Lots of Play

Yesterday Gavin finished all his Pennsylania work for his notebook, finding pictures of Pennsylvania history, animals and fun things to do (which all were pictures of fishing and boating for some reason).  We finished our chapter book about John James Audubon and read about coal mining and how coal is formed underground.

On Monday we will start on the third state, New Jersey!

We also ate Dad's Father's Day cupcakes.  They are supposed to look like hot dogs on the grill and I was supposed to put orange sprinkles on them for the embers.  Unfortunately, I couldn't find orange sprinkles at the store and all I had at home was purple sprinkles so they looked more Halloween then grill.

They tasted good regardless!

Today we had both of the girls so we had a day with lots of playing...here are some pictures:

Happy Father's Day

I hope everyone enjoyed their Father's Day today.  We kept it low key.  Last year we took Dad on a picnic so of course that's what Gavin wanted to do this year too.  So, that's what we did.  Maybe I can convince him to try something else next year.  The day started off like any other with church this morning.  The kids were supposed to wear their Vacation Bible School t-shirts which is why Gavin is wearing a t-shirt...normally he looks a little nicer for church.  We did have apple cinnamon muffins, that was special!

Then we had lunch and let the babies have their nap.  Gavin watched Brazil play the Ivory Coast in the World Cup.  Then we got our picnic ready and went to the park.  Nothing fancy, just a baguette with goat cheese (from the goat farm we went to on our field trip), cheese, grapes, blueberries, watermelon, cherry tomatoes, carrot sticks and pepperoni.  It was good though and nice because it was hot outside although I didn't think it was that bad in the shade.  The bank said 97 degrees when we were on our way home but I don't think it was that hot.  As always, Austin was ready to eat as soon as I set down the picnic basket.

Finally, Gavin told Dad he could open his present.  First the card, which Gavin had to read for him.

It's says 'World's Greatest Dad' in case you can't see it.  Then the present...

...which Gavin had to explain to him.

Gavin painted the frame and the letters almost completely by himself.  He also picked out the colors and told me where to glue the fish (I used gorilla glue so I wouldn't let him glue them on...plus there's a hook).

Then it was back to the creek for some water fun!  I got this sailboat a couple years ago on clearance and have been waiting for the perfect time to get it out.  Today was the day!  Gavin thought it was neat and took his job as captain very seriously!

The little ones had fun throwing rocks in the water, as always.  I'm not sure what the fascination is, but I think they could throw rocks all day if I let them.

And, Dad found a crayfish in the water, or what was left of it after something ate it.  Kind of gross, but we had fun examining it.

We made cupcakes too but by the time we got home it was too late to eat them.  I'll try to remember to take a picture tomorrow to post.  They are grill cupcakes with little hot dogs on them.

More Soccer!

I had thought that a week of soccer might turn Gavin off to the game, but it seems to be having the opposite effect.  Today was his last practice and he told me on his way home he wanted to come back every summer.  There is another session in July so I guess I'll have to sign him up for that one too!

Anyway, Austin has discovered the barn.  I noticed the last couple of times we've gone to the library (we go regularly) he enjoyed playing with their barn and animals so I brought our barn and animals up from the basement.  He's been playing with it a lot, with the help of his big brother of course!

Sometimes Austin loses his pants.  Usually it's because he's wiggling too much when I try to change him so I just let him go instead of trying to hold him down and put on his pants.

Gavin and I are still in Pennsylvania.  We have two chapters left of Ben Franklin.  We also read a great book about Rachel Carson yesterday.  We haven't done much work in our notebook this week but we did get a couple things done yesterday.  Gavin found a picture of a pretty place in Pennsylvania to add.

While the kids were napping Gavin trimmed the branches on the one tree we have in our yard.

When the babies got up we all went outside to play.

Then we came back inside...it was really hot.  Austin is trying to ride on his push toys but is having a little trouble getting on them.  If I try to help he just gets off and tries to do it himself again.

Here are some pictures of Gavin's soccer camp from yesterday.  FYI - He's worn the USA jersey all week but don't worry, I've been washing it!  It's his USA soccer jersey and he has to wear it to play soccer.

Austin is required to put his pants back on when we leave the house...wiggling or not!

Austin kept trying to brush his hair but it was very tricky with a hat on!

Yesterday Gavin also had is weekly soccer class in the morning.  When he got there he promptly went up to his soccer coach and told him that he was going to soccer camp where 'real' soccer players were teaching him.  He is all about playing with the college kids.  Luckily, his coach didn't take it too personally.

Today Austin worked on stacking.  Austin got this for Christmas and I thought it would still be too hard for him because it's so small but he did a great job!

Then he discovered he could put the round pieces on the edge and spin them around and that was very exciting!

We also finished Dad's Father's Day present today.  Then Gavin and I put together a puzzle.

Along with the barn, Austin also discovered the tractor!  This morning he was standing in the middle of the living room and the tractor was in front of him.  He reached down and pushed the tractor across the living room, still on his feet, and then stood back up without dropping to his knees once.  Why isn't he walking yet?

Tonight it was more soccer!

Gavin was the goalie in that last picture!  I think the babies and I are about soccered out even if Gavin isn't!