Fun in the Sun in 2011

Summer is almost over and here's a not-so-brief recap - it would have been easier if I had updated the blog before the end of August. Oh well...here is what the big kids were up to (besides enjoying their new baby brother). It's hard to believe we have to start school in less than 2 weeks! Boo!

This picture CRACKS me up. How cute are they?

Celebrating Memorial Day - they love the USA!

Enjoying the ginormous water slide and fun slip-in-slide at our last family night.

The first week of summer Hannah attended a little soccer camp put on by her coach's daughter who plays for AHS. Then the week Ryan was born the kids attended "Cooking Camp" and "American Girl Camp" thru Allen ISD. They had a blast and came home with some cute crafts. The next week was VBS at our church. I missed out volunteering this year but Michael helped out and taught one of the 5th grade groups. I think it gave him a new appreciation of older boys and what is to come. :)

Kids had a great week learning the Bible and praising God.

Look at our sanctuary!

The next week my mom came and stayed with us and she suggested I have an outing with each kid for some special one-on-one Mommy time. I took Luke to 'Bounce U', an inflatable bounce house place. We had a blast and it was great way to burn off energy indoors during this record Texas heat.

Hannah and I had an outing to Walls of Clay in downtown McKinney. She chose to paint a cat figurine, but only because they were out of dog figurines. After all, "cats are her second favorite animal". She was so cute picking out her colors and making the cat fancy with bows, a collar and eyelashes.

Luke liked to paint and listen to stories read by big sis.

Michael frequently took the kids swimming in the neighborhood pool, and for Hannah's birthday we met friends out there. What a group!

A visit to the Dallas Children's Museum of Nature and Science was in order (esp. since I purchased season passes at our last visit). We saw the Chinasaurous exhibit, participated in the crafts and scavenger hunt and let the kiddos explore the children's area. It was a fun time barring the fruit smoothie I spilt directly into my diaper bag as soon as we arrived. Luckily our new camera survived and the bag washed out okay.

Hannah planted more sunflowers this summer. They actually grew to be a few feet taller than they are pictured here. Someone has a green thumb.

We took swimming lessons again from "Ms Annie" and it was a much better experience for Luke who is Mr. Timid in the water (until now). By the second lesson he was swimming across the pool with his barbell and enjoying it. Hannah learned the dolphin kick, a precursor to the breast stroke, and she started the breast stroke and learned the butterfly. According to her teacher she is "athletically gifted". :) It was fun!

A favorite activity for those hot August afternoons was building forts. In true Hannah form, she took it up a notch and added her own furniture made out of cardboard building blocks. The living room forts were missing the furniture but were more elaborate with a playroom, a hallway, a kitchen and a swimming pool (of course). I just love this - reminds me when I was a kid and built forts with our extra mattress under it. I would hang out there, read and sleep there. This is what it's all about!

Right now the kids are hosting a birthday party for Mickey Mouse. Hannah is giving instructions - "we need streamers, music for a dance contest and presents." Luke is loving it. I will sure miss these days...