Summer Fun

This summer has started off with a swirl of activity! We are spending this summer busy as usual, but also taking time to relax and just catch up a bit! This summer we are learning new chores and passing down chores to younger siblings. (For example, Luke, Ben, and Grace are getting more practice at caring for Bella and cleaning bathrooms. Jacob, Caleb, and Isaac have taken over trash chores and some of the sweeping!) Each day of the week I have set aside the day for one of our children to help me with laundry and cooking. They love this one on one time with me!

Bella also has enjoyed spending more time indoors to get out of the heat during the summer.

At the beginning of June, Gracie took part in her third ballet recital. This year her studio put on The Beauty and the Beast, and Gracie's class were feather dusters!

We are so proud of our baby girl! Caleb and Isaac stayed home with a babysitter but are still proud of their big sister too!

The next week in June was our second year to participate in a local track and field "Runners Camp." It was Jacob's first year to be old enough to participate with the big kids!

While the older four were at camp, Caleb and Isaac had some special time alone with Mommy! We played at a jump house, the pool, and just spent time together reading books and enjoying each others company!

Friday during camp is the "field" portion of their track and field meet. They get to participate in long jump, shot put, discus,  or javelin.

Gracie got 1st place in shot put!

On Saturday AM we cheered them on during the track portion of the meet!

We are so proud of how hard all four of them worked all week long. It was incredibly hot, and a long week, but they did awesome! Jacob is all heart and so much fun to watch!

Gracie, our "gazelle" won 2nd place in the 100m dash and 5th place in the 100 hurdles!

Ben got 4th place in 100m dash, and 2nd in the 400m!

Luke got 6th for hurdles and 5th for 100m dash!

Caleb and Isaac participated in the sibling run too!

Caleb ran with Ben and Isaac decided he was big enough to run on his own!

It was a long hot week, but they all did such a great job!

This summer Aunt Kam introduced us to STEM reads. This is a monthly subscription box that arrives with several books and an activity centered around a STEM theme. This month was Fairground Fysics and we had a blast! We read books about the inventor of the Ferris Wheel and about the science behind amusement park rides and food! Then we got to put into action what we leaned about Newton's laws of motion by creating our own mini roller coaster! So much fun, and hours of entertaining learning at its best! At one point there was a quote from a book about Isaac Newton being a very smart man. Ben leaned over and asked our Isaac if he was a very smart man? Isaac grinned, put one finger in the air and replied, "No, I'm a genius!" LOL!

It has already been a very busy summer!