Summer Fun #2

One day I was wandering the blogger world and came across this post. I stored it away for later reference. I didn't think I would be using it so early. Adam was away still and I was looking for something to keep them occupied while I got dinner ready. I had an old bag of marsh mellows so the toothpicks were needed. I was amazed with how well it went over. Here are some pics of the process.

In the beginning stages

#2 was really into it....he is my builder though

#1's finished creation

Park Fun

#2 had a blast playing in the fountain at the park. Of course I didn't have a single towel with me so he had to play until he was dry. He also decided to go lay in the sand after he was all wet. Gotta love boys.

Auntie Sarah

Aunt Sarah and Uncle Jeff came over on Sunday. It was a nice visit (Adam was still gone and I was done with children). We decided to grab a lunch and head to the park. We had a great time playing. Aunt Sarah is due next month (2 weeks) and we can hardly wait for our little cousin to be here. Of course it is a boy because we don't have enough of them in our family.

Summer Fun

I was reading the paper one day and saw an ad for the Bass Pro Shops Summer Family Camp. The word that stood out to me was FREE. I am always looking for things that are free for our large family to attend. On Tuesdays and Thursday (Saturdays and Sundays too) they are offering seminars to teach certain outdoor skills. So last week I loaded up the kids to take Adam to the airport and then off we went to Bass Pro. I was a little concerned take them all by myself, but we did have a good time. We were there a total of 5 hours!! I was done after 3, but the big boys were in to getting their pins. At the end there was the treat of smores too.

It was really fun. As we walked in #1 commented on how he was in paradise. The seminars were anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes and in between we played with the equipment and tried not to be enticed by all the goodies.

Sorry about all the collages, but that was the only way I could get all the pictures in one post. If you want close ups click on the pictures.

Views from School

School is out, but there were some things that I wanted to reflect on before we get too far in the summer. This is a collage of images that I see often in my school. Teaching in California can be challenging, but I love the challenge. I want to be able to take a group of kids that are borderline in their learning and have them soar. In my classroom I try to create an environment where we help each other. Most of the world operates in the idea that only the strong survive. I like to think that we are only strong when we are working together to accomplish a goal. So that means there are only two rules in my room and they are taken very seriously: Respect and Responsibility. Respect covers almost everything that has to do with others such as hitting, calling names, laughing at each other, etc... To have respect for your fellow man means that you treat them like you want to be treated. So when we make mistakes do I want to be yelled at or rather given grace so that I can feel free to try again. Responsibility because these are soon to be young men and women who are going to be in our society. I want them to feel the weight of people depending on them and what that means when they decide they don't need to work hard. It is tough but by the end of the year it is a great classroom even if the hormones are kicking in. So all that to say, I enjoy teaching and helping train the next generation to think and be kind in the process.

So in a clockwise order spiraling in....My box in the workroom...explains itself...the copy machine...my students in line...I am room 13...our testing sign that is up frequently...the ramp to go up to my room...our mascot, the dragon...recess run....my favorite Adams' dragon, basketball is a fun...and finally room 13

The Baby

Being the baby of the family means a lot. It means that you are loved on all the time (whether you want to or not). You have no problems getting what you want. There are plenty of clothes to choose from (as long as they don't have holes in them). There are some down sides to being the baby as well. It means that your older brothers(siblings) will do things to you that you may or may not have control over such as putting you in a little box and treating you like a Jack-n-the-box. It did make for some cute pictures. It appears he didn't really mind anyway.

The oldest (the master mind) with the youngest(the victim...this time)

I have to say though he is awfully cute.

My Big Boy

I love to walk into moments like these. The transition to a big boy bed has been a little rough due to the fact that he can get up and out of bed. It usually means that we have to put in back in bed at least 3 times a night. One night we walk in this is what we find. He didn't quite make it to bed, but he was fast asleep. Feet completely off the ground. Paci in mouth (this was before he turned 2...no more paci now). Priceless.

The Atch Bros

In my fantasy life my boys will become the best band in the US. They each have a gift that they would bring to the band. For now though, we just pretend. Here we are on a random night with our friends just jammin' to some tunes and banging some pots playing a little electric air guitar.

Our faithful followers

Father's Day 2

Now here are the men in our lives that we can call Dad, Papa, G-pa, and Grandpa. These men have helped to shape Adam and I into who we are today. (they can take some of the blame too :)) Happy Father's Day, Dads!!!

Adam's Dad (Papa)

My Dad, G-pa

Adam's Grandpa, Grandpa Day

Happy Father's Day

In honor of our Daddy I thought I would post some pictures of him and his boys. I could not have asked for a better Father to my children. He loves them relentlessly. He is teaching them how to be compassionate and kind to a fellow human. He is teaching them that loving God should be priority above all else. He also is teaching them that fishing is one of the greatest things on this Earth. He allows them to ask a million questions about anything and everything, but especially nature. He shows them how to make mud holes to take mud baths in. He has stayed home while I worked and been one of the best fathers I have ever met. Thank you Adam for all the sacrifices you make so that you can teach our boys how to be men of God. They love you and can't survive without you. I love you and can't imagine having these boys with anyone else.

My Unplanned Garden

Look at what grew in our garden all by itself. I love it when things grow unexpectedly. It is a reminder that God allows the unexpected to happen in our lives. How beautiful it can be.

A Chalk Board Wall

So I got a little crazy one weekend and painted a wall. I have been wanting one of these after seeing a friend do it. I could imagine all the things I would use it for. So off I went to Home Depot. It was really simple and if you are a good painter there is no need to so much mess (I am not..I tend to get it everywhere) Here is the finished product. The boys love it and we were able to count down our last days of school on it.

Mud

The original mud hole
Dad's help with the mud hole

#1 helping with the hole

#2 enjoying the hole

#2 during the mud fight that followed

Mud...who knew it could be so fun.

Preschool Graduation

Summer is here and we had our only graduation this year, yet a very powerful one. We now have 2 children that are school age. #1 and #2 will be going with me to school next year. Here are some scenes from his graduation. They sang many songs and then the teachers had a little presentation for us in the classroom. It was great.

"You're a Grand Ole' Flag"

#2's fansPosing for mommy

Receiving his certificate

Mrs. Levine and Mrs. Compare

Summer is here and we had our only graduation this year, yet a very powerful one. We now have 2 children that are school age.