A Walk in the Park

Grandma DeShon has a park conveniently located about four blocks from her house and on Monday morning we ventured out with the whole crew to investigate the park.

The merry-go-round was a big hit, especially when Nick was pushing! 

Liyah preferred practicing her step climbing to the merry-go-round fun of the other kids.

Everyone enjoyed the swings,

including the tire swing.

 

Nick was a great helper all week with the little kids.  He took them down slides, helped them with shoes, and occasionally carried them around, if needed. 

The girls loved playing with their cousins all week and would ask when they were coming if they weren't already at grandma's house.  It was a fun and busy week.  One my girls are still talking about all these weeks later.

Girls, Girls, Girls

Grandpa DeShon's birthday coincided with our visit home this year.  We helped him celebrate his edging one year closer to official senior citizen status with a delicious homemade lunch on Sunday and presents.

Nick and Emma gave grandpa new clothes and we gave him handmade cards and a gift card.  After the birthday festivities, we met my college friend, Wendy, and her family for dinner and playtime.

I love Theia in this picture.

I couldn't resist this picture of all the kids and Wendy's husband, Aaron.  There were 8 girls, including Wendy and I, and poor lone Aaron.  He didn't seem phased by all the estrogen, he just looked out of place.

We also convinced all the kids to give us one picture before we split for the evening.  To say they were willing participants is probably stretching it.

Regardless of anyone else's opinions of the evening Wendy and I had a fabulous time chatting, catching up and strolling down memory lane.

The Old Ball Game

Saturday morning at Grandma DeShon's house dawned hot, sunny and humid.  Perfect weather for a four hour baseball tournament, right?  While cousin Nick played catcher, first base, and third base in a two-game tournament, we watched,

got our nails painted,

played in the grass and dirt,

had our hair fixed,

and sweat (a lot!).

After lunch and a long nap, Nick and Emma joined us for fun in the evening with a sleepover.

We also enjoyed a spontaneous visit from my childhood friend, Kelly, her son, Eli, and her mom LeAnn. 

Ode to a Porcupine

Happy birthday you sweet, butterfly loving, question asking, cook assisting, grandma loving, green blanky sniffing, Awana cubbing, plane riding, Theia bossing, small item sorting, balloon loving, hug giving, name spelling, card coloring, tomato eating, four year old porcupine.  You amaze us and bring laughter to our home.  We love you with all our hearts!

Bandicoot v. Pancake

If you give a bandicoot a pancake,

she'll probably stuff it all in her mouth at once.

If it doesn't fit,

she'll just try harder.

If all else fails, she'll use her hands to keep it in her mouth.

Hot Summer Days

Nearly every afternoon of our visit at Grandma DeShon's house was spent in a similar manner:

enjoying the sprinkler.

The days were REALLY hot and humid, so all five kids enjoyed running through the sprinkler, filling cups with water and dumping them on their heads, and generally being cool and wet.  I enjoyed spectating in the shade, that is, when someone didn't steal my seat.

Sidewalk chalk and bubbles were also on the outdoors entertainment list for all of the kids.  The kinds of things for which summer must have been created!

A Morning at the Museum

With a day at Grandma DeShon's house to recover from travelling, by Friday we were ready to take the town of Lincoln by storm.  On Friday cousins Nick and Emma joined us for the day and we started the morning with a visit to the Lincoln Children's Museum with my friend Jenny and her son, Jack.  There is much to see and do at the Children's museum and it was suitable for our range of kids from 17 months to 11 years old.

There's a theater area with dress up clothing, a stage, and a puppet area, too.

There's also a large water area with lots of things to do (I didn't get any pictures of this area).  Near the water area is a real life semi truck for the kids to climb in and play on.  We took a few shots in the semi and talked about Grandpa DeShon (who drives on for a living).

Liyah never got behind the wheel of the big rig, but she got a chance to drive something more her size later in the toddler area.  This area was nice because it was gated and we were able to keep the four smallest children in one area and entertained for a lengthy period of our stay.

While the little kids played in the toddler area, Nick, Emma, and Xandra explored the grocery store area, doctor area, motorcycle, and much more.

Before we left, everyone took turns getting their face painted, including Nick.  He offered to let the little girls paint his face. 

He may have regretted his decision when it was all said and done, but they sure enjoyed themselves!

With painted faces, full tummys (we picnicked on the roof outside), much of the museum unseen, and tired kids, we took a few last shots

and headed for home. 

Thanks for a fun morning Jack, Jenny, Emma & Nick!