The kids making use of their bunkbeds that they love so much:
A couple books that I discovered at a homeschool conference. Really excited to give them a go:
I dropped Milayla off at Jason's work one day while Atticus and I went to the book store for his reading outing and Milayla got to ride the bus and metro home with Jason (then go to the park!). It was the most exciting outing for her, she has been asking to do it again and again!
As for that reading outing. Atticus finished his learn to read book and so we set up a scavenger hunt for him to read his way around the house and finally find his reading certificate and a coupon to use to get a new book at the bookstore. He picked Mommy to take him to the bookstore to select his new book. It was a fun outing. We're pretty proud of all the hard work he has put into reading and he's still working on improving those reading skills even more!
Atticus wrapped up his french class. It's been a great help to his interest in french. He had such a very sweet teacher.
We spent a LOT of days at the water parks - we tried to discover as many as possible. Picnic dinners and picnic lunches have been had in plentiful amounts around here.
All that time in the water and sun results in some pretty solid naps, too. I really cannot resist taking photos of my sleeping babes. They are always so sweet, but there is something extra special about the peace they have when they sleep. They also have a knack for falling asleep in some funny positions - those are always fun to catch on camera.
I was a semi-bad influence and taught the kids how to make a fortress with their bed. Hehe.
Lots of Ikea trips. The kids endure them pretty well, but I think it's the promise of ice cream at the end that helps that along. And getting to ride on the cart :).
I made a new hat for Atticus as all the hats we had were too small this year. He loves having things made for him and is so appreciative. I had never made a hat before and so he asked me; "Mommy, how will you make it then?" and I said, "I'll learn how." to which he responded, "oh, that's a really good idea". I would like to think that I am setting an example to these kids that sometimes you just need to give it a try and learn new things (even if the result isn't perfect we can learn through the mistakes!). Here's hoping!
In any case, Atticus loved his hat and him and Milayla love that they both have bucket hats now!
And I got the lovely company of Milayla for an evening of shopping while we tracked down some birthday items for Atticus (balloons, gifts, craft materials for gifts etc). It was so much fun to get a little time with her. We have a blast spending time as a family, but getting a little time with each of the kids individually is such a necessity to really know them and nurture that relationship. We had quite a bit of fun getting to check out the new waterfountain in the mall. And, I have to say, Milayla was just a champion at helping pick things out. She is also such a great listener - staying close and helping to pick up items that are misplaced.
We also managed to find her her own pair of sunglasses. Pure happiness on this face.
And I spent a couple days madly taking notes, sitting in hard chairs, and sweating in rooms without airconditioning learning all about home school at a homeschool conference - curriculum, approaches, organizing, legalities, support and on and on. It was sooooo helpful but definitely a lot to take in. I think I am reaching the point of just needing to dive in and be ready to adjust as needed.
And a current love of ours is Sunday FHE after church in the park. The weather has been stunning. We cannot get enough time outside, so we pack a picnic and off we go. It also provides a great time to chat about our lessons. It's been a really positive choice!
And who could resist chasing bubbles for our FHE activity and admiring all the gorgeous things in nature that were heavenly created for us. So in love. Summer is good. Family is good. This world is good.
We have definitely not taken the time to make enough popsicles around here. Definitely need to do more of that before all these awesome heat waves are over. The kids were pretty excited to make these green smoothie protein popsicles with me. Rather love how excited they were about them!
And on those days that we really just want to chill inside, we've been giving painting a go. On this particular day it was just us girls giving it a go. With a little inspiration from an art book that we have we decided to try some painting on fabric. It was plenty of fun. Milayla is becoming rather devoted to working on her art pieces. We've been on the look out for ways to feed that interest.
And then there is book time. We have been reading chapter books as a family for a little while now and I stumbled on a great list of books for kids. The list is for older children, but some of them are great for read alouds. Love getting to cuddle up with these kiddos to read. It's a special time. And I love when they start asking questions and show how much they really have been listening!
And here are the kids showing off the book. This book actually had Jason and I choking back tears at a few different spots. It was a wonderful book. Definitely one I would love to have on our bookshelf and see the kids read again on their own.
One day, after a hot afternoon and picnic dinner at the water park we finally made the choice to go check out the giant orange (still have no idea what that place is called) that we pass all the time and the kids ask if we could try it. Well, we finally tried it. It's overpriced, but the orange juice is pretty good. And the kids loved it. They were so excited to have gone to the giant orange finally. As I write this, they came up with a plan to earn practice points on the piano to earn another trip to the giant orange. Yeah, they're pretty excited about that one!
I love this picture of Jason and the kids ready to head off to church. The pregnancy and heat have brought on some pretty extreme exhaustion so I was home in bed sleeping while they headed off. Can't wait to be full of more energy and heading to church as a family WITH our new addition as well! In the mean time, this picture makes me happy - especially my two mini-missionaries :).
While baby #3 is getting cosy in my belly, he is getting LOTS of hugs and kisses from his big siblings. I never thought I would love having the stomach on my shirt covered in little slobbery kiss marks as much as I do. So excited to see them as big siblings! Here's Atticus giving my belly (more importantly, the baby) some hugs.
Jason is getting pretty used to meeting us at the library after work. We love that place.
More play time. The kids are resting on a statue in Mount Royal Park here. We have loved practicing with a soccer ball as a family.
When we don't have time to head to a park, the kids make good use of the alley out back (not ideal, but better than nothing!) and have had fun playing with Aiofa, a little girl a bit younger than Milayla that lives in the unit connected to us. Here is Atticus pulling Aiofa on her little rocking pony.
More days of playgrounds and picnics.
And there is plenty of reading time here. plenty.
Milayla has really taken interest in trying to read the big 'ol chapter books that we got from the library. She really isn't there yet, but I have used the opportunity to strengthen some of her letter recognition and start on a few sight words. She's loving it. And I love finding her lounging on the couch or in a chair with a book 'reading' to herself out loud. Just a beautiful determination and imagination. Love it.
Milayla has been working on increasing her piano practice as well, which has been great. She isn't quite ready for full practices yet, but she's getting there! First song - hot cross buns.
Oh, and then there is this:
The kids cannot seem to explain this to me, but during breakfast and lunch, when they finish a bite of food they put their hands up in the air until the other person finishes their bite and joins them. I'll be honest, I don't get it, but it is fun to see them interacting so much.
And then there are these excited kiddos helping me set up the bassinet for the new baby. Will be exciting when the baby is finally sleeping in it next to our bed. Love having these helpers around, it makes things so much more fun :).
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