Climber

Hes so proud of himself!

Boat day

We headed down south this weekend to check out Grams boat.  The kids loved it.  They each got a turn driving and thought that was the coolest thing ever.

Gram came ready with note pads, colored pencils and stickers so the kids could document all the things they saw while we were out.

She also found some pirate hats, eye patches and little treasure chests filled with candy for each of them.

It was a fun trip and it was nice to escape the 100degree heat for a bit.  The kids did great for being on a boat for 5hrs.  This was the first time they were on a boat that wasn't docked.  I think they're hooked.

Championship meet

Its over! Finally!  The boys had the championship swim meet on Saturday.  Thankfully it was much cooler than its been recently and it was actually nice to be outside.  The boys had it rough though. When they weren't swimming, they had to sit in a tent and play video games with friends! They did awesome.  Since all 6 teams were there competing, they each only swam in 2 races.  Sam won his first heat (freestyle).  His races were really far apart so we let him go to the playground next to the pool.  I think we let him play too long because he was pooped for his second race.  

Ben did great in both of his races.  His breast stroke has improved each meet and he passed a couple kids in his relay.  Ben came in 3rd in his heat in his second race.  

They had the awards banquet Sunday night.  They passed out ribbons from the championship meet, medals and trophies.  They also got special coaches awards.  Sam got the S-amped up award because he was always eager and ready to do what ever the coaches asked.

Ben got the Jitterbug award because he is always moving/dancing.  I think its an improvement over last years most vocal award!

Putt putt

We took the kids out for a heated game of putt putt last night.  It was Ellie and Zachs first time.

Fortunately no one was in front of us so the kids could go ahead of us which sped the game up quite a bit.

Everyone had fun,  mostly because we didn't keep score....

...and because the putt putt is attached to a Dairy Queen!

Happy birthday

Last year two kids on our street got 21 speed bikes.  Of course Ben immediately started begging for a new bike, which he didn't need.  The begging started up again this summer so we struck a deal. Since the bike he wanted was more than we would normally spend, he was able to get it, but its an early birthday present, his only birthday present this year, he's giving up a party and he'll be keeping this bike until he's 18!  I was slightly shocked he agreed to those terms, but he did.  We picked up the bike last night and he's in heaven.

Work bench

Jon told me if he ever won the lottery, he would quit his job and do something involving wood working.  We haven't won the lottery, but we've moved a step closer to him being able to create things.  We cleared out a section of our basement and Jon built a workbench.  It still needs to be stained, but it looks amazing.  I can't wait to see what creations he'll come up with.

Ellie day

July 5th was Ellie day and I think she enjoyed every second.  She picked cinnamon rolls for breakfast, steak for lunch and pizza for dinner.  We went to the pool, we made cupcakes and did a little shopping.  Ellie outgrew her Minnie Mouse bike and was crazy excited when she found a bike that will hold her baby.  She's a happy girl!

4th

We had a great 4th of July weekend.  We crashed Corries house on the 3rd with some friends to see the North Olmsted fireworks.  We had a great view and the kids had a great time.

Our neighbors had an all day party on the 4th.  They have a really cool basement.  It has a home movie theater, ping pong and a custom made video game machine containing 18,000 video games, so when the rain came the kids were still occupied

Fortunately, it dried out in time for sparklers and fireworks.

The older two got a special type of sparkler that was crazy bright and smoked.  

Zach thinks sparklers are pretty cool.

After the fireworks, the kids were more than ready to go home.  Once they climbed into bed, they got a treat of another fireworks show that they could see from bed.  It was a good day!

Wordless Wednesday: bangin' hair

6 days, 3 meets

We're getting close to the end of swim season.  The boys love it, but its exhausting.  On top of early practices 5 days a week, we have meets that go anywhere from 2.5-5hrs.  This year most of the meets are away, so swim season takes a lot of time.  I'll be glad to have some down time.

One of the meets last week got really cold.

We've been hiring a sitter for Ellie and Zach for most of the meets, but we took them to a home meet.  Ellie was happy to kill some time with watermelon.

One of the meets had a red, white and blue theme.

Buddies.

We love watching Sam do his back stroke.  He has a smile on his face the entire way.

Sam has made a new friend.  They are like the same loud, rambunctious kid!

Brothers.

Ben got swimmer of the week last week and Sam got it this week.

Bumpers

Baby

Charlie might technically be Bens dog, but hes Ellies baby. She always makes sure hes comfy under the blanket (even if its 90 degrees outside) and will often share her stuffed animals so he isn't lonely!