July 19, 2008

Saturday was such a great day. We were at the farm for a family reunion. Horse and buggy rides, more time on the 4-wheeler, more swimming, fireworks, and lightening bugs. The kids stayed up way too late, and had such a fun time!

Obligatory cute picture of Rowan:

And the wagon rides? Not just for the kids.

July 18, 2008

Jon worked on Friday, so the kids and I hung out in Sheldon. We walked to HyVee, played at "the best park we've ever been to" and had Subway for lunch. Then we swam in the hotel pool and 2 of the 4 of us had a good nap. Then we went swimming with cousins, and played at the farm a bit. Not a bad vacation day - for us anyway. Jon's didn't go as well.

Six of the fourteen (?) second cousins.

July 17, 2008

On Thursday we fed the ducks at a local park. Normally we only do this after Ellie's art class, but this was an extra trip. We found baby ducks this time - but we were all out of bread. Next time, Conor says.

July 15, 2008

On Tuesday C and E went to a party at the library for the summer reading program. It was "way fun." Cubbie Bear was there, and there were worm races, using real worms. Ellie didn't participate, but "Miss Sherry said 'Just go ahead and pick a prize'". Ellie chose stick on earrings, which she loved. She still has no interest in really getting them pierced, which is fine. I think the rule at our house might be you have to be twelve.

July 14, 2008

For about a year now, Jon and Conor have worked on the $20 pass. Jon throws the football from one end of our backyard, to Conor, who's standing in the neighbor's yard (on the other side). If Conor ever caught it, he'd get $20. Normally Jon has to convince Conor to even try it, and then after two or three attempts Conor will have a fit and roll around on the grass and not want to play anything for awhile. Tonight, however, he asked Jon to throw some. Our neighbor was out, and after five passes, Jon explained what they were doing. On the next pass, Conor caught it, with an audience no less.

I'm pretty sure that this amazing effort tonight is for a reason. Both kids try to climb the rope in gymnastics, and both are frustrated by it. The reward for being able to do it is $20. (They like cash, okay)? Tonight Ellie got amazingly close - I need to bring the camera next week close. And this caused unbelievable concern for Conor. He had a hard time concentrating on his class because he was watching her. He was excited for her, but a bit threatened. I don't think he likes the idea of her being first to do something like that.

I think we need to find a reward other than cash, as we will soon be out of it at this rate. Too bad there's nothing else that motivates them quite as much.

July 13, 2008

Today Jon and Grandma and Grandpa Wilson took the big kids to Summerfest. They each got to pick 4 rides, and in true C and E fashion, they did the same thing. They rode the cars, the carousel, and then they got up the nerve to try the kids roller coaster. Ellie told me as soon as she got home "I didn't really want to try it, but it was so fun!!" They went on that twice, and on the second time, Ellie held her hands up. I'm pretty excited to try Adventureland.
The first time on the roller coaster:

July 12, 2008

Today was the Summerfest parade. Don't they look just thrilled? They were tired of waiting. Yes, those are sweatshirts, and they were needed. I didn't take one, and I was freezing. Luckily Jon gave me his.
Because soon it started to rain. It never really poured, but it was a good rain a couple of different times. That didn't stop the candy from being thrown though. Those are grocery sacks that we brought to fill up. And we pretty much did.