reading is FUN!

We love to do all kinds of learning at our house. And we especially love to read! So this summer we issued a challenge to our kids. We wanted to see how many books they could read over their break.



Addie read 175 books, and 90% of those were chapter books.  We made weekly visits to the library and she just devoured book after book!  (some of her favorite series are Magic Tree House, Nancy Drew, American Girl, Hardy Boys, plus she read quite a few classics like Stuart Little, Pollyanna, Charlotte's Web, etc.)  I don't think I ever asked Addie to go read, it really is her favorite thing to do!



Doak read 30 books.  (very simple easy readers or he retold the story of longer books to us).  He got really motivated toward the end of August and had so much fun reading!

We are so proud of both kids for their hard work and mostly for their love of learning.  They got to pick a toy out for their efforts-Addie picked a stuffed dog that barks, snores, moves, and eats.  Doak is obsessed with Ninjago and picked out Jay's jet.  They are already talking about what they will read and earn next summer! : )


 

summer sum up

As I look back over my pictures from the last 3 months I'm reminded what a great summer we had! Here are some pictures to sum up the summer.

 

We spent some time at parks.



We did LOTS of reading!



We spent time learning most week days.



We played LEGOS, lots and lots of LEGOS.



We played in the backyard.

 

During the week of constant rain we got creative with some fun indoor activities!



I froze plastic ocean animals and boats in large tubs of water.



Addie and Doak used hammers to (carefully) excavate the ocean animals and then they carved boats, ice bergs, etc.

 

We made houses with grapes and toothpicks.




We visited The Children's Museum in our town with some friends.



We had moments of sweet sibling bonding.



We had fun with non traditional toys.

 

We went to the movies (Brave-too scary! and Winnie the Pooh-perfect!)

 

We did chores and learned that earning money takes hard work.




We made homemade ice cream in a ziploc bag.




We rode bikes to TCBY and were so sweaty!

 

We went to church (and found one that we love!)




We rode bikes to the pool.




We met our new friend, Griffin, son of Chad and Christi, little brother to Cooper.




 We saw friends who stopped by on their way home from the beach.




We had lots of time for love and hugs!




We spent many days at the pools or the spray park.



Sometimes we met friends for water fun.







Sometimes family was the only friend we needed.

 


 







Here's to the summer of 2012!

 

Family Staycation-Around Town

In between our fun outings we had a lot of good, quality hang out time.




Bryan and our boys always have a special bond.  Brock let Bryan hold him while he drank his morning cup of milk-that's an honor not given to many!



We loved having Uncle Chad in town!  He's so nice and carries the 7 year olds when their parents say no!



Sweet cousins heading out to the pool!



Brock is a fearless water baby!



Keri is always entertaining at the pool, especially on the diving board.  This picture may or may not have been followed by a belly flop.



We loved having Bryan in town too, all these daddies work so hard and it was nice to have them on vacation for a while. 



Sweet boys after a yummy Mexican lunch out.



Free tea day at McAlister's was during our staycation week.



We planned our day around a delicious lunch and a refreshing glass of tea.



tea lovers



Dianna kept all the kids on their last night here and Bryan, Amy, Keri and I went out to dinner.  We had planned to see a movie or get dessert but we were too tired and full to do either. 

 

We had the best time together and laughed so hard all night.  We're so blessed to have such great family that we would choose for friends!

 

Family Staycation, Houston Zoo

Another fun day trip during our staycation was an outing to the Houston Zoo.


 

Happy cousins at the zoo!  Camryn (9), Doak (4), Brock (20 months), Addie (7), Makynna (7)

 

One of the best parts of our staycation was that Keri had the whole week off, no workouts, no film, no camps!  He and the kids had a drumming session in the African section of the zoo. 

 

Silly kiddos!



Spooky masks!



drum away!



All the kids thought this tunnel in the aquarium portion of the zoo was so cool!  Brock would have stayed here for hours I bet!



Sweet Brock and Daddy checking out the elephants.



Oh, he's so precious!

 

Time for a snowcone break, it was HOT!



Yum!



We were exhausted from all the fun!  Another great day with our great family!