There is a new indoor trampoline park that we enjoyed with a group of friendso today. I thought it was ready cool, but their service left a lot to be desired. Hopefully, they will improve that. Then, we headed to the park to enjoy this amazing weather and celebrate a friend's birthday.
My good friend got married this weekend. She married an amazing man that is wonderful to her and her two sweet boys. I couldn't be happier for her!
A friend told me there is a creek with tons of frogs and we're searching for them today. Mark is out of town again, so I'm trying to fill the boys weekend with lots of fun. So far, no frogs but a lot of wet clothes!
I took the boys this morning to Lowes to build a firetruck. It was really nice that they had the tables set up outside with the nice cooler weather. They also had a real firetruck and firefighters to chat with!
My brother and I did the jailbreak run this weekend. The jailbreak run is a muddy 5K obstacle course. It was so much fun! I'm already looking forward to next year's race.
I took the boys for a fun evening hike while Mark worked late. We skipped rocks and explored in the woods. The weather has been perfect during dusk.
Great Wolf Lodge had their homeschool week and I managed to keep it a surprise. They had a great time playing with friends that also attended!
Ummm, honey I think we already covered this. I said '29'!!!
I am so fortunate to have such amazing friends and family! AND my sweet 7 year old planned a 'surprise' party all by himself. he called the family - my parents, nieces, brothers family, sister's family all came. My sister showed up with party snacks and my first cake in over 16 years!! It had MY name on it!
We had a free afternoon today and I decided to take the boys to the science museum. They have been asking to go for a while, but I wanted to wait until school was back in session. It was so nice to have all the exhibits to ourself.
The boys and I had a couple of friends over to learn a little about the engineering involved in developing the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium. First we watch a short show called 'Build It Bigger' that walked you through the engineering of the stadium. We also did a couple of engineering challenges including making a barrel bridge out of 1 sheet of paper that was able to hold the weight of an entire ream of cardstock. The bridge is able to withstand the weight in the same concept as the stadium. Quite an engineering feat!
A cold front came in and it is currently in the mid 70s with a nice breeze. The boys and I are took advantage of the weather by riding our bikes to Natural Grocers. It its so beautiful! You can't order weather this nice.
It might be our last chance to swim with family for this summer, so I decided to take the boys for a fun filled day. Had a ready nice time. Unfortunately, Abuelo wasn't able to make it. We missed you Abuelo!
Carson is working hard on creating a mini city. Graph paper card stock and a little imagination.
The boys really miss their dad when he leaves town, so I am filling their time with lots of fun. Tonight I made pizza and homemade hot fudge sundays! The fudge sauce was my best ever. It was SO GOOD!
Raw virgin coconut oil
Raw agave nector
Cocoa powder
Vanilla extract
One of the dads in our homeschool group began a new group, 'Dangerous Boys Club'. The boys have been so excited waiting for the first meetup to begin. Although their dad was going to take them, he realized he wouldn't be able to make it because he had a friend that wanted to go hunting with him in Alaska during that same time.
Fortunately, my brother happily agreed to drive all the way from Weatherford to fill in for him. They were so happy that he was coming that they waited out front while riding their scoooters at 7am!
The boys had such a fun day making bows and arrows with their Uncle Chuckie! They can't wait until next time!
Do the three of them look Dangerous!? The last photo was their 'Dangerous' pose.
Carson starts his weekly science class today. He's never taken this class and he is really excited. We have a lot of friends that have taken Dr. Reeds class (http://www.thinkingreeds.com). I know he's going to love it.
It's not yet 9 am and the boys have been outside all morning excited about the clouds rolling in. It has been so dry and hot all summer. Dark clouds and a few sprinkles are bringing out two giddy boys. They have pitched a tent and are having so much fun. I decided to make a big breakfast with french toast and bacon, fruit and fresh squeezed orange juice. I guess we'll put school off for a bit today :-)
The boys know it is Mark and my 16th Wedding Anniversary today. They have me a really sweet surprise!
I've been reading about different ways on how to motivate your children to do chores and help around the house. My boys actually help out quite a bit, but I get tired of reminding them and they get tired of being reminded.
Today I started a new marble chore system. I found the idea online http://www.amomsyear.com/2011/01/06/marble-jar-chore-system-redux/
I made and laminated chore cards last night. Green cards are chores specifically for my 4 year old and the blue cards are chores specifically for my 7 year old. The white cards are for both boys. When their jars are full, they earn $10.00.
I do not take away marbles for poor behavior. I really don't like the idea of that. When they work hard and earn something, I see that it is theirs and not mine for taking away. Can you imagine if that happened to adults??! Your boss could take away your paycheck after you've already received it! No way.
Well, I don't know what is in the future for this but I can tell you that I have different children this morning. They were stumbling over each other trying to get more and more chores done. I couldn't believe it! Wish me luck that this keeps up!
At geography club today, the boys learned about soil and made a terrarium. Carson really enjoyed himself.
I walked in on the boys after Carson made Cameron alien armor and was fitting it to him.
I found this wonderful project online at http://foresterclan.blogspot.com/2008/08/homeschool-thursday_21.html and decided to do it with the boys. It was so fun and turned out to be a lot easier than I thought it would be. Once it is dry, we will be playing with it and then eventually making I Spy bottles with it.
