Library Fun

 Our local library puts on quite a few fun summer programs and activities.  I've tried to get the kids to one most weeks...although we usually come home with around 50 books so it can get a little heavy to go :-).

One Friday they did a parachute story time.   The big kids were busy picking out books, so it was just the little girls participating.

Juliana wasn't a huge fan (which really surprised me b/c she's usually up for anything), but there were a lot of kids so it may have been a bit overwhelming.  However, Kari LOVED it.  Just look at her cute little face in the next few pictures!  Such joy!

Kari also ran into a little friend from preschool, Emma.
The girls hugged and were so excited to see one another!

 Another day there was a stamping activity following story time.  It was something everyone enjoyed.

Christian was very methodical about his stamping.  So cute to watch him work :-).

There are quite a few other programs and fun demonstrations that are put on--although some of the ones geared toward the older kiddos are in the afternoon during nap time so we haven't been able to make it yet.  But, there's still time and plenty of fun activities planned!  We are very fortunate to have such a great library nearby!

Park Time at the Ball Park

 While Christian was doing his baseball camp, the girls and I went over to the park area next to the ball field and had some fun of our own.

We played tennis...

 And we found a FANTASTIC climbing tree!  The kids were so excited to discover a tree they could actually climb!

 After camp was done, Christian came over for some climbing fun too.

Next to the tennis courts and climbing tree, there is a little park that we'd go over and play at for a bit too.  I love this picture of the girls holding hands.  They really are such good friends--makes my mommy heart so happy!

 On the final day of camp we went early and packed a picnic lunch (this was mostly so Christian could get in some extra tree-climbing time :-)).

Butterfly catching was also on the agenda.  (Emily and her friend, Kristin, caught a couple; the little girls just caught flowers:-).)

Some of the flowers Juliana "caught" for Mommy--so sweet!

Thankfully, the weather during this week was really beautiful and it made for a fun time at the park!

Swim Lessons

 We did swim lessons a little bit differently this year.  Instead of morning lessons, we signed up for the evening so that Cubby would be able to get in on the fun!

Nebraska in June sometimes has unpredictable weather--our first scheduled swim lesson got cancelled due to storms and the second one almost did!  (The first photo is the view of the big pool...and, you turn around and the second picture are the clouds coming in over the kiddie area.)  Thankfully, the storms stayed away and the kids were able to jump right in!

Emily began Level 4

Level 3 puts Christian in the deep end--gulp!

Kari is a "Guppy" and lives up to the title--the girl is a total fish in the water!

Juliana and Daddy

Juliana LOVES swim lessons--she and Daddy have had a lot of fun together!

Swim lessons will be wrapping up this week with "Fun Day"--always a favorite with the kids.  What would summer be without our swim lessons?!

Date Night

My favorite little boy took me on a date a couple of weeks ago!  Christian had gotten a gift card to Dairy Queen at a birthday party and wanted to take his mom out for ice cream.  

 I loved every minute of it and I love Christian for having such a big heart and wanting to share his time (and ice cream money) with me.  I must have done something right to have been blessed with such a terrific son.

Fun on the Homefront

Kari is still an excellent snuggler.  Sure do love this girl!

 Summertime means togetherness...a LOT of togetherness :-).  It's an adjustment for everyone for sure.  But, a midst the noise, the bickering, the teasing, and the general craziness, we have had quite a few wonderful afternoons and fun timers.

Christian now reads to Juliana--so sweet!

Juliana loves to swing and glide out back!

Emily and Juliana, doing some quality snuggling of their own :-)

When Cubby gets home he loves to get out the pool and the little girls are only too happy to join him!

Blue tongues!

 One afternoon Juliana was taking a long nap and the weather wasn't super ideal for being outside.  Emily suggested an old favorite, playing marshmallows and toothpicks!  I don't think we'd done this since Emily was Kari's age and they had a lot of fun making various creations.

Christian's "elephant."  The tail in the back swished up and down :-).

My creation--I think it was a horse?

Kari's "people."

Emily was building a stall for all of the animals.

The finished stall

Christian's "giraffe."

 Then, Juliana was STILL sleeping so I told them about a new paint--marshmallow paint!  Easy, fun, and edible (if you don't mind the extreme sweetness!).

Here's what you need:
*Marshmallows
*Water
*Light corn syrup
*Water color paint brushes
*Food coloring
*Paper

The kids LOVED seeing them expand!

1.  Put one cup mini marshmallows (or large...which is what we had) in a microwave safe bowl and microwave them for 30 seconds.

2.  Add 1/4 c. water to the microwaved marshmallows.  Stir the water into the marshmallows.  The mallows will continue to melt.

3.  Microwave for 30 more seconds.

4.  Add 3 T. of the corn syrup to the water/marshmallow mixture and stir it really well.

5.  Microwave again for 30 seconds.

6.  Stir it together until it's all melted and mixed well with the corn syrup.

7.  Let it cool just a tad and then separate it into different bowls or containers.

 8.  Using a little food coloring, make whatever colors you'd like!  I used popsicle sticks to stir.

9.  Let it cool for a minute and then paint away!

By this time, Juliana had finally woken up and was super excited to get in on the action.

Juliana loves to paint.

 The kids got quite creative and painted ice cream cones and rainbows, abstract shapes, and ocean scenes.  The paint is sticky, but not THAT sticky.  And, if it happens to drop on your carpet, it wipes right up!  Also, clean up is a breeze--just soap and water.

Christian loved the fact that the paint (and additional marshmallows they dipped in said paint) was edible.

 The afternoons sometimes get long when we can't go outside b/c of rain or heat (and we don't always have time to head the the pool in the heat).  So, it's been great to break out some of our crafts and get the kids busy doing something other than driving each other crazy!

 One Sunday morning was rainy and so Cubby and Christian broke out a puzzle.  They were giggling and cracking jokes all the while.  Puzzling is great for bonding at any age :-).

Tons of togetherness has it's tough points...I'll be sure to take some pictures of those soon, but we've also had some great times this summer!