Random Summer Fun

This past week has been so relaxing!  We have had very few commitments and have just enjoying being together. 

The beginning part of the week was rainy, so the kids organized/sorted their rooms.  The end of the week was sunny and beautiful and we went to the zoo, had a play date to the splash pad with our cousins, and had two play dates with different families that have kids the same age as all three of our kids ages.

 We have tried to make "reading-writing" time a priority each afternoon, and it has turned into one of my favorite parts of the day, because I get one-on-one time with each kid reading to me or practicing something relevant to reading/writing.

 Another goal for summertime for me is to teach the kids more independent kitchen skills, because I can take the time to teach them things when we are not on such a tight schedule.  This week all three kids made and cleaned up their own breakfasts, doing age appropriate skills.  For dinner this week the kids picked to make meatballs.  They were delicious!

Finally, we have made our Bible time even more of a priority.  I continue my individual morning devotions with each kid when they wake up, but with the ability to have later bedtimes, have truly enjoyed special evening devotions with the older two after Larkyn is in bed.  (Thanks to my cousin Alison for the great devotional suggestion: Foundations for Kids: A 260-day Bible Reading Plan for Kids).  Both kids love it!  It has been fun to see Colton grow in his ability to look up verses on his own and read the Bible to us, as well as have time to have good discussions with each of the kids as they naturally occur.

The kids had fun doing an experiment with Grandpa on electrical circuits and cooking a hotdog with electricity.

We have been getting TONS of strawberries this year and all three kids (but especially Larkyn!) love to pick and eat them!

One day's picking

Flowers for Mom from one of our pretty bushes!

Sibling Sleepover

making super hero gear from leftover screen

Love these two

Colton finished up his soccer season this week

His coaches were FANTASTIC!

 My friend Kim took these cute picture of the kids while we were watching her sons' soccer game.  I love them!

 I have loved this past week of "chill" time with my kids so much!  We're gearing up for VBS each morning next week!