How is July almost over already? The days are just flying by!
How has your week been?
We got to see Austin Dillon's #3 car at our local Walmart. How cool is that?
We also went out for miniature golf with some good friends
Kiddo #4 and I even got some mom/daughter bowling time in. Gotta love the Kids Bowl Free program! :-)
And there's been the kids at Taekwondo and Kickboxing and for those of you in 4-H, you understand the frenzy of this time of year with getting projects and posters ready for the fair. Much going on! What happened to the lazy, hazy days of summer? lol.
Where did another week go? Seriously. It just flew by and is literally a whirlwind. :-) Summer is going by way.too.fast.
This week, much like the past few, Kiddos 2, 3 and 4 went to Taekwando almost every day and sometimes twice a day (morning and evening)! They are really dedicated and want to work hard on achieving their next belts. Since we will be away the end of August, they know that will be a lot of missed sessions, so they are trying to make it up ahead of time. :-)
There has also been lots of night swimming in their grandparents' pool:
Bike riding:
Lots of baking:
The very first cucumber was picked from the garden:
and a new gift for the cats' 3rd birthday
Our very first 4-H roundup is approaching quickly, so the kiddos have been diligently working on getting all of their projects done.
Next week, I will start making meals and getting out items to pack for the beach, all the while trying to plan for 4 kiddos for the next school year and finish all of the last minute odds and ends for the 4-H posters and projects. I definitely am going to need that ocean air to recuperate, lol! :-)
Whoever said the "lazy days of summer" doesn't know what they are talking about, lol. At least not for us here at the Home to 4 Kiddos.
It has been an absolute whirlwind. Something going on every day, to and fro, just madness, but fun madness, at least! :-)
Kiddos 2, 3 and 4 have been going to Taekwando upwards of 6 times a week. Yes, you read that right. Yes, we take them sometimes 2 times a day. No, we don't force them. Yes, they beg to go so they can be closer to testing for their next belts. Just that in and of itself is exhausting for everyone. :-)
Here are Kiddos 3 and 4 breaking their boards for their orange belt test. Kiddo 2 will be testing for yellow at this rate early next week.
There has been lots of baking,
swimming (kids),
cleaning and washing (mom) and a 4-H one day camp in cake decorating (Kiddo 4) in there as well. Is the cake beautiful? She did an awesome job. :-)
Our garden is growing well. Our tomatoes are starting to turn red, the peppers are getting large, the cucumbers are coming along, the basil's leaves are huge and the eggplant finally have flowers. (did I miss anything? Probably, but they are all doing well with much love and maintenance)
Oh, yes, how could I forget? Kiddo #1 is driving! Hubby and I have taken turns and have had him out driving everyday. I never thought I'd get driven around so much. Everytime I have to go somewhere, he offers to take me! :-)
Kiddos 2 and 3 have been busy with their YouTube videos. If you haven't seen them, click below. They took every photograph, uploaded them and music to PowerPoint and then did the conversion to video. They are only about 2-3 minutes long each. I bet your kids will really enjoy them. (at least I hope they will!)
Below is the first installment: Tiger vs. Lion
Here is the second installment: Hippo vs. Bullshark
Phew. Tired yet? I sure am. But, it is a good tired. The kids are happy, and this Mama is happy. Have a great weekend. God bless!
Last week while still on vacation, we visited the Cape May County Zoo. We try to get there every year. Believe it or not, the entrance fee is by donation only and it is well worth whatever you choose to give. The layout is SO unique. There are literally boardwalks over many of the animal exhibits, so you get to walk through and over their habitats! You have such a view and perspective as well as it being so very peaceful and beautiful.
Some very special "firsts" that we got to witness this year include: baby snow leopard cubs playing with their mom, a baby fawn basking in the sun, a snowy owl doing a peculiar dance around a tree, a lion literally roaring at us as he began to partake of his meat supper and the most amazing was that we got to witness a bison calf stand up for the first time! It was born that very morning and we were there as it stood on its feet! Wow! Absolutely amazing and awe-inspiring for sure.
Our vacation has come to an end. It was filled with much fun, love and laughter. As I type this, we are all wondering if we refuse to pack up and leave, that maybe we'd be able to stay just a little longer? lol. ;-)
This week, we have gone to the beach, pool, amusement rides, fishing, miniature golf, walks, went to the Zoo and Rainforest Cafe and made lots and lots of memories.
I will publish a separate post next week about our Zoo adventure (we were privileged to see a bison calf that was just born literally hours before stand for the first time and more!!!) Be sure to stop back and see the post. It was truly awesome! :-)
My posts this week included:
Try a New Recipe Tuesday. Come and see Kayla's Black Bean and Cheese Quesadillas and link up your favorite(s). :-)
Rainforest Cafe- what an amazing adventure! We were lucky to find one about 15 minutes from here. So.much.fun. :-)
Field Trip Friday- come and share your special outings with your family.
Here a few photos from the last few days:
While hubby and the boys went night fishing on Thursday evening, Kiddo #4 and I had some mom and daughter time, going in the arcade, taking some photos, having a water ice treat....It was much fun. Meanwhile, the boys caught 3 sharks with their dad! Never dull! :-)
Friday, our last day, we went to play miniature golf at a pirate-themed course, rode amusements, had ice cream at a 50s themed parlor and walked on the boards. It was a nice way to end our vacation.
