Where have we been?

It has been an amazing summer. Unfortunately we have had so much fun that my computer time has been pretty much nonexistent. The kids did a month of swim lessons, we had a ton of play dates, we went on an almost two week trip to OK and MO, and we spent MANY hours enjoying our pool. I apologize for not blogging more, but time with the kids took priority over time at the computer. Check out the link below to see a few pictures from the the weekend of the 4th, when we went to a ball game, and our fun vacation pics!=)

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

The Circus

A neighbor called me the other day and offered us free tickets to the circus. I had never been and was wanting to take the kids but at $33 for the cheap seats I wasn't sure I wanted to go all that bad.

So, with the offer of free tickets we decide to go to The Greatest Show on Earth!!!

It was truly a feast for our eyes. The show was just spectacular. We all sat glued to our seats not daring to move for fear of missing the next amazing thing. According to Tyler his favorite parts were (in order), getting to see the elephants poop, watching the awesome pirates fight, and seeing 7 (yes, I did say 7) motorcycles drive around the inside of a globe.

If you have never been to the circus let me tell you---you are missing out! It really was a wonderful experience and I am so glad that we went.

This is the globe that the 7 motorcycles drove around in---it was so cool!

You can CLICK HERE to see even more pictures!

Reward time

I am a firm believer in the power of a good bribe. It worked wonders when I was teaching and continues to do so with my own children. Take for example swim lessons.....

1. Tyler flat out told me he was NOT going to do them.

2. I told him that YES he was.

3. Tyler saw a commercial for some hideously ugly light up shoes.

4. I swore my children would never wear light up shoes--I can't stand them.

5. Tyler, with his sweetest smile and a giant hug, asked me if I would buy him Police Skechers

6. I realized that this was my bribe opportunity!!!

7. I presented the bribe----"You do three weeks of swim lessons without crying, screaming, or yelling. In fact, you do WHATEVER the teacher tells you to do. Even is she says bark like a dog you HAVE to do it. If you do that for me I will buy you the shoes--even though I can't stand them."

8. Tyler was VERY successful at swim lessons. He is even jumping off the side willingly OVER and OVER and OVER!!!

9. I searched ENDLESSLY for these shoes in his size. A very kind lady at Famous Footwear did a special order for me.

10. The shoes arrived and he is a VERY HAPPY boy!

**Emma did the lessons too (mind you, she did it without a bribe) and was also very successful-- she is now swimming with floaties. One look at the sparkly shoes in the store and she was in love---- so I caved!**

It all worked out in the end---I am happy because they both now LOVE the pool and they are both totally happy with their new shoes!

Emma was in her room napping the other day and I was taking a little rest on the couch. I thought that I heard her door open but she never came in to the living room. After about 15 minutes I got up and found her like this on my bed.

Baby it's hot outside...

When it gets too hot to play outside we have to get creative with the indoor activities. Sometimes we even combine some of our favorite things like---art and eating. The kids had a great time doing some M&M math. We reviewed colors, counting, sorting, and talked about graphing. The best part of course came at the end when we got to eat the M&M's.