August 7, 2008

Today we left Rowan with Grandma and met some friends at the Capitol. I was hoping for a fun tour, but was actually pretty disgusted with the whole situation. We didn't get to walk up the big steps to get in, but rather had to enter through a service entrance. Only employees get to use the big steps. And the old ladies who give the tours were pretty crabby - I think because we had kids with us. So we ended up ditching the tour and walking around ourselves. We couldn't go up to the rotunda because of construction, but that's okay.

After the capitol we had a picnic lunch at a park. There was a rocket slide, a carousel, and a splash pool. I'm pretty sure we could have skipped the capitol.

August 6, 2008

Just your normal early evening party: football, baseball, soccer, assorted jump roping. Rowan is checking everything out, and Jon's trying to play basketball.

August 5, 2008

The last time we saw Bria she was a rope-jumping madgirl. Ellie was so jealous, and has been practicing every chance she gets. She still needs a LOT of work on twirling and jumping at the same time, but if someone else twirls, she's pretty good. She can even jump in without much problem. It's not that often that two grownups are available to twirl, so we've been using the "tie one end to the basketball hoop pole" method. It seems to work pretty well. Probably much better than the "tie one end to the garage door track" method I remember using. Although the garage door track probably kept the rope from sliding down...

Anyway, if you'll be seeing Ellie in the near future, be prepared to twirl. And count. And resume counting after any missteps, as though they never occurred.

August 3, 2008

I know, I know. Another one of Rowan in his highchair. Not a whole lot going on around here the last few days.

August 2, 2008

Jon is a magician. Every once in a great while, he can magically make water balloons appear. This morning he mowed while Conor and Ellie played inside. Towards the end of lunch, he clapped his hands over his head and said "Make two water balloons appear in the garage." I'd never witnessed the magic before, but C and E were out of their chairs before he finished his sentence. (Apparently the clap is the big clue). They were so excited, but not at all surprised, to find two water balloons in the garage. They both came back inside to ask Jon to make more, but he wasn't feeling like the magic would happen just then. As they were walking back out, Ellie clapped her hands over her head. Through the garage door I heard her ask "Did any more appear?" See, that's the best part. They both wholeheartedly believe that he can make them appear.

They don't really like to pop them though, just collect them. After convincing them that it would be a good day for a water balloon fight, I filled up the rest. The neighbor came over, and the balloons were soon gone.


And, Rowan has a new trick!

August 1, 2008

Today we went to the new "natural playscape" at Jester Park. It's a neat little area - sand, water and mud. I think the theory behind it is to get kids to use their imagination outside. There are no signs telling them what to do, or what not to do. C and E weren't too much into the sand. I think they figured "We have a sandbox we pretty much do whatever we want in - big deal." The water however - that they loved. Ellie was soaked within the first two minutes. They had a really fun time - even Rowan. We had a picnic first, and then pretty much had the place all to ourselves, which I like.

July 31, 2008

Two weeks from Thursday is the first day of school. That means that we're trying to jam in everything I'd wanted to get done this summer, but haven't gotten around to yet.


Thursday we went to the zoo. We rode the train, had a snack, and even saw the sea lion show. We did not, however buy a toy from the gift shop, which apparently my kids think is a requirement. They did get to feed the donkeys and the fish. Getting to feed the fish is a big deal, because this creeps me out. All I can think of is what it would be like if one of the kids fell in. Ugh.