Fun at the Library

Is anyone else constantly in search of something 'fun' for their kids to do. My kids get up in the morning and ask 'Where are we going today?' or 'What are going to do?' . With this being the first week of summer I tried to think of something to do when I picked the kids up. Jasmine love love loved going to the library each week at school, I decided to try out our tiny local library. So I pick up the kids and we head 'downtown'. When I get to the Library, the sign says Museum -- what the heck?? I see a girl on the street and asked her about it, she informs me it has moved to the old Church (just a few blocks away). We drive the few blocks to the NEW and improved Library...very excited. Even better, when we get there they ask if are there to sign up for the summer reading program...of course we are!! In the next building we fill out entries and they have hot dogs, chips, cookies, face painting and balloon artists....this was a major score (excuse me while I pat myself on the back for deciding to go Thursday instead of Wednesday).

OK, I'm back

After the kids ate and got their goodies we headed back to the Library to pick out books. The new place has a great kids area. And with the reading program, for every 10 books they read (or I read to them) they earn prizes. We are very excited about this, especially since we read anywhere from 2-5 books before bed each night....lots of prizes. Jasmine saw lots of kids she knew from school and church and had to go say hi and give hugs to every single one of them. Cash even found a friend from his daycare. They had a GREAT time and can't wait to go back. And I'm just excited I found another FREE place to take the kids.

BTW - Did I mention our small town got one of the FREE water areas in the downtown park?? Me might go there tonight...

Here are some pictures of the Library outing...

Jasmine has a sucker

Cash has a Superman emblem

Jason Castro Night

Last week our neighbor town (Jason's hometown) had a Jason Castro night where there was to be a small parade that ended at the Harbor, (lakefront area in town) and Jason was to sing a few songs. I believe he was scheduled to start singing around 7p. On my way home I have to drive over the bridge and through this town. Not putting two and two together, as I approach the bridge I begin to wonder what all the traffic is for -- mind you, this is approx 4:30p, a good hour and a half before he was suppose to be there -- as I get to the end of the bridge I see this. Oh, I am so glad we didn't try to go. What a nightmare trying to keep up w/ the kids in that big mess of people!!

Camping Anyone

Over the weekend we went on our annual camping trip to Uncle Duane and Peggy's. And what a great trip we had, perfect perfect weather for camping. Can't wait to go back next year.

On the trip down there was a wreck on the major highway, so we tried our hand at the back roads (and got lost :( ). Cash was really ready to be there and didn't sleep one bit, as I had hoped he would. At one point he made his own tent in the van out of pillows...

After we finally got there and set up our tent, we went straight to bed...

The next morning the kids put their swimsuit and life jackets on FIRST THING and were ready to go. Unfortunately, the adults were not! We made them wait until after lunch before jumping into the lake, which was probably the longest four hours of there short lives. Here are just a few pictures of them 'patiently' waiting to swim.

Digging up earthworms for fishin' later

See fishin'

Gram and some of her great great one's

The 4wheeler was a big hit

**even though none of them actually went for a ride**

An unfortunate run-in with the tent zipper

Batter batter batter, swing

**how about that stance - priceless**

Here is a scene that played out quite often over the weekend --

Lots of little boys and lots of big trees.

Oh, can you feel the excitement. In goes the boat!!

Blowing up floats...

Camping is dirty business

**not sure how well this will come through, click on the picture and take a look at the bellies--dirty**

**and dirty faces**

Finally, in the lake we go...
Jasmine riding in the tube, with Joe along for the ride
Cash riding the tube, by himself, which is huge for him

(see picture of him below clinging to me on the float)

And this is what it looked like on the pier, which is why I stayed far far away from the pier while on my float....

Well, that doesn't look very comfortable at all...

EAT A WORM!! EAT A WORM!! EAT A WORM!!

**the kids tried to convince Joe to eat a worm**

Chillin' by the lake

Getting a little silly before bed...
That is one sleepy boy

And no camping trip is complete without s'mores...YUMMY!

There was still some time to kill between dinner and baths, so we played a little duck duck goose.

How do you like that circle??

And a story before sleep The weather both nights was wonderful for tent sleeping, but we also brought box fans to drown out the outside noises. I actually slept pretty well both nights, which is not always the case...

Sunday was short and sweet.


Uncle Duane brought out a snakeskin for the kids to see...

and, unfortunately, before we left we had an opportunity to see who left the snakeskin behind...

after this guy made an appearance, we were outta there!!

Celebrate Good Times....Come On!!

Friday was a fun filled day (until we took a wrong turn going camping which added an additional 45minutes to our drive...but that's a story for another blog entry)!! It started bright and early with Jasmine's graduation ceremony from Kindergarten....YEEHAW!! As many of my readers are aware, we had a tough time adjusting this year. But she pulled it through in the end and I am soo relieved. She was excited and proud and we were excited and proud for her! Enough jibber-jabber, here are the pics...

Walking in

She spotted us

(if you click on the picture you can see her waving her little hand)


They sang a couple songs that were very cute
Receiving her certificate
I'm a proud mama
With her teacher

After graduation Jasmine and Gramma headed to the lake

To Be Continued...

What You Said???

The title is Cash speak for 'What did you say?'

Just have half a second for a quick post....then I will be busy gathering, sorting and packing for our camping trip this weekend.

Dialogue:
Jasmine - 'I don't have any homework.'
Joe - 'You don't? Why not?'
Jasmine - 'Well, I already know all the answers.'

Joe - 'I rented Rambo at Blockbuster'
Cash (carrying the movie) - 'Here mom, here's rainbow'
**Joe and I really thought that was funny for some reason**

Translations:
Jasmine ** sun scream = sun screen
Cash ** flick flocks = flip flops

See how easily amused we are. I just love having them around!

Have a GREAT weekend!!

Play by Play

FRIDAY

What happens when daddy leaves the door to the jam room open and unattended...

SATURDAY

See what the kid's (Ethan) caught behind Grandpa's house

**this was in the beginning, I'd say they ended up w/ approx. 35**
Some Hungry Hungry Hippo action
This poor horse has given so many rides in its 11+ years,

I'm amazed it's still in one piece.

Three little monkeys climbing up a tree

They wanted to be outside, but still wanted to play with all the toys???

**The door leading to the trampoline area was probably opened more times Saturday than the entire month of April**
and "Shut the Door!" was the phrase of the day!
See what Zipper caught outside of Grandpa's

**if you look closely you'll see a little field mouse right in front of her**
And a snow cone stop before the long drive home...

SUNDAY

Joe and I dropped the kid's off at a friend's and went to a BBQ...alone

**It's nice to occasionally not have the kiddos, we don't do that often enough**

Thanks for the ring pop Aunt Heather - YUMMY!!
MONDAY

Met some friend's at the park that has the FREE water area

**I for see us getting a LOT of use out of the park this summer**