recent adventures

We have been busy the last few days. Like we aren't busy all the time. I just want to make sure that when the teachers at the munchkin's schools ask them "what did you do over the summer?" mine don't answer with "Well, I saw every episode of 7th Heaven, Full House, Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place, SpongeBob,What I Like About You and Sesame Street for my baby sister. Wanna know what time they are on? I can give you a quick run down." I am hoping that I can give them a bit of a better answer. So I have been taking them to the Public Library for the reading program over the summer break. That is free so in my opinion it is wonderful! Besides the munchkins are finding all sorts of interesting things to read that they don't take the time to find during school. We just went a few days ago and Michael who can't stand to read during the school year, has almost finished his selections of, I think 5 books. They are not picture books either, but one is a hard backed comic book. Still I am proud of him for reading. Aimee too, she is not a big reader for fun during the school year but this summer she has left the magazine reads for real books. Yeah! Becca loves to read. I just don't have enough time to read with her as much as I would like. Believe it or not, Belle has been getting into going to the library too. She picked out 4 of her own choices this week after returning the 6 she picked out last time! Another solid reader I hope!

So that they have more than the library to talk about and just to have some fun we went to the bowling alley the other day. The girls just went to a birthday party there and we had not been as a family in quite a while, so we went back ourselves.

The munchkins really had a good time. They all bowled really well too! Becca, I don't know how she could throw that ball that was just as heavy as she is! But she did it! Aimee was there looking super cute of coarse and having fun being silly rolling the ball backwards, super slow and taping it with her toes to go down the lane. Aaahhh there is some of me in her! :)

Michael Jr was totally stoked because he won every game.

It is just for fun Michael Jr.

"Yeah right" he answered. "I WON!"

Thank goodness his sisters are good sports.

Yesterday I knew that I could not top the bowling alley. That was too much fun for the munchkins. I had to think. Where could I take the kids where they would have fun and it would not cost me hundreds of dollars? Hmmm. I do know that we have a really nice garden center here and the kids love to go there with me and they go off on adventures of looking for lizards, bunnies and squirrels while I shop for flowers, herbs and dirt. They are so nice there to let my munchkins run around and get so excited about nature. I was just there last week, twice. I can't make the garden center people entertain us again. I am NOT driving up to the mountains today. Belle just hates driving far. I really don't want a grouchy, hot and loud 1 year old in the van for an hour if I can avoid it. That is when it hit me. We have a BIG nature area right here. It is just a few minutes drive from our house too.

"Munchkins! Grab a water and jump in the van! Let's go!"

Tada!

I had forgotten about this garden. I haven't been there since I was a bit older than Michael Jr. and it is right here!

We trekked through all sorts of paths.

We even saw a bee hive!

No pictures of that. Sorry. Big allergic chicken right here! Bock! Bock!

Aimee took some pictures of the scenery.

Good eye for photography huh?

Yup, she took this one too.

They had some beautiful ponds there as well. This one was Michael Jr.'s favorite because of all the turtles.

Even though it was so hot outside yesterday, the munchkins had a good time. We spent over 3 hours just walking around looking and listening to everything and we still did not even come close to seeing everything they had to offer. There were all different kinds of gardens and smells and water features. They even had sprinklers on in different spots so as we walked around the munchkins got to cool off a bit too. It was a lovely day and the kids can't wait to go back. I think next time we will pack a lunch and stay longer.