31
Jul
Evidently Kaitlyn now plays pickle ball?!
31
Jul
Ben is still trying to get the hang of Fortnite (among other games). Some days the big boys are more willing than others to answer questions.
30
Jul
Wade and I were sitting outside talking when Ben showed up and requested the sprinkler. Being the cool parents we are, we quickly agreed. Ben happily played in the sprinkler by himself for quite a while. Then Alex randomly appeared and joined in the fun. (On a side note: Last night Ben was going outside to jump on the trampoline and I suggested he ask Teague to join him. Ben said “No. I’m going to ask Alex. He’s been really nice to me today.”)
30
Jul
More pictures from camp!
30
Jul
Sunday lineup.
29
Jul
I scheduled family pictures and picked a random evening in early July. (Year before last we schedule summer pictures and the rain forced us to reschedule so many times they became fall pictures.) It worked out that Judy and Jerry were able to schedule a visit over the time we were having the pictures. Then as luck would have it, our picture day turned out to be one of the hottest, muggiest days of the summer. We managed to make it through everyone was wilted by the end and some people were very grumpy (understandably).
Thankfully I love the pictures and promised no more mid-summer photo sessions in the future.
29
Jul
Alex has wanted the Crispy Chicken Sandwiches again ever since Ben made them a few weeks ago (see here). He even offered to cook them so I quickly took him up on that.
29
Jul
These two were so cute working on their “homework” before the day really got started.
29
Jul
Kaitlyn and the girls from her cabin having a popsicle break.
29
Jul
Ben has been telling me all week that he is going to do Kaitlyn’s chores. I added the ones that I felt he could accomplish to his list this morning. He was most excited about plumping the couch cushions!
28
Jul
I told the boys we were going hiking today. Ben was immediately excited. The big boys agreed a little less excitedly. We made the drive to Mount Watatic and set off on the trail. I had warned all three of them it would be longer than our normal hikes and it was a mountain so it would be steep at some parts. I had also showed them pictures of the top so they could see the awesome view we were hiking towards.
28
Jul
I’m not sure if they spend most of the day at the lake or that’s just where they take most of their pictures.
28
Jul
I wanted to try a new hike. The boys humored me – even knowing it was going to be much harder and longer than any we had done before.
27
Jul
Wade took the day off work and we decided to venture to the ocean. Some were a little more grumpy about our outing than others, but we started the day early. The first stop was breakfast at a local favorite. Then we drove to Narraganset and Roger Wheeler Beach in particular. Wade, Teague, and Ben immediately got in the water. Alex and I sat on the beach and enjoyed the cool breeze. Wade and Teague eventually came in but Ben stayed in the water or at the water’s edge all day. After several hours we headed home, picking up pizza on the way.
27
Jul
Wade took the day off work and we headed to the beach – the real beach. Teague spent quite a bit of time in the water, but I found the perfect moment when these two were together playing in the sand and talking about video games.
27
Jul
Another picture from camp.
27
Jul
Wade took the day off work and we headed to the beach – the real beach. Ben spent the entire day in the ocean or right at the water’s edge.
26
Jul
After a week at home, due to Ben’s illness and getting Kaitlyn ready for camp, we were all looking forward to resuming some of our normal summer activities. I think the lake was at the top of everyone’s list (except maybe Alex’s). Our plan was to head to the lake after my workout and lunch. I happened to be on Facebook (looking for pictures of Kaitlyn) and saw the notice that the lake was closed due to bacteria. Suddenly we had to come up with a new activity for the day.
Then I remembered our local ski hill has tubing in the summer. I know the last time I looked into the activity, Ben was too young, but I thought surely by now he would be old enough. Teague, Ben, and I went to check it out and it was the perfect thing! For an hour we tubed. There were four runs and a light mist of water is sprayed on you as you slide down the hill. There were only a few other people there so we had no lines and a great afternoon.
26
Jul
Alex is desperate for more electronics time this week so I offered up some chores I would give time for. Now I can mark ironing off my list.
26
Jul
We tried something new today – and had so much fun!
26
Jul
Another picture of Kaitlyn from camp. We just get pictures with no commentary, but I still love seeing her smiling face.
26
Jul
Wade and I walked up to the concert on the Common and saw lots of Ben’s friends running around. We texted Alex to walk Ben up and he was so excited to play with his preschool friends while the adults enjoyed the music.
25
Jul
Teague made sugar cookie dough a few days ago and then forgot all about it. Tonight he remembered that he needed to make cookies. He made the cookies and then recruited Ben to help him decorate. They had a grand time experimenting with new techniques and creating masterpieces.
25
Jul
I demanded everybody get out of the house again today. The big boys were looking for the shortest excursion they could come up with and chose the Storybook trail. We did remember bug spray but it didn’t do much to help. This trail is always bad with bugs in the summer and seems especially bad this year. We decided to mark it off our list till fall.
25
Jul
Another picture of Kaitlyn with her cabin mates. I did get a call from the camp today (all first time camper parents get a call within the first 48 hours) telling me that Kaitlyn is doing great and enjoying camp life.
25
Jul
I demanded everybody get out of the house again today. The big boys were looking for the shortest excursion they could come up with and chose the Storybook trail. We did remember bug spray but it didn’t do much to help. This trail is always bad with bugs in the summer and seems especially bad this year. We decided to mark it off our list till fall.
24
Jul
While visiting the Seuss museum we found a history museum with an area full of games. All of the kids enjoyed playing.
24
Jul
This is the first picture I have gotten from camp. I have no doubt Kaitlyn is having lots of fun.
24
Jul
We ventured to the Seuss museum today.
I was determined to get everyone out of the house today. The big boys have been rather ignored the last week while I have been getting Kaitlyn ready for camp and planning for her birthday party. (I don’t think they minded but I did.)
The lake isn’t open on Mondays and they are not always excited about hiking. Wade threw out the idea of the Dr. Seuss museum. I knew it would be appropriate for Ben, but I decided it was a good day trip for all of us.
We drove to Springfield and explored the museum and two of the others there (one had dinosaurs and one had old cars and airplanes). There was also a sculpture garden with about four statues from Dr. Seuss books. The history museum had an area downstairs full of games and all the kids loved this area. We could have spent several hours just there playing – pinball, legos, pretend toys, life-size candy land, etc. Then we stopped for a treat on the way home!
23
Jul
Last fall, one of Kaitlyn’s friends started talking about sleep away camp. Kaitlyn was interested and I thought it sounded like a great idea. Her friend had never been before and was excited to go for the first time because her sister goes every year. I talked with her mother and we agreed to sign the girls up together. Kaitlyn’s friend was immediately registered for camp (because they were a returning family), but Kaitlyn was put on the wait list. When we hadn’t heard anything by late spring, I quit thinking about summer camp as an option and planned other activities.
Last week, I got a call from the camp telling me that they had a last minute opening. I talked to Kaitlyn (and Wade), and we agreed it worked for us to send her. Kaitlyn was so excited and immediately wanted to go. I gathered everything she would need thanks to Amazon and today we drove her to Sandwich. We met our friends for lunch beforehand and then we all got to camp at the same time.
Wade and I took Kaitlyn to her cabin and helped set up her bunk. (It was insanely hot in that small room with so many people and no AC!) Kaitlyn has a top bunk and is in a cabin with her friend. She was a little nervous as we left her but so excited. I can’t wait to see a few pictures from her week and hear how she feels about the entire time!
23
Jul
Now that Alex has mastered pushups, he has decided to try pull-ups.
23
Jul
Teague is enjoying summer and all the time to bake sweets.
23
Jul
The big day has come. Kaitlyn is off to sleep away camp for 2 weeks!
23
Jul
The boys were left home most of the day but Ben is definitely my most independent child. I came home to find him fixing a snack.
22
Jul
Teague found one of Kaitlyn’s rings inside and wanted to set the perfect scene for returning it. The other kids wanted to be a part of ruining the moment!
His words went something like this, “Kaitlyn, I don’t want to marry you, but would you like your ring back?”
22
Jul
Kaitlyn has known for months that she wanted a skating birthday party. Arranging it proved a little more tricky. I couldn’t decide whether to try to do it before school was out or after our trip to KY. Both of those proved to crazy with our schedule and all the other activities in town. Then Granny and Pop were coming to visit. I finally decided right after Granny and Pop’s visit would be best. We picked a date and sent out invitations. Kaitlyn was very clear on who to invite and I just crossed my fingers that it would work out with people’s vacation schedules. Amazingly almost everyone could come!
The girls had a great time. They skated (some more at ease on skates than others), danced, and generally acted like crazy little girls. The boys didn’t join us mostly because Ben still isn’t quite ready to be around people. They were rather excited about the cupcakes we brought home though!
21
Jul
We always have at least one extra gallon of milk in the basement refrigerator. We had to get it out tonight to fill the glasses with milk for dinner. The big boys took one drink and declared the milk bad. I was annoyed because it was a brand new gallon that wasn’t supposed to expire till 7/29, but it happens. Thankfully we had another gallon and it seemed to be fine.
21
Jul
We always have at least one extra gallon of milk in the basement refrigerator. We had to get it out tonight to fill the glasses with milk for dinner. The big boys took one drink and declared the milk bad. I was annoyed because it was a brand new gallon that wasn’t supposed to expire till 7/29, but it happens. Thankfully we had another gallon and it seemed to be fine.
21
Jul
Before she even went to bed last night, Kaitlyn was asking for pancakes for breakfast this morning. We made it happen.
21
Jul
I walked through the kitchen this afternoon and found that Ben had definitely been through at some point… (He loves “pickles” and we buy a pack of mini-cucumbers at least once a week.)
20
Jul
I informed the boys we were taking a hike today. Ben hasn’t left the house all week due to his hand, foot, mouth. The big boys haven’t left the house because they are a little lazy about making plans. I decided to make plans for everybody today. They weren’t necessarily excited about the hike but they didn’t really fight it either. We hiked, we navigated, we sweated, and then we had a great lunch at the Cheesecake Factory (a first for the boys).
20
Jul
Kaitlyn’s new favorite show is a National Geographic show about excavating Egyptian tombs. She loves every minute of it.
20
Jul
The boys were sweaty and “done” with our hike when I requested this picture. Alex gave it one go and refused another attempt. I was quite amused at the picture he took.
19
Jul
I cooked a turkey this weekend (one of everyone’s favorites). Alex has been making his favorite meal – turkey sandwich with lettuce, tomato, avocado, and bacon.
19
Jul
Teague’s daily job is picking berries. Most of them get eaten before they make it inside, but we are trying to save some from the birds.
19
Jul
This week Kaitlyn had swim lessons last night and two makeup lessons tonight. She tried to take her test last night to move up to the next level but she didn’t quite pass the last skill. She was bummed that she might have to wait almost a month (due to camp and traveling) to try again. I’m not sure what magic she worked, but she got to take the test again tonight with the same person who tested her last night. They only tested her on the one skill she missed last night. She was so excited to pass!
19
Jul
Ben is once again eating his way daily through the raspberry patch.
18
Jul
I wondered out loud if Kaitlyn’s new raincoat was going to be the right size. Alex offered to try it on for her.
18
Jul
Sometimes Teague likes to hang out in the kitchen but forgets his own reading material. Then he reads anything available – even Ben’s books.