Summer Time Fun ... part 1

Summer is quickly coming to a close, and I thought it would be fun to take a look back at some of the fun things we have done. We weren't able to take our usual summer trips to visit family this year (either in Idaho or Maryland), but we managed to have fun close to home.

(I'm doing this in several installments ... at least three ... if you want to see any of the pictures better just click on the collage and it zooms in.)

School ended June 4th and we immediately started enjoying the extra time. We went to a park not too far away, called the Chutes and Ladder park (my kids also call it the Fort park ... they have names for several of their favorite parks). It really is quite amazing and the kids LOVE it. This year Grayson was able to enjoy it just as much as the older kids. He went down the huge slide with Bryant first, but after that he was able to go on his own. I was a little nervous when he started climbing the nets, but I'm not sure why since his nickname is monkey and he got that since he climbs like a monkey. He did great and loved every minute of it.

We also went to a couple of beaches in June. There really are lakes every where you turn here. The first day we went to a beach was a little cold for swimming in my opinion. Of course the kids still got wet and had fun playing in the sand (I think I had half of the beach in my washing machine that night). Grayson had a hard time keeping his swim suit on so we saw a little more of him than we were expecting that day. It is still laughed about amongst my friends.

The boys (meaning the 3 oldest) enjoyed a father-son campout as well. I thought they would burst waiting for their dad to get home to go that day. They were pretty excited. It was the first father-son campout Grayson has gone on. They had a great time with friends, eating smores and sleeping in the tent. And they can't wait for next year.

I don't have action shots with Connor, but I didn't want to leave him out. He's about 6 weeks to 2 months in these pictures. He loves singing songs with his dad and brothers. His swing is also a favorite hang out.

That pretty much covers June ... parks, beaches and camping. I hope you will stay tuned to hear how we filled our days in July and August. (I get exhausted just thinking about all the things we did!)

Random conversation

This conversation on our way to soccer practice tonight had me cracking up ...

Rehn: "Bryant and Benjamin, when we pull up you need to run over to your team."

Benjamin: "I don't know where to go."

Rehn: "Just follow Bryant."

Bryant: "Yeah. I'll be the one in the red shirt."

Rehn: "Or maybe he'll be able to recognize your face."


A few minutes later, after the boys have gotten out of the car and we are about to get out, Grayson randomly says, "Mom, Dad, I don't need any skates."

Rehn: "Skates?"

Grayson: "Yeah. I don't need any skates."

Rehn: "You're right."
(Then to me) "Our kids are really on top of things tonight."

That pretty much sums it up.

The Many Faces of Connor

I started playing around with my camera last week and these are some of the shots that I got. I'm completely biased ... but isn't he SO cute! Who could resist those cheeks?

Confessions of a parent

I must confess ... I've been tricking my child and I'm sure one day it is going to backfire on me. Actually ... I think this can be classified as reverse psychology. But before I get to that, I need to give you a little background. Grayson is a very active child and he loves to be around other people. He plays hard all day but he is generally pretty easy to get to bed ... unless he is sleeping with other people in the room. Then he thinks it is still play time.

Well, earlier this week after I put him down in his bed, I hear whispering coming from Bryant and Benjamin's room and I realize that Grayson has sneaked in there. But they are being quiet, so I let them go and don't say anything, and before long they are all fast asleep. Here is a picture of Grayson in Bry's bed (it was hard to get a good shot, but they were so cute I had to try).

So the next night, Grayson asks if he can sleep in the boys room again. After last night went so well, I think, why not? But that night does not go so well. They are all playing around and talking loudly and we have to go in several times to ask them to settle down. They do eventually fall asleep, but it takes a while. The next night, we decide to give Grayson another chance but once again it takes a long time and they are loud. SO... before we even get to bedtime the next night, I tell Grayson he's going to have to sleep in his own bed. I get him settled and within 2 minutes he is running down the hall to his brothers' room ... but he doesn't know that I saw him. And since he thinks he's being sneaky he's quiet! They whisper and giggle for a little bit, but they go to sleep and we never have to talk to them.

Do you see where I'm going with this? Now when he asks if he can sleep with his brothers (and he has every night) I tell him "no." Then when he thinks I'm not listening he whispers to his brothers that he's going to sneak over. They start laughing and I pretend I didn't hear. I know he's going to sneak over there, but if he's sneaking, he's quiet, so I don't care! Rehn and I sit in our room and laugh when we see him dash in and hear his little giggle because he thinks he is getting away with something. I'm sure I'm going to regret encouraging him to be sneaky later, but all of the boys are having such a good time being together. He was taking turns between Bryant's and Benjamin's bed, but he seems to prefer Bry's since he is on the bottom bunk. Last night he started with Benjamin, but after Benjamin fell asleep he went down to Bry's and ended up sleeping there. It's nice to have kids that get along so well. The older boys are great at including Grayson and they actually like having him around ... most of the time!

Stories with ... Benjamin

Okay ... you are probably wondering why you are looking at a blurry picture of a bowl with a couple pieces of tomato in it. Let me explain ...
The two older boys take turns clearing and setting the table. Last week it was Benjamin's turn to clear, which includes putting the food away. Benjamin is always very thorough, so I wasn't surprised to come out and find it all done. But then I opened the fridge and saw this container (it did have a lid on). He is so thorough that he saved these five little pieces of tomato! Rehn and I thought it was pretty funny, but that is our Benjamin. He is such a helpful kid ... he is always the first to volunteer ... and he does a great job.

Another story about Benjamin being helpful ... and reaping the rewards. Tonight while making dinner, I needed something from downstairs, so I called down and asked for one of the boys to bring it up to me. I happen to be putting away the basket with chocolate chips at the time, so I thought it would be nice to give whoever brought it up a few. It was Benjamin who brought it up, so he got the reward, and thought it was great. I told him it was for being willing to help, but I was also sure to add that I don't always give a reward ... just sometimes. A little while later, I needed the boys again and you should've seen how fast Benjamin came up! I've never seen him move so fast. And best of all, he wasn't even disappointed that there was no reward this time.

And did I mention that Benjamin is a very smiley kid ... ever since he was a baby. He is generally happy and gets lots of comments on his smile. What a handsome boy (I know .. I'm biased!). He's looking so old in this picture ... I'm not sure I like that!