Treehouses!

Sunday we took advantage of the beautiful day and went to see the Treehouse exhibit at Tyler Arboretum. Most were not traditional treehouses, but more artsy interpretations. The grounds are gorgeous and the trails were so nicely kept (easy for walking).

Above the kids posed on the tree frog exhibit (the tree above had bunches of frogs hanging from it, and there were about 5 frogs with different paintjobs underneath.
This sculpture was near one of the treehouses, which was actually a house for the tree, to aid in the wildlife that make it's home there.
We veered off the treehouse trail for a bit to take a look at a Lenape exhibit - and pose for a picture.
Poor Tim wasn't feeling well (fighting a cold) but insisted on carrying Kendyl.
We were quite entertained by the pond as there were tons of fish to watch, and most entertaining were 2 turtles on a log. A third turtle tried to join them, but rolled the log over, tipping the 2 turrles off, and getting the log for himself! One turtle then swam over to us and was quite friendly.
This treehouse was a bunch of hammocks in the trees (up above, and ones you could sit on). Andrew enjoyed his hammock ride!

Here we are at the top of Scared Silly - it was shaped as a pink elephant, and quite high!

This one was made with bells. Pulling the strings made music.

Today they had tree climbers that let the kids try a hand at climbing. Andrew picked up the technique quickly, and was at the top ringing the bell in no time.
Here is Steven concentrating on his way to the top. He made it with no help!!! Rang the bell, then posed for a picture - so proud.
Then we headed home (after stopping for ice cream of course).

Yeah!!!

The video worked!! Check it out in the post below!

Here are some adorable shots of K. Andrew cut the grass earlier today, so her legs are quite covered in clippings. Off to the bath she goes.........


K can climb all the way up the slide like a pro. Looks like we have a monkey on our hands.

Sharing my oops!

I wanted to take some photos of K with her playhouse and adorable outfit. I accidently started the video (we had just come from inside AC to the humid outside, hense the fog). Just playing and sharing. I'll try for more tomorrow (after I empty my memory card). Maybe I'll get all three munchkins.

Yummmmmmmmm.....Donuts!

The boys have been begging us for donuts for weeks. Finally Tim went to Suzy-Jo's this morning. We got a sugar raised for Kendyl which she so daintily started to eat, until she saw.........
The chocolate ones!!! So I gave her some of mine.

She enjoyed it way too much!!!! Looks like I have a chocolate girl on my hands.

I LOVE the picture below.

So proud!

As many of you know, the boys started a new school this week (due to redistricting). Only a very small percentage of kids from their "old" school were moving with them (thankfully they both had 1-2 great friends going with them). They have a new bus route, new driver, new school, new teachers, new students....all out of our control. Andrew doesn't usually do to well with new social situations....

Well...they have been fabulous! Not one complaint, one tear, one whine. They seem to be adjusting quite well. They are taking all of the changes in stride (it's amazing how different schools in the same district are). While we were ALL against this change, I think it will make them better people in the future. They have learned that change isn't bad, it's managable and may even be good. They are making more friends so that when they move to the middle school (next year for Andrew) they will know even more kids, and the change won't be quite as monumental as they already had to adjust this year.

It's funny, because as much as the boys have to adjust to this change, so do Tim and I. We are so used to knowing all their friends, most of the teachers and aides in the school, being able to walk around the school (after signing in) without question, knowing who to ask for what, etc. Well, we are starting at ground zero with the boys. There are only 2 teachers from their old school and very few friends. Guess I should attend the PTA meeting next week : ) and jump in again to try and learn the ropes. No, I will not be managing the yearbook, but I will volunteer to help. It's something I enjoy, and will be able to create better pages when I am not stressed and overworked. Steven is quite upset as I "make the best yearbooks ever" but I think he'll adjust.

I am still going to volunteer in some support capacity for school and may step up to help Tim a bit more with scouts. I keep complaining about certain things I want to see for Steven's den, guess I just need to make them happen! Honestly, I would take on a co-leadership role for his den, but I don't want to wear the dorky uniform - LOL. Sad, but true. So I'll do it unofficially. Plus I firmly believe that the Dad's really need to step up and make this a father/son activity. Tim has done more than step up, so with Steven's permission, I may be a bit more hands-on.

Andrew has graduated to Boy Scouts where parents don't participate much. Most is planned by the boys. Interesting. I think it will take a bit to get used to, but he is loving it so far.

Well, I just went off on several tangents from my original post, but you get the idea. I am so darn proud of my boys!

Sniff, sniff

Look who's 11 months old today! Only 1 month until the big 1!!! Where had the time gone?

This is not the best picture, but it's totally Kendyl. She loves her stuffed animals (especially Forky) and loves to play. Much more interesting than sitting pretty for Mommy. I took a few, but my battery was dying so I couldn't be too picky, and you know how much kids like to cooperate for a picture. She sat in the chair and played with him for awhile. Didn't want me to take him back inside. She finally decided her playhouse is more fun, and we left Forky on the chair. I'll have to try and get some playhouse pictures this weekend - she just loves it!

First Day of School

Tuesday, September 2The boys went back to school today! Andrew to 6th grade, and Steven to 3rd grade - wow! The both started at a new school (new to them) with a new bus driver, new teachers, new building and new friends, but both were excited (a bit nervous) and had a great day!