Weekend Shenanigans

It's been pretty hot the past week in our hood and Smart Flint Goldensword doesn't fare well on land if he isn't involved in some sort of water war. So, we decided to make water balloons.

Here is Smart Flint Goldensword looking all sweet and cute with his weaponry before the war begins....



Reinforcements.....



Smart Flint Goldensword did elicit a recruit for battle...She turned out to have a pretty good arm despite her size (we think that was part of the plan):





Somebody's happy......





One other shenanigan this weekend including putting up a tent. It's pretty interesting to see how much joy the kids derived from that thing. I guess we need to go camping.

Experimentation

I was trying to figure out a new snack for the kiddos and thought some fruit juice shapes would be good. Cute, huh? Yeah, real cute....

We assembled the necessary ingredients (fruit juice and unflavored gelatin):



After combining the ingredients, we diligintly chilled it for three hours and got this:



It's not pretty but Sam and I were hopeful. I mean, it looked like it would work and it did have the consistency of Jell-O. So, we proceeded with cutting out our shapes. Here's Smart FLint Goldensword doing a demonstration:



And here's what we ended up with.....




Cute, right?

Right.

Only problem is they tasted horrible...I mean like throw-up in your mouth horrible.

Next time, I'm using the fake stuff (i.e. Jell-O) with all the crap they put in it to make it taste better.

Summer Vacation -Day 12 -The Zoo: Part Deux

We had a chance to catch up with some friends we hadn't seen in a long time. Despite the time we spent in the "carnival" area of the zoo, we did check out some animals...Like this bear chowin' down on a hunk 'o meat....



The children minus Miss Hunter:


Goofin' around....


The train ride:

Summer Vacation -Day 10 =Structured Play is Genius

I was complaining commenting to Brad how our children are getting on my last nerve keeping me busy and that I needed some downtime to dream about carefree things such as looking and feeling like the woman in this picture:



Nice, eh? She's healthy, vibrant, in wonderful shape, etc, etc, etc.....Instead, I feel more like this:



In a moment of genius, Brad said, "Why don't you just create a schedule for yourselves?"


It was genius. And I was jealous because, after all, I'm the teacher in the family, right? Anyhow, this morning I set up "stations" as opposed "jobs" which is the Montessori term Sam is usually familiar with these days. And so, I present to you....drumroll, please....

The Marker Station:



The Play-Doh Station:



The Arts-n-Crafts Station (formerly known as the "Marker Station"-like how that works?)



The Jenga and Beginning Writing Station:



The Fort Station:



By the way, in between the Arts-n-Crafts station and the Jenga/Beginning Writing station, I hoofed it over to Mollie Stone's to grab some lunch and take the kiddies to our local park. Below is footage of their shenanigans as well as Izzy's athleticism. Clearly, her athletic abilities are a result of my gene pool. Ahem....



As a result of this newly implemented routine, I:
1. yelled less
2. picked up less
3. had a messier house
4. had happier children
5. took away Sam's spywatch until tomorrow because his ears are not listening well rather than throwing it in the trash (to make a statement, obviously, of who is running the show these days)
6. made spaghetti and meatballs for dinner

I'm going to go ahead and give this a 75% success rate. I'll shoot for higher tomorrow...I'm too exhausted right now to think straight. I barely have enough energy to finalize this post (which started early this morning during the Play-Doh station time frame).

Summer Vacation -Day 9 = A Visit to the Doctor

It was time for Izzy's 18 month check -up. In order to prepare for this event, I asked Smart Flint Goldensword to be a good role model for Izzy because she's not a fan of doctor visits. The following conversation ensued:

Me: Hey Sam, we're taking Izzy to the doctor today for her check-up. Can you show her how she should do stuff and help her not be afraid?
SFG: Is she getting shots?
Me: Uh......yeah.
SFG: Well, I don't want to get shot....only she should get shot.
Me: Yeah, well, she's going to get the shots.
SFG: Ok, I can go as long as I don't get shots. I don't get shots right? Nurse Karen said I'm not supposed to get any until I'm eleven and I'm five so I'm not supposed to get shots.
Me: Right, buddy. You're not getting any. So, can you help me out today?
SFG: Yeah, I guess I can go with you guys.

At this point, I'm chuckling in my head because since when does he have the option of NOT going with us. I mean, it's not like he gets to stay home by himself or anything.

Moving on.

We arrive at the doctor's office and SFG has decided to channel his inner spy. According to him, he wore these because he did not want Nurse Karen to think he was there for shots.



Our big girl on the scale....


The scale "weighs" in:


If you're wondering whether or not you read the correct number, you are. Izzy is approximately the height and weight of a three year old at the tender age of 18 months. No wonder my back hurts, no?

Her final stats:
Height = 33inches
Weight = 27.15 lbs.

She has over 25 sign language words and about 15-20 words she verbalizes and we understand.

I don't know how you feel but somebody is a ROCKSTAR!

Summer Vacation - Day 8- Couch Climbing Challenge

I know the world is focused on Wimbeldon, FIFA, the U.S. Open, and the recent NBA Championships but those all pale in comparison to the "First Annual Couch Climbing Challenge" taking place in our home:

Father's Day Trek

On Father's Day, we headed over to Mt. Tam and the West Point Inn. Every year, the inn hosts a pancake breakfast fundraiser at the top of the mountain. It's been a tradition for years. It's approximately two miles up and another two to get back down. The pancakes aren't cheap and the syrup isn't organic but the memory is awesome :)

This year we celebrated the fact that
a) Sam and I weren't complaining the entire way up or down
b) Izzy was with us...The last time we did this hike, I was three or four months prego

Alas, the pictures...We begin with "proof" of said distance:


The pancakes:


A family photo shot...complete with appropriate signage:


I have no idea who this blond kid is to the right but my children found him fascinating....


Our view the entire way up and down....


...and nature beckoning Smart Flint Goldensword:

Daddy: You Aaaaarrrrrrrrr the Best

Summer Vacation - Day 6 -A Fairy Tale Birthday

Our good friend Olivia turned the big five today. She had a fairy and pirate themed birthday party...Tinkerbell used a lot of pixie dust to arrive at her house and perform a magic show. Below is the beautiful birthday girl...



For those of you who don't believe me when I say Izzy gets shy around people, here is evidence of her "I'm-shy-and-harmless-and-not-feisty-at-all" pose:


I don't know where she gets that look from...certainly not from her extroverted mother.

As I mentioned before, Tinkerbell did a magic show. She also did some pretty cool face painting of which neither one of my children participated. I have no idea why. I do know, however, that Smart Flint Goldensword was seriously outnumbered:



I caught Izzy boozin' it up while Tinkerbell did her show:



Our family photo attempt at the Feehan's in 2010....


And our attempt in 2009 at the same home:


When we returned home, we sanded a tool box.

Summer Vacation -Day 4 - Mr. Nosey Makes Cookies

This is what I caught Smart Flint Goldensword doing to our neighbor this morning....



I'm not sure why he was spying on her or why the magnifying glass would help. It's not like she's some hot mama like me. Oh no, no, no. She's pushing seventy, chants in her garage and has a wandering eye. She also yells "duckie" in a VERY high-pitched voice several times throughout the day. She's hot alright.

Anyhooo, back inside, Baby Kenevil shows us her current favorite climbing area:



Since I was exhausted from yesterday's trip to the zoo, we hung out at home. I decided it was time for some cookies. Below, Smart Flint Goldensword "tastes" the sugar to make sure "it's ok for us to eat." He's all about sacrificing for the family:






Those cookies turned out scrumptious...crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside. Yummmmmmmy.

Since it's still smokin' hot up here, Izzy B had some fun with water.