Summer Summary, Part 2

In July, Seth and Parker took swimming lessons at the Big Splash here in Grove City. This was Seth's second year of lessons here. It was also Parker's second year, but the first year was a parent and child class where a parent stayed in the water with him.

Seth practiced the side stroke, back stroke, front stroke and breast stroke.

Parker had a rough time. He didn't want to participate in the class by himself (without a parent). The teachers coaxed him in a couple of times, but after the fourth class (out of 8), we gave up and quit taking him to the classes.

No, I don't want to.

Working with the instructor

It was fun for 2 minutes!

Each day during the summer, the kids had job lists.

One of Parker's jobs was to write his name. He did really well and quickly learned how to spell and write PARKER.

He also had to draw and/or color a picture every day.

A house, by Parker

On July 30th, we celebrated Shane's 45th birthday at Max and Erma's. Since it was his birthday, we got free cookies!

Parker also learned letters while taking baths.

We spent several days and evenings swimming at Big Splash. It seems to be the one place all the kids have fun at together!

Summer Summary, Part 1

Before school starts in 1 week, let's take a look at a summary of our summer! Here are a few things we did back in May and June that weren't on the blog yet!

We visited the Scioto Mile Fountains in downtown Columbus. This is a really neat place (and free!), but it was very crowded and a bit chilly the day we went.

Parker and I visited the Columbus Zoo (before school was out for the summer). We went on a Pirate Voyage boat ride that Parker really liked.

We found a new, little park in Grove City.

Isabelle and I went to visit an animal sanctuary farm in Marysville. Of course Isabelle loved this place! They take in neglected or abused animals and raise them on a great farm.

Isabelle attended a horse camp at Liberty Farms on the west side of Columbus. She learned about grooming and riding and absolutely loved it! The camp was in the morning, so Isabelle came back to work with me in the afternoons.

Here are some photos Isabelle took at camp:

And a video:

Next up - July!

Parker's Big Bed

A couple of weekends ago, Parker transitioned to a big bed! He went from store to store with us and helped pick out his full-size bed, mattress and the outer space bedding. It was a lot of work!

Posing for the last time in his crib, converted to a toddler bed. 

Trying out mattresses

Bringing the box spring home!

Shane had to make two trips - one to pick up the bed and one to pick up the mattress at a different location. We fit pieces on top of the truck and the actual mattress fit in the back of the van.

The new bed and bedding!

Parker's room has been transformed into an outer space themed room! He really likes the planets and we've been talking about them a lot recently. Here are a few other decorations and items in his room:

Parker helped put the decals on the walls

Rocket pillow and Oinky

Toy box

Trip to Michgan

Over the 4th of July weekend, we took a trip to Steve's house in Breckenridge, Michigan. There were a lot of us there: our whole family, Barb & Steve, Lori & Dave, Jon, Sarah & Jon, Olivia and Connor. I forgot my camera, but managed to get just a few photos.

Parker (4) and Connor (5)

Uncle Louie helped Connor catch a fish from his pond

Sarah, Olivia, Isabelle

Girls making bracelets

Isabelle made a video of her 4-wheeler ride with Dad:

Photo bomb by Barb!

Fun With Our Cinci Friends

We spent a couple of days in June with my good friend Shannon and her kiddos, Savannah and Brady. First we traveled to Cincinnati and spent the day at a neat park called Home of the Brave Park. We had hoped to be able to use the splash pad there, but it was closed for repairs.

Brady, Isabelle, Savannah, Seth (Parker was camera shy)

Once it started raining, we headed to an indoor Rainbow showroom / playground. It is filled with playsets and all of the kids had a really fun time running around!

The second day we spent together was a week later at the Big Splash pool in Grove City.

 

Once again, we had to cut our outside time short due to rain. So we headed to Capital City Cakes for ice cream, cookies and brownies.

These kids all get along so well!