We arrived at Gram’s house last night and the cousins were there and Gram had Chick-fil-a nuggets. After an evening of playing, we got tougher again today for more time together. We can’t do any of our usual activities so Melissa was assume in creating a new list of things for us to do. Today wasn’t crazy but we tried out hoverboards and played around Gram’s house while the adults did some talking.
Ben
We made it to KY!
Granny had the best activity planned for today. One of her friends had told her about spray foam that could be purchased at Target. Granny went and bought as many as possible (two bottles) and we made sure they were passed around between the kids. All of them seemed to love it and had a great time spraying each other and running wild.
Granny had foam!
This is obviously a different kind of visit than normal. We haven’t left the house except to go to the farm. That means a lot more time in the kitchen and time in the yard. That’s in addition to the normal games and old toys the kids like to play with. Ben helped Granny make breakfast. Teague helped cook dessert for Father’s Day.
We did a lot of celebrating today. Father’s Day was obvious but Granny also had cupcakes to celebrate Kaitlyn’s upcoming birthday. She loved the attention!
Happy Father’s Day!
A picnic on the farm.
Granny and Pop live in Collierville but they have a farm father out. It’s land that has been in Pop’s family for years. He rents out the house and uses the rest of the land for his own uses. Today the boys did a little shooting, fishing, and even got to practice their driving in the truck. Then we all had a picnic.
The kids and I have felt rather isolated in Grafton and we were definitely ready for a change. We have been planning a trip to visit family for a while and as soon as we could get everything ready after school was gone then we headed out. The plan is to visit with Granny and Pop for a few days and then drive on to Paducah and visit with my Mom and the cousins for a little longer. Obviously this trip won’t be anything like our normal trips, but at least we will get to see “new” people.
Today we arrived in Collierville and we spent the day playing outside. Pop had left a pile of dirt in the yard for Ben to play in. There were all kinds of riding toys for the kids and Alex even practiced his fishing skills for when we go to the farm.
Ben’s getting a driving lesson from Pop.
This child is truly the easiest. He rolls with everything we throw at him. I’m just hoping he fits in this pack-n-play forever. Fitting one more person in a hotel room is rather tricky. Right now he just needs a blanket, a lovey, and he’s out like a light.
We are out of here – time to visit some grandparents!
Pepper was scared of KitKat initially, but they are definitely tolerating each other. Ben loves having a little fuzzy something to snuggle. He is quickly learning how to be gentle.
KitKat rarely finds a moment alone in the house.
Just a little driveway fun today.
Introducing – KitKat.
Ben wants to be just like his bib brother.
Ben has no problem playing alone or entertaining himself. The problem comes with how he entertains himself. It is almost always involves a mess of large proportions that the rest of us have to clean up.
Popsicle afternoon!
Keeping a close eye on breakfast.
I have never been so excited for school to end and summer to begin! We started the last day of classes with Granny’s coffee cake:
Then the kids had a few classes and then the schools allowed a drive-thru. We drove through the main entrance at a designated time (per grade) to pick up anything that had been left in cubbies or desks and was bagged up by the teachers. The kids also got to wave to their teachers through the car windows. What a crazy few months this has been.
Then we went to the other house and the pool to celebrate. Only Teague thought it would be fun to jump in with his clothes on. (A tradition the big boys started a few years ago around the beginning and ending of school.)
As always on the last day of school, here’s a comparison from the first day to the last day.
Morning Alexa time.
Pool cleaning day.
Wade and I are more than a little overwhelmed with work, school, life, and everything else requiring care. Having two properties to take care of right now is just adding to our workload. Our other house is on the market but that means we need to keep the grass mowed and the pool cleaned. Today we all went over to check things out and clean the pool.
These two decided to practice soccer today – in high heeled boots and rain boots, of course.
Firefighters to the rescue.
The kids couldn’t wait to finish up school for the day and get to the water slide outside.
Morning reading.
What grocery shopping looks like these days.
Ben is mostly past a sink bath, but this house does have the perfect sink for it.
This one always has a plan. Obviously today his bike needed gas.
The outdoor water activities have been wonderful this summer so far and it’s just the beginning. I’m sure they are going to get a lot of use before summer is over. These three played on the extra-large slip ‘n slide all afternoon.
Slip n slide!
We had a wonderful outside day. Teague and Ben had fun with the water guns. We had snacks and lunch outside. It was picture perfect.
Waterguns are out!
Morning activities.
Ben was riding his bike today wearing a t-shirt and boxer briefs. (There has been a lot less clothing lately with the warmer weather and potty training.) Ben was spending equal time riding the bike and finding interesting things on the ground.
At some point he wanted to start collecting the items he found, but I tried to point he didn’t have way to hold them and ride his bike. He proclaimed that he had a pocket. I was pretty sure there wasn’t a pocket to be found. He proceeded to show me the “pocket” in the front of his boxer briefs and I’m still laughing….
Today’s look for bike riding.
Naptime is over.
Ben was so excited to help Daddy with the tires.
Today we planted our garden. The big kids wanted to weigh in on what we were planting but had zero interest in doing any work. The littles were very interested in the planting and digging part.
Evening tractor rides.
Well here we go again – long t-shirts mean potty training. In Ben’s case this is take two!
Ben loves to be involved in everything. Today he helped me cook.
Bagels and books.
These three are always up to something.
Ben loves our robot vacuum. He catches a ride at every opportunity. I find it hilarious so I do nothing to stop it. I’m pretty sure Wade would have a very different view so let’s just not tell him about this…
Slip n’ slide.
The kids got plenty of treats today. We let them all join us at the grocery store (a real outing these days) and each pick out their favorite ice cream.
Then after dinner we enjoyed some s’mores in the backyard!
You scream. I scream. We all scream for ice cream.