enjoying the swimming lessons. 

See that big smile?

And look at her learning to take a big breath before jumping in! 



(No worries, I cropped out the teacher, she really is jumping to someone!) 

This one has been getting to take her lessons with a friend. 

A race across the pool.

We've been using our time well, relaxing on the patio with a book...

...and a smoothie! A fun summer treat. 

So excited to show you a quilt recently finished! I made this one for a friend. 

She told me her favorite colors were blue and purple. (of course she didn't know what it was I was asking for!)

And this is the crew moments before they took off for a trial run overnight trip. 
Everything fit on their bikes, including 2 tents, 4 sleeping bags, 4 ground mats, a change of clothes, food, stove...They're pretty serious! 



Looking forward to spending many more days of summer, doing much the same as we have been already! 

{ the end of one is the beginning of another }

  

We found roller skates for the little one...she is loving them! One suggestion though, for anyone who will be teaching a 4 yr old to skate: Don't wear flip flops! Even consider shin guards! ouch!!

This girl just wants to pose for the camera, can you tell? She really has come a long way on these skates in just a few days. (Good thing too, I don't have to stay right next to her all the time and risk more bruising!)

And of course this one wants in on the skating action. We had our own roller rink happening out here! 

Can you guess this instrument?? I might just wait for a post or two to tell you what she is pretending to play. She has threatened asked to play this instrument when she gets to be in 5th grade a few times already. Actually, her plan right now is to be playing 3 instruments: the recorder, the flute and...

During the last week of school the elementary students get to spend a day doing different sports and races at the high school campus. Some of these happen to be very fun to catch on camera! 

Working hard on running...Go Audra Go! 

The 3 legged race is definitely one for close friends to do together. Payton and Jaden do seem to work well with each other.

Standing broad jump. I love his form and also that of his shadow! 

Audra called this the running broad jump. Not sure of the official name but I guess that is close enough.

What a great way to end the school year!

One of our sunflowers...ahh, the beauty of summer!

{What does a concert have to do with the Tooth Fairy?}

This was how she thought she could get the tooth out before the concert. She would use the toothpick as a lever and the tooth would be the fulcrum and then the weight of her hand...

During her brother's performance is right about when she actually pulled it out. (Herself!)

 

The final number of the evening was performed by all the band kids in grades 5-12. Eric got to direct them.

The next day we had company. Looks like I made them mashed potatoes, doesn't it?

I would never add food coloring to mashed potatoes. (at least not this color...)   It was playdough-- which is really easy to make, by the way.

A friend of mine needed someone to watch her son, who is Chloe's age. These two had fun drilling into the playdough man's head.

Hopscotch was also a good way to end our morning together. Love this pic.

So many birthdays to celebrate lately! I loved Chloe's card for her Grandpa H. The cakes look like they're leanin' something fierce under the weight of the candles  ;)

Trying to take a candid shot of this one is tough! She sees the camera and smiles.

I did get something actually made with my sewing machine this week, too! This is a gift for one of Chloe's little friends-- the pillowcase came together easily and quickly, as did the little matching sleeping bag.

 I've been thinking lately about getting a new machine for quilting-- it is hard to decide what to get! I need to have patience and keep researching.  In the meantime I found out that my walking foot from my old machine will fit my current sewing machine! Yay!! So I'm still able to quilt and I've begun to quilt the zig zag quilt that I showed last time.

I know some of you were really concerned about me not being able to quilt  ;)

{ spinning }

My little one was spinning around the living room the other day and the more she spun around I realized that is how my head feels these days -- without me even spinning around! Its okay though, we are in a good stage of busy. 

As a science experiment for school, Payton decided to test packaging materials. These are the materials he decided to test: packing peanuts, eco pack, fiberfill. Payton also had a "control" box with no packaging materials.

He dropped the boxes from various heights...

...and listened to hear if something broke inside...

Payton's conclusion was not to send breakable items through the mail without special packaging. The fiberfill and the eco wrap were tied in terms of "best performance". This box is proof that we did break things...

  
Aside from breaking dishes, we've been playing school. Here Chloe (who sometimes goes by "Teacher Jane") is sitting with her class.

Playing his sonatina for the talent show...

...and this one playing for the same show "Divertimento in D"...

And guess what I got to do! It isn't finished yet, but it is sandwiched together with the batting and the backing. . .I had fun with those zig zags! 

We had a park day with our church for Memorial Day- it was a good day for the swings! 

Also a good day for a bike ride. These 3 rode the riverbed to get to the park, 6 miles there + 6 miles back! 

Eight and a half days of school left. And we don't even have our summer plans made yet-- how did that happen?? There really is too much going on I guess!