nature walk

We went to the park intending to just walk to the playgrounds and feed the ducks.  We spent so much time enjoying nature that we spent almost no time at the playgrounds.

Harrison loves to ride his scooter.

Leo was checking out what they put around trees to keep the beavers off and found a bug.

We walked to the nature center where there was a very friendly squirrel.  We threw him a grape which he gobbled up so we threw him a few more then left our wagon and went inside.  Imagine our surprise when we walked back out and saw the squirrel in our wagon!  Harrison wanted to see how close he could get to the squirrel and if it would eat out of his hand.  It almost worked!

 Then it was on to the bridge to feed the birds.

 Leo is giving it everything he's got to throw that bread. 

 We saw eight deer on our nature walk.  Two came up to us for food.  All we had left were graham crackers.

museum one more time

I feel like the end of August is designated as the "let's squeeze everything we can out of summer" week.  We decided to go to the museum one more before school starts, this time with Lizzie.

 I love these pictures of Leo tickling Grace.  A slap in the face is his signal to stop. 

splash pads

We go to the pool so much that we almost forgot about the splash pads around here. The boys didn't want to go and then I practically had to drag them away each time.  Grace hated them every time!  I guess it was just too much water spraying everywhere for her.

Poor Grace!  This is not her idea of fun!

We always bring buckets.  The boys love putting them over the fountains and watching them fly and filling them up to pour over themselves or others.

Finally, Grace warmed up to one of the small little squirters long enough for me to take this picture.

#225

This is what it looks like when you pass the swim test (which consists of swimming the length of the pool without stopping or touching and treading water for two minutes).  You have to pass in order to swim in the deep end and jump off the diving board.  Each kid gets a number when they pass.  Leo is #225.  He was able to swim the length of the pool last year but just couldn't tread water for so long.  We've been trying to teach him to tread but he didn't think he could do it.  Finally, yesterday one of our lifeguard friends taught him the correct way to tread and guess what?  He passed the swim test!  He is so proud and so are we!

 All he did was jump off the diving board for the next hour.

Way to go Leo!

little stinker

Well, if finally happened...

At fourteen months Grace pooped in the tub.

I knew that would happen sooner or later.  She waited a year longer than her brothers did to do it.  Another milestone down the drain.

last week

Last week we spent most mornings at the Bounce House and most afternoons at the pool.  In case you didn't notice, Leo is the one who is always wanting me to take videos and pictures of him doing "awesome things".   Harrison just likes to play.

pointing at one of the boys

fun at the pool

 I don't remember why Grace was clapping but she was happy about something.

 Lizzie and Grace were swimsuit twins.

 Harrison built a Lego ambulance with lights.
And finally, Grace's bedhead to pigtails morning.