Random + Hunter

I haven't updated the blog in a bit so here are some random pictures:

Nathan wearing his cousin's hat and, obviously, feeling cool.

Cousins spending some pool time together.

Dipping strawberries in chocolate--YUM!

Lily hosted the girls for the homeschool girls' book club she is a part of.  I think there were 9 girls total and they had a ton of fun swimming and eating tons of junk!

We hit the farmer's market one morning.  It was so much fun and the kids played market afterward.

An early morning chess game...aren't they cute?

This is what happens when Brian tries to go to work...that's why he's late so often!

The rest of the post is all about Hunter.  After finishing vision therapy, his doctor offered to refer us for more evaluations because they couldn't answer all my questions and concerns.  So, after a 4 month wait, we got in and it was a long morning of written and physical testing.  It was no surprise at all to me that he had sensory issues--specifically, auditory.  The vision tests were great, by the way.  It was a surprise to find that his muscles were quite weak for his age.  So, he has started meeting Jenny, the OT, for therapy 3x week.  It is a ton of fun--he LOVES it and that makes me happy!  I did sneak a picture at his 1st visit.  He wears the headphones for a listening therapy--he listens to music and to Jenny.  I guess it will help him multi-task and pay attention better.

Trying out the packs the night before.  Hunter acted like he was going to fall over!

Brian texted me this picture after they got there...I was so happy for them to have this time together.

 Yes, excitement over the pool because it was about 100 degrees while they were camping.  Brian is the biggest sweat-er so I'm sure he appreciated the pool!

 Hunter said archery was his favorite activity!  

He was also amazed that he got to shoot a "real" (BB) gun.  He instructed me on the "butt" of the gun....ha!

In case they weren't hot enough, they decided to hike to a cave with a Dad/son from their pack.  Brian had to change clothes after this because of the sweat and Hunter's looking pretty pink-cheeked.  :)

Making pizzas...

Trying the rock wall but he said he didn't make it too far because it was too hot!!

His first day there, he purchased sour straws, a push up and this walking stick.  I think he really enjoyed having $ to spend!

A final picture because I think it's so cute!  He had a great time and was torn about whether he wanted to come back or not.  I know Brian was happy for a cold shower and air!

New Month

July already!!  I guess I'm not doing so well updating the blog during the summer.  I did just empty pictures off my iphone so I have something to share...

Brian and I had a weekend away in Des Moines for the homeschool conference there.  This was our 2nd year and it is just worth going to!  We didn't love any of our workshops like we did the 1st year but the curriculum hall and the time together is totally worth it!!  Plus, we got to see lots of people we knew.

We tried out the shave ice place close to our home.  It was a hit!!  I prefer it to ice cream but I'm not sure if the other would go that far.  :)  Brian got "ghost" (coconut and vanilla) and it was everyone's favorite.

I made homemade bread for the 1st time (I only have 1 bread pan so 1 loaf is differently shaped).  It turned out wonderfully and I'm ready to try it again with a different (healthier?) recipe.  :)

Nathan got his 2nd hair cut and did a fantastic job!!

We found time to walk the trail on a cool, summer morning.  Too hot for that now!

I tried a different lunch idea--making a snacky tray and letting them picnic with it in the living room.  It worked out really well.  The trail mix was left but everything else was gone!

Nathan is my 1st child to have poop-painting incidents.  See all that?  It's poop.  Gross!!!!  We are now afraid, literally, to take our eyes off him.

Painting hot rocks to pass the time....

 I went to Mall of America with my Mom and sister.  It was a lot of fun and I got some IKEA stuff to add storage for homeschool books stuff.  We got some pictures for the kids.  Here I am with the Queen/Bear from Brave (which we just saw yesterday!):

The 3 of us grown women ate at American Girl Cafe and requested a doll.  Ha!!  We thought we were funny.

We saw Aang from the Airbender series so I had to get a picture--Hunter is really into this cartoon/book/movie.  He was friendly!

We had a nasty storm recently and lost power for18 hours.  It was hot without air conditioning so we packed up to stay with my parents.  Lily got a full beauty package before we went to see Brave.  She even made a sash-thing out of paper to tape to her outfit so it resembled Merida's.  She's very creative!

Lily's room has been completed but I haven't taken pictures yet so I'll update that when I get the boys' room done.  I'm also changing up the living room and, as I said, adding storage to the homeschool area.  So, all of that will be done this month.  Nathan starts speech this month and Samuel continues his speech so we'll be busy with that!  Nathan is saying more in just the past couple of weeks so I have hope that this will be a brief thing for him.  I'll try to update before August but it's hard when we are enjoying the laid back summer!!  :)