Summer school and activities

This summer has been pretty busy with preparations for our move. We have fit in some fun summer school activities though in the midst of just enjoying summer and playing in the pool outside!

Over the past three years we have enjoyed doing a live insect study. First we studied ants, then butterflies, and this year ladybugs!

This week we were able to release our ladybugs! (One even crawled on Jacob's hand.)

We have also been enjoying lots of books from the library.

The Children's Book of America has been a particular favorite this summer. We read this same author last year in The Children's Book of Virtues with our Sonlight curriculum. We have loved both of these titles and the stories have been read and reread in our home.


We also recently finished one of our chapter read aloud books, Farmer Boy. This was a huge hit with Luke and Ben, and I daresay their favorite extra read aloud this year!

 

We have now started Mrs Piggle Wiggle, one of my personal favorites from childhood!

We have also been enjoying some new games to keep us busy and our minds quick. Rush Hour Jr. is a favorite with us all. Funny little tidbit: even though this game is supposed to be for 6 yrs and up, there are a few advanced logic puzzles that are tough even for Mommy and Daddy. Gracie, at 3, on the other hand can leave all of us in the dust in her ability to figure out most of the puzzles. :) She is simply amazing to watch in action.

Playing with Playdough:

Lots of coloring:

This summer Luke and Ben were able to participate in a Wednesday night activity at our church with an Olympic theme. On the last night they had a family night where they were able to show all the things they had learned and compete in different Olympic sport activities. Luke and Ben both received two medals in their age category for the 50 yd dash and javelin throw.

On a side note, our Luke is the most amazing big brother ever. When we got in the car to leave he immediately handed Gracie and Jacob each one of his medals. He said, "I'm so glad I got two so that Gracie and Jacob can each have one!" I explained to him that he could keep his medals, but he insisted on sharing them with his siblings. Thank you Lord for his tender and generous spirit! (Gracie kept walking around the house saying that she had the best big brother ever!)

Here they have all been naughty and are getting a ride to jail in Daddy's work car! :)

We have spent a ton of time outside in our little pool. Caleb absolutely adores the water. He is a little fish! Silly Caleb, you are not supposed to eat the sunscreen!

Gracie says that she has her hands full! :)

If you know our family, you also know that since Jeff and I have been married we have not owned a TV. We have loved this freedom from technology! Well, Jeff's coworker is getting married, and for a steal of a deal, she gave us her flat screen tv, dvd player, and Wii with games! We are setting pretty strict limits on screen time, but as a family we have had a blast enjoying our new Wii! The funniest part is that Gracie is the champion Wii bowler. She has higher scores than anyone else in the family including Mommy and Daddy! Here is a picture of when Daddy was first teaching her how to Wii bowl! :)

As you can see, despite packing up our house to move we have still had a fun and busy summer!