Summer 2015: Remodeling, Swimming, and Gum

The Summer of 2015 will be officially known for three major things: The Big Remodel, Swimming, and Gum. Please let me explain. First, as you may or may not have already heard we are taking on a remodel project at our home. It currently looks like this:

And the living room looks like this:

So, obviously we are doing this:

...in our apartment home for the summer. The kids have adjusted fairly well, because well, they like to swim. Like EVERY. DAY. and on most days, TWICE. Connor calls it our hotel. I would agree that it is sort-of hotel like, except for the lack of room service.

However, there was one week that our framer got hung up on another job and was running a few days late. We hated to see the project just sit at a stand still, so we hired a few extra day laborers. I really hope they were bonded & insured.

Lastly, the Gum. I finally decided that the girls were old enough to try chewing gum, which they have been asking about for some time now. As it turns out chewing gum is an Activity. All. By. Itself. What do I mean by this? Well, sometimes I ask the kids in the morning things like, "What shall we do today?" and they get really excited and scream "Chew gum!" Umm, well yes, I THINK we can fit that into our schedule today. Then Grandma sent the kids $2 in the mail & I took them to the dollar store. They each picked out 1 toy, and 1 of (get ready for it...) THEIR VERY OWN PACK OF GUM. Its like their most prized possession of all time. So, next time you are bored and you just can't think of anything to do, please let me recommend the fun, rather long, but exciting activity of chewing gum. You just might get addicted, like the Cunningham Kids.

Summer Tradition: Camping with Cousins!

 One of our all time favorite summer traditions is to pack up a truck load of children and supplies and head out into the great outdoors. We're ready for an adventure!

 Thanks for "helping" set up the tent kids!

 We had four awesome camp spots together with our cousins. The best part is they backed up to a great trail system, which was perfect for hiking, walking dogs, or temporarily loosing children (fortunately everyone made it back alive - phew!)

 

No camping experience would be complete without a grand marshmallow roast - one of the kids favorite things! (Shocking.) Here is the roast master himself, demonstrating perfect technique for the kids. 

We went on a short (0.2 mile) hike to this beautiful waterfall. 

 

Even the tiniest campers made the trek & then wanted to swim, "Can we PLEEEEAAAASE take off our clothes and swim, Mom?" Umm, no.  "Well can we at least take off our shoes and socks? PLEEEAAASE!!?? We won't get our clothes wet. We promise." Umm, okay. So, that resulted in two wet children/outfits.

 Our adventurous seven year old. Nice balancing act, C!

 Another highlight this year was the bike parade. This was an idea originally hatched back home a few days before the Great Camp-out. Thus, we had time to make signs and decorations & purchase candy to throw out to the camping neighbors. Weirdly, our kids both threw AND caught gobs of candy themselves.

Camping is just SO exciting and fun that it is hard to pose for a normal picture. Obviously.

The Mirror

A few days ago, we experienced an unfortunate event where one of our dear sweet children, who will remain anonymous (Connor), threw the girls' mirror in a fit of rage and shattered it all over our floor. Later, as I was explaining the situation to Grandma:

Me: Connor threw the girls' mirror on the floor & it shattered, so he has to buy them a new one with his own money.
Grandma: What kind of mirror was it? Like a hand mirror?
Ashlyn (who I did not even realize was listening): NO GRANDMA! I use it to look at my FACE.
 

Seven!

 On Connor's actual birthday, we had to surprise him again first thing in the morning...

Of course, he thought about it & found a clever way to "get around" our surprise. 

Typical. Connor. Style. 

Then, the only thing he wanted to do for his birthday, was head to the Lego store to compete in the "super jump" contest (where you jump a super hero figurine with a little finger flicker onto a bulls-eye). There were about 15 kids competing ranging from ages 4 (if you count Ashlyn's attempt, which we will) to about age 14. The 13 & 14 year-olds took this quite seriously, as did our seven year old. In the end with a little skill and a lot of luck, Connor was the grand champion & won himself his own birthday present!! Best. Birthday. Ever.

Then Connor invited 5 school friends to join us for a mini-golf party. I wasn't 100% sure that first graders could actually play mini-golf very well, but at least they were excited to be there!

The first-graders took the game quite seriously & actually were very good! Even the 4-year old sisters played well for most of the 18 holes.

 However, after about 14 holes, our two four-year-olds decided they were ready to "take a break" (quit) and it was sort-of a contagious decision. Only Connor & two friends finished the grueling 18 hole round.

 Inside we played some golf games, ate cupcakes, & opened presents. My favorite card of ALL. TIME. was written to Connor, "I am not sure if I will have fun at your party, but I will try to play golf." (Love. The. Honesty. Anna Mae.)

 As is the case every single time I volunteer in Connor's classroom with my two helpers in tow, first-graders love Connor's sisters. Hugs all around.

 Connor posing with his girls:

Seven-year-olds are so fun. We had a blast!