Time Flies

Bryan went into the office yesterday. He got home just in time to finish the bedtime routine with Topher. After that Bryan and I caught up on all the talking we couldn't do throughout the day because he was at work and I was surrounded by people that want to talk more than they want to listen. Before I realized it, two hours had gone by and we still had plenty to share.

I love that after more than twenty years of being married, he's still the person I most want to talk with. 

At the Car Wash

Bryan gave the kids a lesson in hard work on Saturday afternoon. Some of them got pretty soggy. One highlight of the van washing was Bryan's discovery of two small wasps nests INSIDE the back door of the van. I'm sorry, no, that wasn't a highlight. At least they're gone now!

Park Hopping

We've been spending hours outside this summer. I figured that once we had our own backyard we wouldn't go to parks as often. I was wrong. We still go to parks (only empty parks for now, which are a little tricky to find), but we also play in the backyard. We're going through more sunscreen than ever before, and even then we've got tan lines and new freckles.

We had one day this week where we park hopped. After the fourth park in one day we were all sticky and dirty from so much outdoor fun.

Last night when Topher said his prayers he included these words, "And please help us to wake up in the morning and go to five parks."

Park 1:

Park 2:

Park 3:

This slide is enormous. I'm standing and reaching up as high as I can to point to where Topher climbed (very quickly) on the outside of this slide. He only stopped when I used my danger voice. Peter had to retrieve him because I couldn't properly reach him.

Park 4:

Still park 4, but the next day:

Documenting the Everyday

I was going through my pictures tonight and discovered this one from Sophie. Her caption is quite correct, he does love that show. Also, I need to do a better job keeping track of who has my phone.

Slick Turns

"Hey guys, check out my slick turns." -Topher, getting ready to show off his scooter skills.

Go Play Outside

Our Independence Day celebrations this year included:

• baking pies (two store bought, one mostly homemade)
• preparing sides for hamburgers and hot dogs
• lots of time in the kitchen for me
• lots of time in the backyard for the kids
• Topher applying his own sunscreen
• Topher running into the house to deposit his excess sunscreen on the palms of my hands

• pool time

• dinner in the backyard

• the biggest popsicles ever

• and drying off as the sun went down

We finished the day with a family movie, followed by that walk around the neighborhood that I wrote about yesterday, then pie right before bed. It was a long day, but a good one.

Happy Fireworks Day!

This post is made possible by the people in our neighborhood who set off gigantic fireworks. I'm thankful for them because all we had to do for an awesome show was take a leisurely stroll shortly after dark. It made for a great end to our July 4th activities.

Stay Cool

It was hot today. The temperature got up to 93 degrees. We still went to the park, when it was only in the mid-80s outside, and played. Everyone had a water bottle, but they were still tired and thirsty when we got home. Topher was so tired that all he wanted to do was lie on the floor and snuggle Peter. It couldn't be the couch or a chair, it had to be the floor. Maybe the floor felt extra cool on his hot skin? Whatever the reason, Peter obliged.

We quickly treated the multiple cases of overheating with popsicles. Everyone recovered nicely.

Like Magic

A brand new park just opened less than a mile from our house. We've gone two days in a row. The slides are big enough that Peter and Cooper can use them, which is awesome. The most magical thing about it? The kids spent the morning fighting with each other, then everyone played amazingly well together while at the park. The fighting started again when we got in the car to go home. A park that makes them get along? I think we might just go everyday.

Keep the Commandments

Bryan was in charge of Primary in our house last Sunday. At the conclusion he used the coloring page that came in the manual for that week. This is what it looks like:

Bryan gave Sophie and Topher instructions to color the hearts one color, the commandments another color, and the footsteps a third color, then he started working on lunch. After they'd been coloring for a little bit Topher let out a sigh of frustration and said, "Ugh! There are too many commandments! I'm tired of commandments!"

Oh boy.