Fourth of July

The boys were really excited about the Fourth of July this year because we decided they could stay up late and watch the fireworks!

 

We met our friends, Lauren and Addie, at the pool on the third.  That night we went to the school Ice Cream Social and then set out our blanket and put on the bug spray for the fireworks.  Henry and Walter loved everything...Mom and Dad weren't big fans of the crabby factor the next day!

The next morning we got up early and did the Fun Run/Walk at school and Henry ran in the race for his age group (he's in the blue shirt).  He'd been looking forward to it since last year!  He just can't help but look around and enjoy watching everybody running.

 

After a few meltdowns, we headed home and relaxed for a little while before driving to the lake where we had dinner with Gramps and Grandma L, Uncle Dan and Aunt Gayle, and Mimi Megan.  We even took a little cruise around the lake while having blueberry pie. 

 

I started feeling a little under-the-weather after we got home from the Fun Run but figured it was the heat and humidity combined with being tired.  Turns out I was sick, so Nate took Henry and Walter to the lake on Saturday so I could have some time to rest.  By Sunday, Walter was sick with the same thing...which began an interesting month for us.



 Fishing and having fun with cousin George.

Hooked on Fishing

Fast forward again - all the way to the end of June. 

(I am soooo far behind!)

Walter caught this bass while we were visiting Grandma and Grandpa L and he was very happy about it.  As a matter of fact, he still likes to tell people about it.  He's usually asking for his fishing rod as soon as we pile out of the car at the lake.

Whenever he catches a fish, he likes to touch their eyes and see if they have any teeth before throwing them back in the lake.

Blast from the Past

...Because June seems like ages ago, doesn't it?  Nate had these on his phone and they made us laugh, so I had to include them here.

Otto's Favorite Spots

 For some reason bags and plants were highly desirable when it came to relaxing.

Henry's 6th Birthday

A few days before Henry's birthday, we got together at the lake to celebrate three important birthdays - Mimi Megan's, Grandma L's, and Henry's.  Back in May, Henry and Walter decided they wanted to share Jabba the Hutt's Palace Lego Set for their birthdays...until the next day when Walter changed his mind.  Henry happily agreed to take on full responsibility for his dream set, which became an early birthday present from Grandpa, Grandma and the Mimis.

 Henry has enjoyed learning to play basketball and soccer this year.  These gifts have gotten a lot of use this summer.

 With Grandma and Mimi Megan (and the cake)

And then a quick pontoon ride.

 

Henry woke on his birthday, ran through the balloons outside the bedroom door and begged to open his new Legos!

 This was the Year of Lego Sets...I think we spent two days putting sets together - the things I've learned as a mom!

 

 We were going to hit the pool in the afternoon, so we thought it would be wise to sing "Happy Birthday" and cut into the ice cream cake immediately after lunch.

Off to the pool where we met our friends.  On this day, they spent a ton of time racing in the kiddie pool.

On your marks, get set...

...tough pose...

...and then Amar had enough of that and jumped in...

But they had to try a few more poses -

-before continuing their races.

And then Walter decided he was ready to join in on the photo stuff, but the other three were already at the other end of the pool getting ready to jump in the water again.

We stayed at the pool until it was time for supper.  Henry had requested French fries and mashed potatoes ("Oh, those are the same food - let's have French fries.") and hamburgers.  Mom added salad and fruit to the menu.

 

It's hard to believe how much Henry has grown and learned this year.  He keeps us on our toes with his sense of humor, deep thinking, and daily inventions.  We love him to pieces. 

Ducklings

One afternoon in June we were driving home from the grocery store when we noticed three ducklings without their mother, wandering down the street towards the highway.  We didn't see signs of their mother anywhere and we guessed that their chances of making it across the highway were pretty slim, so after calling Dad, we decided we should take them somewhere safe.  Our travel toilet was the only thing we had in the car to put them in while we transported them to the slough.  Thankfully, Henry and Walter are quick on their feet because these Wood Duck babies were fast.  After a few minutes of chasing them around, we got them in the back of the car and headed over to Dad's office to pick him up.  As I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed that one of the ducks had somehow managed to sneak out of the toilet and was now under the gas pedal!  We eventually made it to their new home and slipped them in to the water, watching them paddle away.  Henry and Walter were so disappointed that we couldn't keep them, "I miss the baby ducks!" 

Sorry!

Henry stayed with Grandma and Grandpa A while Walter was in the hospital this spring.  During that week he discovered the board game Sorry!   He liked it so much that Grandma and Grandpa gave him Sorry! for his birthday.  We're having lots of fun playing as a family.