Echo is still trying to get her mouth around Independence Day… so often it is America Day. And ours was on the relaxing side. We actually had a bit of a celebration the day before with the Schwartz family. Full on fun – a pool, bouncy house AND we made poutine.

Ken and I brought some Molson Canadian to further meld the two holidays together. And Renee had the kids make ice cream.

Of course we started with photos on the 4th.

Note ZANDER is in WHITE

Gavin and Zander

Then… making of the snacks we were taking to our homeschool buds’ for dinner. (don’t forget making the kids clean while they waited for our leave time)

Our fun was on the relaxing side. Aimee had water balloons.

And then there was the mini firework type fun.

Throw in computers and toys and we rarely saw the kids.

Shucking corn

We were done and dusted and in bed only a little after normal bedtime. PERFECT!

So a belated HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY to all who celebrated. Our day was a calm one, just how we like it!

July 8-9

After so much fun and Nana and Baba returning in mere days I decided to call it and give the kids one whole week off! Well, once we planted our seeds of course. Two different kinds of green beans with cups and papertowels… we followed the basic instructions from Instructables HERE. The twins are jointly weekly recording and Trinity and Emanuel are putting their observations in the nature journals.

Out came the Play Doh…

Gavin

And then with the now firmly installed slide, a rash of screaming, laughing and fast sliding!

No fear!

We had the perfect weather to take out our alternative to the traditional water balloons. We used the instructions by the website How Does She? HERE. We did have to attempt regular sponge sponges when we couldn’t get to Dollar Tree before Aidan’s birthday party but I am  telling you now, not cool! The best is what they list on the site – plastic sponges from Dollar Tree. We bought 6 packages and I ended up with 29 due to sacrificing two for the paper making. They leave no plastic pieces on the lawn to collect, and all you need is a bucket with water. Echo didn’t even mind getting hit in moderation! Sponges were 1.00 for 10 and the elastics 1.00 or so as well and I have well over 3/4 of a bag of those left!!!

Add water…

Our sponges

What is better after a good waterfight in the sunshine than big glasses of lemonade???

We gave the potty and some juice in front of the tv a try… still no real results sadly. BUT we talk about our potty usage constantly. My goal is to give it a real push in September when we are once again living solo.

Of course it is the perfect time to have a tea party.

Picnic…

AND tea party

And end the evening with a lovely LATE dinner with the newest season of Futurama and some lovely Chinese food… just the two of us!!

Not a bad end to our two weeks without Nana and Baba!