Tug boat fun

A few days ago, we surprised the kids with a baby pool/sandbox that is shaped tlike a tug boat (and apparently named Tuggy). Since we already have the (now empty) turtle sandbox, it is their pool. The kids were so excited when they saw it and climbed in to play before it even had water in it. Once they found out that it was going to be filled with water, they were begging to put on their bathing suits! We ended up letting them just hop in with their regular clothes since Pudge decided to climb in "to feel the water" while were filling it. 

Making it a wave pool

It's the perfect size for them since it can fit all three and still have some moving room. There is also a little ledge on the back which they've been using as their seat to "fish" from. There have been a few fights over who gets to steer the ship with the steering wheel but mostly it's been splashing and laughing.

There's also a heavy lid that snaps into place (so they can't take it off) which was a big selling point to me. The kids like it because when the lid is on, the can sit on it and it still use the steering wheel to pretend that they are on their boat.

The only downside is that they start asking to go swimming in their pool from 7am! Yesterday, the younger kids spent almost 2 hours splashing around in the morning while Little Bear was at camp and then Little Bear wanted to get in as soon as he got home.

Pudge holding up a mini bubbles container and yelling "The best water in the world!"

Evening park trips

Last night we took the kids to one of the parks. We had planned to go for a run and then let the kids play but the running path was closed for a bike race. So, the younger kids played in the sand box 

while Papa helped Little Bear learn to ride his bike. By the end, he was doing great on his own. A little more practice and he'll be riding around the big track in no time!

Once they were done, Little Bear wanted to play in the sandbox for a little bit as well. So he took an exercice break and searched for dinosaur bones for a little bit. 

Then we decided to go for a jog on one of the nature trails. It turned out to be a walk because it was a muddy mess and the parts that have wood paths were too slippery to run on (there was some sliding and Little Bear fell once before we decided to just walk). We didn't end up going too far because it was getting late and Little Bear's last day of school was today but we had a lot of fun anyways.

Bubbles!

Summer is almost here!

It was beautiful outside today so we spent as much of it outside as possible. After dropping Little Bear at school, the younger kids and I went for a walk around the neighborhood to watch the garbage trucks again. Then we hooked up the new sprinkler (an octopus which swings it's arms around while it sprays water) and the kids (and I with their help) cooled off with it. 

One of our neighbor friends came outside with her little one and we chatted for a little bit while Pudge and Pequeño continued to play in the sprinklers. 

Then we went in the house for lunch, a change of clothes, and a quick rest before heading to drop a few baby items off at a friends house, stopping at Wendy's for junior frosties (and fries for Pequeño)

and then to the giant sandbox.

We stayed until it was time to pick up Little Bear from school. Once we picked him up, we went straight to one of the libraries (we still frequent the one that is closer to where we used to live since it's not too far) to return and checkout a few books. 

Little Bear asked the first librarian that he saw where the children's archeology or astrology were and left the little ones and I to find their books as he followed her. 

They each picked out a few and played for a little bit with the puzzles and toys in the kids area before it was time to go. 

We spent the evening playing outside and looking at some of their books on the deck. 

Since Pequeño is the only one who actually slept at all during the day, I'm hoping that they'll all sleep well tonight.

It's days like today that have us all so excited that summer will soon be here! We've been setting up our homeschool/vacations/weekly schedules and summer bucket list and I think that I'm just as excited as the kids.

Father's Day

Papa was home for Father's Day so we were able to celebrate together!

Each of the boys had made a special card or gift at school and at home for him. Little Bear's gift included grilling sauce which he is looking forward to using soon. 

We let Papa sleep in and when he woke up (around 11) we had breakfast ready for him in bed. Then he came downstairs and the kids gave him his gifts (Little Bear had already given him the sauce when he brought it home from school but he had other things that he had made for him including a Lego police station.)

We relaxed at the house for a little while and then headed to Red Robin for a late lunch/early dinner. Pudge had us all laughing with his decision to put everything that he could on his burger. Hamburger, fries, grilled chicken, ketchup. 

Then we went to the movies to see How To Train Your Dragon 2. We were worried that Pequeño wouldn't want to watch the whole movie (which he didn't but he was quiet and played in his seat and slept for the entire thing). The older kids were excited to get their own little popcorn and icees. The movie was really good and everyone was glad that we had decided to go.

Afterwards, we went to get frozen yogurt (they also offer dairy free ones that Little Bear and Pequeño can eat so it's a great treat for everyone). We let the kids pick their toppings (within reason because Pudge wanted EVERYTHING) and then sat and enjoyed them outside.

Pequeño got pink lemonade with rainbow sprinkles.

Pudge got Twix frozen yogurt with m&m's, andes peppermints, sprinkles, nuts and maybe something else (Papa made his)

Little Bear got Pink Lemonade with sprinkles and M&M's

Mine was Twix with Reese's Pieces 

Papa had mixed a bunch of flavor a and toppings together for his. (I think Pudge takes after him with his food choices!)

Then we went to Barnes & Noble to look around. The kids played with the train table and looked for their favorite books. Little Bear saw a friends from school so we stopped and chatted with him and his mom for a little bit. They each used their own money to get something that they wanted. Little Bear chose a Geronimo Stilton junior reporter notebook which came with a pencil that has a cheese shaped eraser, Pudge bought a How To Train Your Dragon 2 game, and Pequeño got a stuffed puppy (which he refuses to give up even to pay for it).

After that we went home and played Pudge's new game which was a lot of fun and then went to bed.

Cardboard octopus

The kids wanted to make  something today so we pulled a few of the small  cardboard rolls (from toilet paper) out of our craft closet and made an easy craft while Pequeño napped. The kids each colored the rolls as much as they wanted and then picked out eyes for their octopus. After Little Bear chose to use little pom-poms for eyes (instead of the various googly ones that I had set out), Pudge wanted them as well (in fact he had to have the same color too.) Then they rubbed glue sticks all over the rolls and rolled them on a tray that had a little bit of glitter on it. Next, we put the eyes on with the glue. After that, We cut the bottom so that they would have 8 legs and bent them so they would stand.

Little Bear and I have made this a few times before but I think that it was Pudge's first time. Little Bear plans to give his to his teacher tomorrow (which is her last day before maternity leave) and Pudge says that his is for Daddy for Father's Day.

More cabin fun

More cabin getaway pictures

Blueberry pancakes on the griddle. 

Getting ready for a morning boat ride

Morning fishing with Papa

Watching the birds while Mama cleaned up breakfast.

See the fish ?

Helping Grandma plant flowers

They did five or six of these I think.

Then went searching for crawfish. They found a few.

And let them go.

And of course,  there was a lot more fishing.