Water Water Everywhere!

 On Monday night we decided to go for a bike ride.  

 

We desperately needed to get out of the house, 

it had been raining/yucky for days.  

 

We got on our bikes and took the long way 

to one of our favorite parks.

What we found there was Spectacular Splashy Fun!

The recent rain had flooded an outdoor ice rink 

and now there was about 3 deep puddles 

along the edges.

 

They biked and ran and slipped and giggled for over an hour.  

 

Only stopping when a super fun dog showed up and 

they wanted to watch him exercise with his owner.

We had so much fun before the rain started again!!

Camping again!

 We love tanner camp and June was a great time to 

spend a bunch of days there.

Our sprawling site looked like we might stay forever.

If it had been up to this girl we would have.

The kids were getting used to thinking about home school 

and being out at the lake gave us some time to think about 

what we really valued as a family, 

and give the kids plenty of opportunity to share 

what they wanted to be the same and different too.

They had some really great Ideas!! 

I can't wait to share them.

Ms. E's Candy Adventures

 One of the things Ms. E is really interested in is candy.

This is a stretch for me too, candy is not my specialty!

But we tried some new things in June.

And We learned things along the way!

 

First up was Stretch Candy.

We were a little eager with the stretch candy so,

 it didn't really get to the right ball stage 

but we had fun trying!

 

Then Chocolate Apples

 

Sooooo Yummy looking!

A little hard to eat and the milk chocolate took a long time to harden again.

Kiddo's were eager for sprinkles and found it really hard to wait.

I'm proud of the self directed ideas that Ms. E chooses.

even when they stretch my own skill set!

Toilet Training

 Ok so there's a ton of things I could say about this.

So here's my short soap box.

After Five Kids I've only learned 2 things.

#1 Wait!!! For the love of all that you 
hold close to your heart, wait!  

Don't read a book or a blog, or listen to someone who 

you probably don't even like, or someone who

 doesn't even like you, don't listen to your husband,

 and definitely disregard your mother in law 

and even your own mother if you are feeling pressure.  

Wait till they are pretty much asking for the potty.  

I'm not a pro and my experience isn't tear free 

but the last two we waited till they were 

almost three and it was an 

amazing difference!!!

#2 I'm just glad to be done!  

I never want to go through that again.  

I hear about Grandmas who are all in on 

their Grandchilds toilet training.  

I will probably not be that Grandma . . .  and 

because I wrote it down I'll probably 

prove myself wrong. haha.  

But seriously I really never want to clean up 

someone elses poop again.  

Off me, off my carpet, clothes, linens, chairs, car seats, 

tile, laminate, counter top, hair, tub, or older siblings.  

I never want to go through this again.

I'm Pretty positive that Shane paid for Dairy Queen ice cream 

when we were positive that she was self contained.  

If you don't like ice cream by all means buy yourself a cute purse,

one without pockets for diapers, wipes, cream, and extra clothes!!

However you celebrate just make sure you do.  

This is a huge accomplishment for your kid 

but a way bigger accomplishment for you!!!

Seriously we had a little parent party, milestone accomplished.

We also discussed never having indoor pets, like EVER!

But the bottom line is that this Big Girl is out of diapers and

I AM FREEEE!