Tag Archive | pool

Remembering August Through Images…

…because man do I barely remember the details! August is a special month with Miss Echo’s birthday and the tail end of summer vacation for “others”. As usual we did NOT have a full on summer vacation. I find that when we take a large chunk of time fully off our learning we lose too much without the repetition. So instead I do a lighter schedule with many more days off for fun in the sun.IMAG0477

So, let’s see if I can match some words to the images! Well, first off… beginning of the month means Home Depot craft. I really hope if any of you have kids ages 5-12 you have them going to this… it is free and totally worth it. August was the last month of just the 4 kids going. I wanted to wait until Echo actually WAS 5. Anyway, August was chalkboards.DSCN0840

We had a bit of a harvest in the garden in August… rather humble these beginnings.DSCN0841

Of course we continued swimming. The instructors and lifeguards at out local YMCA are the best. We are so spoiled by Nana and Baba and their continuing gift of the membership. We could live there!

DSCN0842Of course August, sunshine, Minnesota… lakes… so we had to continue our beach trips. We went a couple times and lucked out with Renee and the boys joining us! DSCN0859

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We found plenty of time for Wild Kratts episodes. I don’t know that we will EVER tire of this, though I REALLY need to get a table of contents listing the critters we have covered since we tend to watch them out of order. DSCN0852

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… well you get the idea… I am sure there will be a couple others in the overflow blog entry!

We spent a lot of time in the yard in the sunshine (or in my case in the shade). I don’t know what we would do without an inflatable pool, some toys and my sewing. Together time can be so perfect even on a shoestring budget!DSCN0854

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The girls even joined me at Caribou for coffee while Ken had a meet up there. Coffee time means the boys get their computer time (IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY GASP) and the girls get a special occasion… all while covering an appointment for Ken. Win win.DSCN0857

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We did still find time for regular school of course, AND adding Miss Echo more and more. It is exciting and a wee bit overwhelming to have a full classroom.

Book Report!

Book Report!

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We also helped a poor little bird who was stuck on the trailer in the front yard… the kids and I had to tip it up so the poor thing would hop out the back and join its frantic momma.DSCN0874

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We came across a stick insect.DSCN0918

And of course, importantly, celebrated a birthday! HERE Number 5!

Teddy from Aunty Holly and family

Teddy from Aunty Holly and family

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Gavin found time to have Aunty Renee teach him how to crochet. Apparently right handed Gavin was frustrated with left handed Mommy.DSCN0951

I managed some time with the bride to be Shandai at her house. Which of course was crafting time and, almost more importantly, KITTY time!DSCN0966

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Add to all this… a guest! CANADIAN and everything. Jeff Davey came down for his yearly visit. It is always lovely to have company from home. And doubly so for Ken to have someone who understands him so well!DSCN0960

it was a good month. And, as I got started writing this, surprisingly more memorable than I expected! DSCN0948

Just A Glimpse More of July

You can see the original post HERE, but I had overflow of the fun… duh! When do I not? Oh well, enjoy the look back at our summer of 2015 (that just does not roll of the tongue like the summer of ’69).DSCN0836

Golden Bamboo Lemur

Golden Bamboo Lemur

Sifaka Lemur

Sifaka Lemur

Madagascar. Thank you Wild Kratts for being AWESOME

Madagascar. Thank you Wild Kratts for being AWESOME

Hanging with the Novak boys

Hanging with the Novak boys

Lucky library finds from their rack of books no longer in circulation.

Lucky library finds from their rack of books no longer in circulation.

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Jeffrey!

Jeffrey!

Emanuel and Zander

Emanuel and Zander

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Snoopy!

Snoopy!

the beginning of the rest of Alex's birthday

the beginning of the rest of Alex’s birthday

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more of Aidan's birthday

more of Aidan’s birthday

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And now for the ones off the cell phone!

Making Donuts with Nana!

Making Donuts with Nana!

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Goofing around at the Novak's

Goofing around at the Novak’s

Look who got their bracelet to access all pools!

Look who got their bracelet to access all pools!

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Emanuel's third place Fair winner

Emanuel’s third place Fair winner

Trying on Baba's old uniform jacket

Trying on Baba’s old uniform jacket

IMG_20150731_152032IMAG0309And now for my two favourites from the month!DSCN0803

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July Long Past

Well, my goal of making my blog up to date BEFORE the end of January was a bit of a miss! But, amazingly enough, I have posted more than 2000 blog posts since I began this site! What a stretch! But then again, I have enjoyed pretty much every addition to it.

Now that I have posted June it is time to look at July… Canada Day, Independence Day… we manage both sides of the coin this month. You can see our Canada Day finery HERE and Independence Day HERE. We were spoiled with also spending a portion of cousin Gabbi’s birthday with her since it too is on July 4th and their vacation had stretched to meet the date.DSCN0723DSCN0538

We had amazing Pad Thai dinner with the Schwartz family… which also included time with the always entertaining Mystro (cue Echo asking ONCE AGAIN when we will get a cat, even the pictures set her off lately!).DSCN0562

DSCN0561DSCN0556We had an awesome time at Aidan’s Lego themed birthday party. Darcy went all out with the theme and Emanuel was over the moon to see at least one of his scouting buddies when they were not in session.DSCN0569

DSCN0571DSCN0588I wish I had the talent Darcy has with cakes. I am honestly more of a go to Target and order a cake kinda girl lately.DSCN0564

July was also when Grandpa Mike made his bike trip up through Minnesota. We got a whole afternoon/evening with him (minus swimming lessons). The kids were over the moon with the visit.DSCN0712

On the phone with Grandma

On the phone with Grandma

Showing him the nearby park (Echo was napping)

Showing him the nearby park (Echo was napping)

He even took us out to Wendy’s for dinner! It was the longest we ever sat there and one of the most enjoyable ever.DSCN0717

DSCN0718Sadly he had to bike on earlier than expected the next day when he got news of a need to visit family up in Ontario. But it was a good visit and the kids still remember it fondly.DSCN0721

We had plenty of time for learning and school in July with cousins back home and the weather rather fine.

Gavin is working on his art skills

Gavin is working on his art skills

Wild Kratts: fossa

Wild Kratts: fossa

DSCN0725DSCN0724Miss Echo was a laugh and a half most of the time.DSCN0731

DSCN0751But we made LOTS of time for the pool. And in turn my sewing time. After all, sunshine, warm weather and a pool in the yard… why stay inside?DSCN0748

DSCN0839Towards the end of July we were able to also make it to Alex’s birthday. Another awesome day, though we had to leave early to make it to YMCA lessons (did I ever get a lecture from the kids for that one!).DSCN0770

DSCN0766DSCN0797We lucked out with weather and free time and managed to meet up with the Novaks at one of their local splash pads. It is easier each year to go out and just relax, what with the older Novak boys and our own kids being older. A lot less micro managing. It is nice!DSCN0825

DSCN0829DSCN0831Multiple visits with the Novaks and the Schwartz family were experienced in July. Poor Trinity, so many boys!!!DSCN0761

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Extra bonus – visit with Alicia and Cousin Robbie. She is off to university in the fall!!DSCN0832

We rounded out the month with swimming lessons. I am so pleased with how well all of our kids are doing. We are going to end up with little fishes very soon!!!DSCN0842

And of course continued our archery, cooking and running classes at the YMCA thanks to Nana and Baba!DSCN0808

DSCN0807So really July was an exercise in making the most of fun in the sun! We didn’t do half bad did we???DSCN0837

This entry was posted on 09/03/2016, in Uncategorized. 1 Comment