Happy Friday!

 Tonight we're having fish and chips in honor of the Olympics (the topic of this week's post at Metro Family!)

 This morning Jay was on a local talk show to talk about allergies.

 The kids thought this was really cool.

Not really related to Friday, but Jack made this sheet tent this week and tried to get Alice to sleep in it with him.  She lasted about two minutes, but he has slept in it several nights.

It's super hot and we've got a busy weekend.  I hope your Friday is fabulous!

Odds and Ends

 I haven't blogged much in the last few weeks because we've had so much going on.  Jay started a new job, I'm getting some things ready for a baby shower, trying to plan school things and get some writing done, and on and on...So here are a few pictures!  

 

 One of my friends got married in Hawaii last month and she had her reception at the zoo on her one month anniversary.  She had a HUGE candy bar that the kids loved.  They also got to ride a golf cart there instead of walking, so they thought it was great.

 Dancing!

 I tried to explain to the kids that not all wedding receptions will be like that, but I don't think they're convinced.  They'll probably be pretty disappointed at the next one they attend!

 Alice in her new owl hat!

 When Alice takes a nap she stays up late, so one night I decided to take the kids to the park since we wouldn't be going to bed anytime soon!

 This just made me laugh!

And so did this one!

I hope you're having a great July!

More Presidential Fun

 We're still chugging along with our President of the Week!  I came across this book when we studied Theodore Roosevelt.  We didn't really use it much because it's geared toward a little bit older kids and we're not going into that much depth right now, but I have it on my list for later.  It has a pretty good biography and some fun activities, too!

 This book is about William Howard Taft, who loved all kinds of food!  I happened across this a while ago at our used bookstore and it was really cute.

 We're also still trying out the favorite foods of the presidents.  Usually there is something listed we are willing to try, but sometimes I have to get creative.  The only thing listed for Taft was turtle soup, and needless to say, I wasn't going to attempt that!

Instead, I made this cute turtle bread (with Alice's help!) and we had regular chicken noodle soup with it.  It was really easy--though we needed to poke the eyes in a little deeper, apparently!

Mom and Son Luau

 Last night was the Mom and Son Luau at our community center pool.  This was the first time we've gone and we had a great time!

 We met my sister and my nephew at Sonic for dinner.  Jack was concerned that the seating area was so small, but I told him I didn't think there would be a big rush for seats since it was 107 degrees.

 Then it was time to swim!

 This was Jack's favorite thing!  You have to be a certain height and last year he wasn't tall enough.

 He went up those stairs so many times he asked for Tylenol for his legs at bedtime.

 Limbo!

 

 We finished up with Cherry Berry!

While we were out, Jay and Alice went out to dinner (shrimp, riblets, chips and spicy cheese, and an ice cream cookie sundae, she tells me!) and then came home and danced and read books.  She was looking forward to her night with Daddy all week and she wasn't disappointed!

Planning Time!

Although July seems to be dragging on forever (funny how a few days of 100+ degree days will do that!), August will be here soon.  I have a lot of planning to do, but so far most of my progress has been on our artist studies.  Head on over to Metro Family to read more!

Lego Learning

 As you may have heard, we love Legos!  This week's post at Metro Family is all about learning with Legos.

 Jack and some of his recent Lego scenes.

 Each week when we learn about a new president, we read one of the Getting to Know... books.  They have funny cartoons that Jack loves and one day he decided to recreate some of them with his Legos--like this one of Grover Cleveland returning to the White House after four years away.

 George Washington crossing the Delaware

 James Madison--since he was short, Jack used his little minifigure legs.

This is Thomas Jefferson--I can't recall the picture, but Jack says that he had a sack of seeds, which is what the backpack with the yellow discs is for.

 

William Howard Taft and his huge bathtub

Ulysses S. Grant and one of his unsavory friends

Now that Jack has amassed quite a collection of minifigures he can build just about anything--or anyone!

Staying Cool

 Perhaps by titling this post as I did I'm giving the impression that I've come up with a solution.  I haven't.

 My kids have had tan lines since early May from playing in the back yard.

 We were super excited when the splash pads opened!

 We've cooled down a bit this week, but it's really like baking in a 350* oven as opposed to a 425* one.

 One night we even caught a magic show at the park!

 Cool treats help, but this Dora thing was awful.

 Jack loves snow cones!

 And of course, there's always swimming!

Perhaps not the best read while it's so hot, but I just finished this book.  Not the best I've ever read, but pretty interesting.

I hope you're staying cool!

Museum Scavenger Hunt

 Now that we're not doing formal school and I'm not regularly posting on Fridays, I forget to tell you about my posts over at Metro Family!

 This week's post was about museum scavenger hunts.

 This is a fun and simple activity for kids of all ages.

 Jack chose this picture as an example of a celebration because he thought it looked like a parade.

I'm so glad Philbrook allows photography!

And speaking of posts I forgot to tell you about, check out my latest book review at the Homeschool Share Blog!

The 4th of July

 There were a lot of fireworks.  A lot.

 Before they started, the little kids jumped.

 And drew.

 And the bigger kids blew things up.

 "Hmmm...What should I blow up next?"

 Alice learned how to light the "fire bombs" and run.

 She also liked the sparklers.

I don't have the photography skills to show you how many there were, but they lasted until the 11:00 cut-off time!

I hope you had a great 4th!