Preschool BBQ

We hosted an End of the Year BBQ for Daniel and Caleb's Preschool.

There were about 30 people that attended and it was great to get to

know some of the other families.

The kids definitely enjoyed the swingsets!  We also had bubbles

and played human Pac-Man. (Dave mows lines into the lawn and you

basically play tag, but you have to stay in the lines.)  I just don't

have any pictures of those activities--or the food--oh well!

This is the uninvited guest that showed up at the end of the BBQ.  Of course, to small

children, he looks like a wolf.  We ended up having the police come and get him after

everyone left.  I hope they are able to find his owners, he seemed like a pretty mellow dog.

Be ready for another post in the next few days!  Tomorrow is the Preschool graduation program!

Carver Park

There is a park near us that has many, many trails.  There are hiking trails, paved biking trails, horse trails, gardens and a nature center with live and stuffed animals.  We go there several times a year to "hike" around . . . I use the term hike pretty loosely, we really just walk we are not die hard hikers.

There is a tepee being built in one area of the Nature Reserve.  The kids loved exploring it!

Sometimes Caleb is just funny!  Can't you just hear him saying "CHEEEEESE"?

This is about as good as pictures get with 3 boys in the wilderness.

Helping Dad

Sometimes Dave needs us to help him at a job site.  On this particular day we only had to deliver 4 rolls of sod and some loose dirt.  The plan was to do that in the morning while Isaac was at school so the other 2 boys and I could take the work truck to make the delivery.  However, it POURED in the morning, so we needed to make the delivery in the afternoon.  Therefore it had to go in the car in order for there to be room for all the carseats.  I tell you, not everyone puts rolls of sod and loose dirt in their car (which was brand new when we purchased it at the end of February)!  Hey, ya gotta do what ya gotta do!  Now I really need to clean the inside of the car though.

The boys also enjoy helping around the yard at our place.



Sprinkler fun in May

So, I realize that it has been almost a whole month since I blogged . . . I don't really have a good excuse, but I'll try to make up for it now!

Who would think that on May 2 (in Minnesota) you could play in the sprinkler?



Caleb wasn't as excited about the sprinkler, he stayed up by the house and used the small sprinkler.

Last week was VERY busy! 

 There was a Preschool field trip to Coborn's (the grocery store).

We got to hear all about how the store is run, we went in the back room

and the coolers and freezers!

The they let us "pet" Larry the Lobster!

That night was the AWANA Awards night!

Above the Cubbies are waiting for all their friends to get up to the front.

Then they sang their Cubbies song for us.

Daniel received his award for finishing his book.

Caleb also received and award for finishing his book.

Isaac said the pledge with the group of SPARKS and TNT kids.

Isaac received his participation award.

Isaac also received a ribbon for finishing the first SPARKS book.

Then, he got speical pin for completing the extra credit cards.

Then on Thursday, there was a Kindergarten field trip to Gale Woods Farm.

Isaac got to milk a cow!

pet a very large dog,

help make salad dressing,

and bottle feed a lamb.

Overall, it was a busy but very fun week!

Evening Fun with Dad

I'm not sure how Dave does it, but even after working a VERY LONG day, he loves to go outside and play with the boys.  Tonight, they were having T-ball practice because you know, T-ball starts next month!




I love how it looks like they are having a conference on the pitching mound in the bottom right hand picture above.

Then there was batting practice . . .
 

and fielding practice . . .

and make sure you have the proper form when you throw . . .
 

but most of all, remember to have fun!

 

My OPINION on Organization and Atmosphere

I want to thank NDDwelling Mom for sharing her view on organization and atmosphere in the home.  I said that I would share my opinion in a couple days, so here we go.

I firmly believe that those who live in a home have the greatest influence over the atmosphere, especially it seems the mother's attitude has influence in this area.  Having said that, I also believe that a certain level of organization and order helps maintain a calmer atmosphere.  This may be primarily because when the house is organized, I know where things are, the kids know where things are and I spend less time looking for things (in general).  I AM NOT an organized person, my closets are not alphabetized, sometimes you can't see the desk . . . or other parts of the office.  I want to be more organized because I think that having a little more organization will make ME feel better which in turn will affect the atmosphere of our home and family.

I do believe that the organization and cleanliness has to be balanced with the right attitude so that it does not become all consuming.  It has the potential to be come somewhat of an obsession and I don't believe that the extreme organization obsession is healthy for a home either.  There has to be a balance of yes, my home is organized and its okay if it isn't PERFECT all the time. 

Well, that's my 2 cents worth . . . aren't you glad you got it for free?