Summer Fun June and July
We had a system for the pool… someone would walk down and check, and if there weren’t any other people there, we’d all jump into suits and go straight there so we could swim and still social distance. We got plenty of swimming fun!
We kept up the library fun all summer! Each of the kids picked a bunch from the list that our amazing librarian Shelly Duncan McCollum gave us, and here is the first batch. Maia says Pokko is the funniest book ever and that Saniyah needs the Just Right Goldilocks planet book Sanya Rene since she loves space. So far so good
More book talks!
Eric sent me this picture of Maia with the caption: “One hour after her first bath in a week.” She pointed out that this is how Rhinos bathe, so at least she’s learning things from her Wild Kratt’s marathon
Also, after reading Pokko yesterday, she decided she needed to be a frog and the best way to achieve this goal was with markers.
Today she wanted to be a box turtle. Ask her why they will never be endangered
We had some fun random art! Donovan saw me watching a crafting video on Facebook and wanted to try a comb painting technique. Maia made a galaxy unicorn and Serenity got to join a zoom photography class
Around July we started Mask practice Electonics +Mask was the plan. Whenever they were on the iPad, they wore masks too. We were ready for the chance to go to school in person!
Serenity’s birthday theme was Sloth Spa, and for my homework one day I made a KWL chart about sloths so my kids got to be my guinea pigs . I found an article on scholastic news about sloths and it was so much fun!!! Did you know sloths have sporting events? And a speedway? Donovan asked if we can do more charts. I love school!! Plus, My facebook algorithm figured out that I want to teach and I'm getting so many ads for school supplies!!! I love it! And one of my classes for next semester posted the syllabus (LIBM Advanced Materials for Children) and I get to read SO MANY BOOKS!!! Life is so good
Some parents, when their kids mispronounce words adorably, threaten anyone that might correct them. I don’t have to worry about that with Maia, because she will not listen to corrections. She is adamant. Her current word is sarcasm. Pronounced sarCASM, emphasis on the second syllable. “You three are using sarCASM. I can tell when you’re using sarcasm you know.” . Yay for recognizing sarcasm! It’s an important skill in this family
We took random fancy pictures… and I can’t remember why. Maybe I did Serenity’s hair that day and Maia and Eric decided to join in? Anyway, this little grin and looking away from the camera is totally Maia =)
I posted a request to Facebook to see if 40 was too late to learn to use eye makeup. Since masks, you know, cover up lipstick which is my usual make up item. I got a crazy amount of responses! I Experimented with eye makeup that’s older than my children. Actually, I’m pretty sure Mimi bought it for me before I moved to California... so I don’t own an eyeliner or mascara and could possibly use an eyeshadow made in this decade . Thanks to Melissa I got some new eyeliner and an eyeshadow palette. Marilyn sent me some fun eyeliner and other goodies so I got to play. Donovan said I look like I had two black eyes and Maia said I look like a singer because they wear black eye makeup . I may require a few more YouTube videos
I posted several lovely awkward pictures like this =) A makeup blogger I will never be ;)
Maia got to build a birdhouse with Papa Jess Bair!! And she wore her mask the whole time. . Then when they hung it we noticed a fence post had rotted and the fence was leaning so she got to learn how to mix cement. . Thanks Dad!!
Maia was reading over my shoulder as I was scrolling through my feed. She asked what “smash the patriarchy” meant and when I explained she shrugged and said “I’m amenable to that.”
ice ice baby =) I bought Maia sonic sized ice cube trays so she might chew a little more gently.
We got in on the pandemic sidewalk chalk craze! That stuff was harder to find than toilet paper this month!
Wild for Wild Kratts =) Papa got Maia the Tortuga!
Legendary! They all like this game, Maia plays it with Eric a LOT!
Social Distance Picnics at Papa’s house! He got them bubble wands and always has fruit for them.
Quarantine drive by visits, including robot arm delivery of gifts =) The kids LOVE that robot grabber that I got at the Target dollar bin, we’ve had it since Donovan’s Paw Patrol birthday years ago, and it’s probably the toy I pick up the most often!
Donovan played Zoom DND with Evan and with Hatcher. He loves it!
Rails and Sails! =) Donovan’s present from Ann and John =)
The kids went through another Animal Jam phase, and actually spent their own money on a few Animal Jam subscription boxes. Super cute!
We miss having the Martins live with us, but greenbelt picnics are a blast!!
Maia likes cooking! She made pies with me this summer, and Rice Krispie treats for Daddy. And she asks to try making new to us dishes like fried rice!
The kids love biking with Daddy! Serenity, DZ and Eric even rode all the way to the Moore’s house several times!
Our favorite snow cone place had a sugar free option DZ loves! We bought sugar free syrup to have at home too just in case though. We’re glad he can still have this treat sometimes! =)
DZ asked for a special bike ride with Eric to the AMC parking lot =)
Serenity’s favorite birthday present from Aunt Jen, a series of books with little presents to open as you read! Jennifer remains the Queen of all Shoppers. =)
After the fox cake, I turned Maia loose with the leftover fondant from the Nailed It! Sloth Edition. Here’s how that turned out:
Escape Room!
After months of quarantine, Eric feels a need to announce any time he puts on real pants.
