Summer, Summer, Summer Time!

Summer is officially in full swing around here, even though we doubted those first snowy weeks in May whether it would truly come! With the exception of the usual afternoon winds, the boys have been enjoying the warm weather immensely. Most mornings, they are out the back door as early as nine o'clock riding bikes and finding the perfect sticks to practice their jedi knight moves {bunch of nerds!}. And I can't tell you how happy I am to have an hour of quiet to clean up breakfast and do a few chores with only one bambino underfoot. Especially since that rising sun catches us almost 45 minutes earlier than Albuquerque and the boys are often up right along with it. 

As for school, we're still chugging along. For the most part, we will be continuing through the summer for the sake of rhythm and because it's really been a great way for the four of us to spend some intentional time together. It's amazing to see just how much we have fallen into a groove and everyone {for the most part} knows what's expected of them.  

Even Judah, who just a few months ago provided a fairly large distraction, has now resigned to the fact that it's better to sit and color quietly than to be banished to the living room for not allowing us to work without interruption. Plus, the warmer weather has provided us so much more freedom to work OUTSIDE, which everyone loves. I mean, who doesn't love coloring and practicing reading with a soft breeze and the birds chirping in the trees?

And who doesn't love teaching while working on their tan?!

If we gotta practice those phonemes, I might as well prop those legs up in the sun, right?!

Speaking of tan, let's get to this little Sloan Gem. She has the most beautiful olive glow to her just like her daddy. Except for her creases. Those are white like momma. 

This last week, she had her first go round with water play and her very own pop-cicle. To say she dug it would be a tremendous understatement.

Sweet, sweet summertime...

...we welcome you!

Making a Splash

Just a short video of A.B., Benny and Judah playing around in the ol' bath {otherwise known as how we kill an hour on the days where we can't get out!}.

Fridge Art

This weekend, while Baby J napped, The Deuce and I tried our hand at an actual arts-n-crafts project. To date, we've yet to venture out much past coloring or finger painting; although we did try glue sticks once. Curious taste buds quickly brought that little endeavor to a close though! Two and half is tricky age! Just old enough to be eager to try. Just young enough to have the attention span of a gnat. With daddy home to help bail us out should the need arise, we forged ahead though. The end result? A wonderful mess, a beautiful batch of fridge magnets, and simply too much fun.

Refrigerator Magnets 
Original dough recipe found here:  
* 1 pound box of baking soda
* 1 cup cornstarch
* 1 1/4 cups water

In a saucepan, combine baking soda and cornstarch. Gradually add 1 1/4 cups water and stir until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thick and dough-like. Knead the clay and flatten. Let your child use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Allow the shapes to dry overnight. Help your child decorate the shapes with {WASHABLE!}paint, or glue and glitter. Glue small magnets to the back of each shape with super glue! Save or if you can part with them, share em' someone ya' love!

In the Land of Being One...

Goats drive taxi's and pigs catch a ride

Purses bulge with Hotwheels

Goldfish live in barns

And walruses like to drink from a bottle.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Also in the land of being one....

Go-ku=cookie {Abe}
Dane-du=thank you {Abe}
Bay-pe=baby {Abe}
Ceri=cereal {Ben}
Key-Ka=carrot {Ben}
Pie=dessert {Ben}
Schnaps=snacks {Ben}
Nigh=light {Ben}
Meow=cat {B&A}
Hep=Help {B&A}
Wah-wah=water {B&A}
Side=outside {B&A}

I can hardly wait to see what's to come in the land of being two!

Brotherly Love

Pot Holder

Just Fortin' Around

The boys are really into exploring these days! One of their favorite spots is under the kitchen table. I think it's because it has fort potential-it's just their size and out of mom's reach.