Wade and I decided to do a little sight seeing today. We had heard about the Tower Hill Botanical Gardens but never been. I was curious to see what it was all about – especially when I had someone to help me wrangle all four kids. We had a great time! It was so much fun exploring the grounds and I’d love to return during a different season.
We had a family outing today to the Tower Hill Botanical Garden.
We started the weekend off with some outdoor chores around the house. Thankfully the kids were all willing to help out.
I have no idea what sparked all three of them reading on the bed together, but I’m glad I walked by to see it.
Ben had so much fun “washing” my car today.
Bonding over iPad.
I walked in to find Ben happily reading his books.
I pulled an open container out of the attic today and inside I found a dead bat. We seem to encounter a bat at every couple houses and we are overdue. I’m going to be glad this bat was dead and hope we don’t find a live one!
Library day!
Library day!
Library day!
Ben and I had a great day without the big kids. Ben found a box and then the fun began…
Fist day of 3rd grade and 5th grade for these boys.
Fist day of Kindergarten.
Ben was bummed not to go to school today but happily wore the hat Kaitlyn brought home all afternoon and evening.
Somehow summer has officially ended, and today school officially started. The kids were good sports about taking their first day of school pictures. (The boys even took them twice because the first ones were blurry.) Kaitlyn has been waiting so long to ride the school bus like her brothers. She would have started kindergarten years ago if they would have let her!
Alex and Pepper – puppy love.
Kaitlyn is determined to learn how to ride her bike and she is getting all kinds of awesome support from her brothers.
Today all my kiddos got to meet their teachers for the upcoming year. Kaitlyn had met her teacher on her practice day, but I hadn’t! It was fun to see her classroom and meet some of the other moms. Then it was a quick hand off with the babysitter to the boys’ school to meet their teachers. (I was also so thankful that we still had our old house. Parking at the boys’ school is always tight. We parked at our old house and just walked down!).
Morning card game of Uno.
Ben found it fascinating to watch Alex give Pepper a bath.
The kids decided to break out the water guns today. That’s sometimes a touchy situation, but today they handled it well and it was all in good fun!
Saturday morning chores.
Saturday morning cartoons.
Today seemed like a good day for the water slide – times two. Morning fun…
Afternoon fun…
I have no idea what these monkeys are up to.
Busted playing in the sunroom by himself.
Because we weren’t sure exactly when Kaitlyn’s bus would be back yesterday, we mostly played outside while we waited for her to return. It’s rare that I have all the kids outside for an extended period of time – especially when I have my camera.
Don’t the big boys look excited when we were trying to take a picture comparing their heights? I do that periodically because some day, I think Teague is going to be taller. The joke is probably on me and Alex will always be taller!
Today seemed like a good day for the water slide.
There are a lot of things I love about our local schools. One of the things is the “trial run” day for Kindergarten. Today Kaitlyn had her practice day. The school bus comes by the house and picks her up (and our neighbor who is also a little girl in kindergarten – perfect!). There is a teacher on the bus to talk with them and answer any questions. They are taken to school and shown exactly how the day will go – including where the bus will drop them off, where their teacher’s room is located, etc. They are gone about an hour or two. Then the bus brings them back home. It’s a great first introduced to school without all the other kids and chaos of a true first day.
Popcorn and a movie!
Popcorn and a movie!
Popcorn and a movie!
Ben tends to latch on to a favorite thing for a few days before moving on. That favorite thing might be a lovey, a book, a food, or even a pair of shoes. The last few days, it has been a pair of cleats he found in the attic. It cracks me up so I’ve been letting him wear them. (And yes, they are at least three sizes too big)
Breakfast was our favorite bread – Cinnamon Crunch bread. Yum!
It turns out our garden is a bit of an overachiever this year. We have more tomatoes than we know what to do with!
I walked by to see Alex all set up with Magna-tiles and some figurines. I haven’t seen this in months and thought he might have outgrown this stage.
Teague is happiest when driving.
Elsa visited us today!
Ben was quite thrilled with the car cart at Home Depot.
Alex loves to create. Today he decided to build a summer sled with parts he found in Wade’s shop. It kept him entertained for quite a while (which is sometimes difficult). When it didn’t quite work out the way he wanted, he was able to switch gears and use the rope to tow Ben around the yard.
Pretty great Sunday!
Pretty great Sunday!
Pretty great Sunday!
My only child to like cucumbers – and he loves them!
Today Ben got important life lessons from Teague and Kaitlyn – in jumping. I didn’t catch any mid-air shots, but it was hilarious to watch. I didn’t even think to record any video – next time!
The tomatoes in my garden need to be used, so today I made fresh salsa (or more realistically pico de gallo). That was lunch and it was delicious!
It only took a few days for Teague to be back in the kitchen baking! Chocolate chip cookies coming up!
Kaitlyn is still recovering from our trip I think.
I’m not sure what I walked in on, but it cracked me up.