…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.

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.

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

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!

Of 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! 

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. 

… 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!

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.

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!

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.

We came across a stick insect.

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

Teddy from Aunty Holly and family

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

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!

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!

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

From May right into busy June… our anniversary, my birthday, Father’s day, VBS and an extended cousins visit from Florida… oh and schooling and the first day of summer. If anything June is NEVER boring for this family.

We slipped some school in around the cousins, but for the most part this was a true summer break for the kids and school.

You never knew WHO was going to come to class… a princess, a batgirl… ever changing.

We pulled out the pool and dusted off the playset. With the cousins around there was lots to do around the house.

The boys were quick to settle down around the computers in the sub basement room.

Echo and I took advantage of the break from school and enjoyed the sun and quiet in the sunroom until the high point of the day when it was simply too warm to do so!

We managed to see our friends play soccer…

Go Evan!

Nathan watching his brother before HIS game

Go Nathan!

Found time for the beach…

Got to craft at a special Target event…

With the highlight of the cousin visit being a family trip to Mall of America for food AND rides in the amusement park! Thanks Nana and Baba!

Silly boys

Lego store too… of course!

Ken and I even snuck away to watch our god son (Anthony) play soccer.

With Aidan benched due to a bad concussion before school was out we made quite a few visits to their house for somewhat quiet, relaxed play.

Gavin and I went to one of Alex’s baseball games

and watched?

And somehow managed to sneak in a week of VBS with the church that runs the day care that Schwartz kids go to.

Party poppers

end of VBS dinner

We even had Aidan over for a sleepover.

The kids were enrolled in summer courses at the YMCA thanks to Nana and Baba. Zander took run club, Emanuel a cooking class, and Gavin and Trinity were in archery while miss Echo loved the daycare time.

Add to that the fun of preparing for an October wedding with my high school besty Shandai and I have to say… the most unusual month EVER! At least for this year.

SHAPE!

Tiny hats! Ready for the wedding

We fit in a second visit to the beach with the Schwartz boys and I even had a full sighting of the elusive “other cat” as Echo has termed her, while crafting with Renee.

And as the photos prove – I was never far from a crafting project. Sunshine and fresh air go best with crochet. I swear it!

There was a whole lot more to see… so be sure to follow on to the overflow post for the rest! Thank you for reminiscing with me, it was quite a month!

Well well, I had not posted this ON time, but I shall post it now… April 26 – Trinity turned 7! Where has the time gone? For her birthday, ON her birthDATE Trinity requested to spend it at Aunty Shandai’s creating pretty things for her wedding.

So Ken dropped us off at Shandai’s and we spent the day quietly there. With the inclusion of a new friend – the daughter of one of the other members of the wedding party.

Before that Aunty Renee took us on a girls’ day out fun day… we enjoyed Charming Charlie’s (HERE) where we tried on all sorts of fun accessories. Nana had given each of the girls 5.00 which was put to great use.

Aunty Renee had each of them pick out a pretty headband to purchase as well!

You can see Trinity’s headband in this one

We are at 5 Guys where we quickly realized burgers and hot dogs were way more than the girls needed… rather all they wanted was some fries and PEANUTS! Tons of free peanuts!

We ended our time out with decadent cupcakes! Talk about a perfect girls’ day out! Thanks Aunty Renee!!

Trinity assured me it was the BEST birthday month EVER! So I think we did well. But really, where has the time gone??