Carson's Artistic Endeavors

Someone left the markers out and Carson found them. "Nuff said...

Cano, Cano, Cano!

Earlier this summer Cole picked out a new book all about volcanoes. Well, Carson ended up loving the book and talking about "canos" all the time. We showed them clips of erupting volcanoes on YouTube and Carson would beg to watch them over and over saying, "again cano, again cano". I remembered seeing a volcano kit at Michael's and Alan and I decided to get it for the boys. They were super excited! After having to wait a few days for the plaster to dry, Cole and I painted it and then when Daddy came home from work we went out back and erupted it. Oh my gosh! The boys were so giddy with anticipation, they squealed when it started to bubble up. Good times! We probably erupted the thing about 20 times and it never got old. But then the vinegar ran out and the fun times ended. It was a fun family evening! We played with the volcano a few more times but sadly it just didn't hold up to the pressure and the bottom burst out and we had to toss it in the trash and bid it farewell.

No Love From the Sev

July 11th or 7-11, the day Cole had been waiting for; FREE SLURPEES! Not the case this year. When we pulled into the parking lot we were greeted by the above sign. But my son, ever the optimist said, "Oh well, there is always next year". Of course Mom shelled out for a Slurpee anyways.

Krispy Kreme Donut Tour

A couple of weeks ago (yes, I'm that behind again) Our playgroup met for a tour at Krispy Kreme Donuts! Carson was so excited hopping around the store saying" donut, donut, donut" over and over and over. They received balloons and hats from the manager and learned how the donuts were made.

Then they got to dip their donuts in chocolate icing and load them up with sprinkles. This was definitely the best part of the tour, well maybe the second best part...

The VERY best part was getting to eat the yummy donuts!

FUN AND YUM!

Summer playgroups are the BEST!

Father's Day Home Depot Style

The quarterly primary activity this time around was a morning at the Home Depot so the kids could build their Dad's something special for Father's Day. Cole was counting down the Saturdays until it was finally the day to go. He and I went to the store bright and early. Cole received his builder's apron and chose his project. Are you surprised he picked a pirate ship? Luckily I'm pretty proficient at ship building these days and we got his assembled pretty darn quick. Then he painted it and added the finishing touches. He was really proud of his present and couldn't wait to present it to his Daddy the following day. Alan took it to work where it is displayed on his desk for all to admire.

*Cole and his partially built ship. *Cole and his buddy Brayden

Rockin' His 2-Wheeler

The day after Cole turned 6 he decided he was ready to ride a 2-wheeler. So he took his training wheels off by himself and that was that. He rode like he had been doing it for years. We took him to the church parking lot to practice in a wide open space with no obstacles and Carson chased him around on his scooter. Afterwards, the boys stole mine and Alan's sodas to "cool" off. Those nuts! Like either of them need the caffeine...

What's Keeping Us Busy So Far This Summer

So, I thought I would share some of the fun things we have been doing so far this summer in hopes that you will share your brilliant ideas with me...



*I found this idea on a blog to turn your salad spinner into a spin art machine. Simple and fun! You just cut a circle to fit the bottom of the spinner's basket. Squeeze in some paint, replace the lid and spin, spin, spin. We have these lovely beauties hanging all over the place.
*this photo is from blog whose website I didn't bookmark, sorry.



*We love these and they are cheap! $1 at Michael's.



*Cole is such a great reader and I don't want his skills to slide this summer so we are definitely emphasizing reading at our house this summer. We have discovered The Magic Treehouse series. So far we have read one about pirates and one about the Titanic.

*Cole got Martian Matter for his birthday and surprise! I like it too. We have had fun creating little Martians and dissecting them as well.

*These Crayola window markers have already provided the boys with hours of entertainment. I have them color allover the sliding glass doors while I make dinner. It looks messy but washes off fairly easily with windex and paper towels.

*Of course we have been doing lots of swimming and bike riding too!

Birthday-Palooza Wrap-Up

It seems as if we celebrated Cole's 6th birthday forever this year. It all began with cupcakes on the last day of school. Then he celebrated on the 6th with a friend party at one of his favorite places to go; the Lied's Discovery Children's Museum. That was a blast! All the kids had a really fun time, they got to explore the museum, make slime and eat pizza and cake.

On his real birthday (the 11th) Daddy came home early from work and swam with Cole and then later we took Carson to my folks' house to be babysat so we could take Cole out on his own special birthday date. He chose to go to the Titanic Exhibit (his new obsession is the Titanic) at the Luxor Hotel and to dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. Both activities were a lot of fun, the exhibit was really amazing (but expensive) they have a ton of Titanic artifacts and an actual piece of the ship. Unfortunately they allowed NO photography inside. Anyways, Cole is now officially 6 and I think we are all celebrated out for the time being.

I Must Be Doing Something Right

...because Cole just came up to me and randomly threw his arms around me and said, "Mom, you are the best Mom two little boys could ever have".

Those are the moments that make it all so worthwhile!

Brotherly Bonding

This is how I found the boys watching cartoons together the other day. They really are turning into the best of buddies. Of course they can squabble pretty darn good too. I'm glad they love eachother so much and are building lifetime bonds.