Dancing Queen

Caroline is a dancer.  Her recent favorite is the Honda commercial that comes on.  One night we made a joke about it being a dance party and you would think it really was every time it comes on!  She really could careless about the tv, but it only takes a few beats of this song to get her attention.  Here's Caroline busting a move...

Indy and such

The last few days have been busy.  It always seems we try to cram alot into the last few weeks of being home.  We got away for a long weekend to Indianapolis.  Jack would tell you all about the hotel that we got to stay in.  That was definitely his highlight of the trip.  We stayed downtown at the Hyatt and he had a great view of the construction going on across the street and the train across the way.  Heaven for a little boy obsessed with all big trucks.  He was constantly telling Caroline to come see what was going on.  Anyways, some pictures from the trip...First up, the Indianapolis zoo...loved it!

Caroline was getting brave...trying to step on the water spout before it came out.

It got her!

Attempt 1 of picture together

All remaining tries spoiled due to water getting them!

This girl is SOO brave.

Working together to stop the water.

This is Caroline's pose majority of the time.  She likes that cup up under her arm.

Day 2: Children's Museum

The ceiling was really neat as the colors/lights would change for times of day.  Thunderstorms would come and go and you could hear the dinosaurs rumbling around.  Jack didn't wander off far.

Digging for dinos

Of course, the water table.

Caroline wanted the round thing...why?

It's a bracelet, of course!

Checking out the view.

Enjoying the parks around the city.

This little girl was worn out!  It was hard having all of us in the same room.

We really had a great trip.  Then today we were back at getting things done before school starts again.  Jack had his yearly VHL screenings with the hereditary cancer program at Children's and saw the eye doctor as part of the process.  All looks great.  I was so proud of the little guy.  They had to draw blood and he didn't even shed a tear.  They didn't even have to hold him down on the table to do his eye drops this year.  I can't believe this little boy is about to be 4!

What did you eat for dinner?

I know, can you believe it?  So many posts here recently.  I guess I better take advantage of these last few weeks of summer break.  I head back on August 16th for a couple of teacher days before the students return the 18th.  I can't believe it has happened so fast this summer!  Anyways, a picture and a video to make you smile...

Do I really need to say anything about this one?

I think I mentioned that my dad, Tommy and Jack went to the monster truck show a while back.  Jack is stll talking about it.  I posted a picture of what Jack kept telling me the monster trucks looked like (since I didn't go to the show).  He keeps showing me, so thought you might like to see for yourself...

Fun Saturday

This morning we got up early and headed up to Big Bone Lick state park to see the bison and do some research for Tommy's history class paper.  We'll be glad to have this last class finished!  Anyways, a great thing about Big Bone park is that they have live bison to see.  The kids loved them.  Although, Jack wore some new flip flops and ended up with blisters after the walk.  He also let us know the entire time that his feet hurt.  Here are a few pictures from the park.

After lunch and naps for all, it was time to break out the $3 slip n slide from Target.  We weren't sure how much fun it would be, but the kids (and Tommy) had a blast!  Caroline makes us laugh as she throws all caution to the wind.  I say laugh, but really, makes me worry a bit!  She just goes at things!  Here are some pictures and video from the slip n slide.  We will definitely be using this one again.

Yes, we really do feed this boy.

Getting the hang of it!

Caroline did not hesitate getting in on the fun.

Daddy getting in on the excitement.

They can still be so sweet!

Fine Motor Skills

We've had a few very rainy days here lately.  What should we do?  Of course, break out the fruit loops and make some jewelry.  We'll call it a lesson in fine motor skills.  Here are the little ones enjoying the event!

Jack hard at work. 

Caroline wearing her finished product.  She would put one on, then eat 2, put 1 on, then eat 2.  Her necklace isn't quite as long!

Enjoying her hard work!

All finished wearing it.

All mad b/c she couldn't get it back on.  These tantrums are so often now!

Jack really enjoyed this.  He worked hard at it for a good while!

And here we have Caroline trying to enjoy her necklace. 

Hello!

Couldn't resist posting this video from yesterday.  I am aware of the problem with all my previous blog posts and the pictures!  I re-configured my picassa account to save space and lost all my linked pictures!  Just trying to find the time to fix it!

Weekend recap

What a fun weekend we had!  I think we are all a little tired as we all slept until 7:30. 

Friday: Our good friends, the Friskes, came for dinner since they will be moving to DC on Tuesday.  We are so sad, but excited for their new adventure.  Our oldest kids, Jack and Alex, are such good playmates.  Friday was filled with homemade pizza, chocolate fondue, good wine, and lots of running, playing and laughing.  Here are a few pictures of the kids.  Caroline was fascinated with baby Nathan who is 2 months old.  She would get so excited next to him and both of them were making their noises and talking to each other.  So cute!

These two boys are such good friends!

After a fun evening with friends, Saturday proved to be a blast too!  We started the day early by picking blackberries at a local u-pick farm.  This picking round it was just Jack and me and our neighbors.  I forgot to get any pictures!  These were the biggest blackberries I have ever seen.  Jack got more and more excited as we picked.  "Mom, this blackberry is bigger than my hand!"  Got to love the enthusiasm.  After a morning of picking and a trip to walmart to pick up our canning supplies, we came home for some yardsaling.  I finally got the kids a chalkboard/dry erase easel I have been looking for...yay!  I love to yard sale and I think Jack is getting into it too.

The kids had to get a nap to get ready for a visit with Grandpa.  My dad came up to visit and rode his motorcycle up here!  That evening, Grandpa, Tommy and Jack headed to the monster truck show.  Jack had been so excited all week.  Caroline and I stayed here and made blackberry jam and syrup with the fresh berries.  When they got home late, Jack woke me up to tell me all about the show.  He loves to talk!

Jack came home with a pirate flag see above.

Jack kept saying "mom, the monster trucks looked like this!"

Blackberry jam...yum!  I've been busy with jam this summer making blackberry, blueberry, and cherry so far.

 Sunday was spent visiting with my Dad before he rode back to TN.  We had a great visit and the kids loved the motorcycle!

Sunday evening we spent at the neighbors for a birthday party and then Jack and I worked in the garden until 9pm.  I love summer evenings getting to be outside like that.  I'll have to take some new pictures of the garden.  We've had a few things out of there like bell peppers, tomatoes, squash and zucchini.  Everything else it on the verge of being ripe.  I'm so excited about veggie dinners here soon.