Out on the town

We spent some time running errands around town, so we decided to do a couple of mini-field trips.  We started with the orthodontist appointment, grabbed biscuits at Dairy Queen, and got the oil changed in the van.  Then, we headed up to Tower Mountain to see the fire tower.  The view from the top of the mountain is breathtaking.  It overlooks the lake that we had kayaked on a few weeks ago.  Then, I remembered that there was a science show happening at the library.  Caleb and Luke got to do an experiment where you add a little water to a film canister, drop in an alka-seltzer, quickly put on the cap, and watch it POP!  They also learned about centrifugal force where the placed a cup of water on a plate that was tied to a rope and then proceeded to swing it around in a circle.  The kids had to be careful not to drop the water as they slowed down, but they were amazed that the water stayed in the cup! 

It is going to be a busy summer.  They have already participated in a Vacation Bible School, and we have swim lessons, a 3 day practicum for Classical Conversations, two more weeks of VBS, and plenty of swimming at Grandma's community pool.

Look how big my kids are getting!

All my kids, nieces, and nephews!

Not very often that I can get them all in one place!

Stone Mountain with friends

Using our bring a friend passes with our Stone Mountain membership, we spent the day having fun with one of my friends and her three boys.  The first thing they wanted to do was the Sky Hike, a high ropes course.  So, Carrie went with six boys to do that while I entertained Thomas and Anna.  Then, the boys did the climbing wall.  We had a picnic, watched the 4D movie, played in the barn with all the balls, and explored the geyser playground.  The boys spent over an hour in the barn, and I took Thomas and Anna to ride the train around the mountain while Carrie stayed with them.  I left with Caleb, Thomas, and Anna while Carrie stayed and did the skylift with her boys and Joshua and Luke.  The kids were so exhausted on the way home that I had a nice quiet ride!

Ready to do Sky Hike

Luke and Anna on the low ropes.

Joshua and the other Luke climbing.

Stone Mountain from the train

Kayaking and Picnicing

A few weeks ago, we packed up some hot dogs and picnic supplies, the kayaks, and Papa's paddle boat.  We ventured to the local lake where we unloaded the boats.  We made a small caravan just around the lake a little and pulled up to the picnic area.  We could have just parked our vehicle at the picnic area, but it was fun to explore the lake.  Since we had the paddle boat, we were able to carry the picnic easily.  It was a beautiful evening to enjoy God's blessing in our neck of the woods.  

Luke turns 8!

Luke turned 8 and was so excited to hit this milestone.  At 8, he finally gets to go to the TrailLife meetings with Daddy and big brothers.  At 8, he is able to join the homeschool co-op, and we have him signed up for classes in the fall.  He has been sort of stuck in the middle with Joshua and Caleb doing these activities and Thomas and Anna having preschool and little kid stuff.  I am so happy for him to finally feel like he belongs.  He went to TrailLife the week he had his birthday and came home all smiles!

  Happy Birthday sweet boy!

He LOVES Lego!