Insights shared by Emily

I sat reading the scriptures one morning when Emily sat down beside me and asked,
"How come you and Daddy like to study?"
I said, "We like to study because studying helps us become better people."
Quickly she replied, "Oh. Me and Michael like to play because it makes us better."
Isn't that the truth?

Splash!

Emily just finished her first round of "minnow" swim lessons. She loves the water and has confidence in the pool. The other day she showed me that she learned to spit out water. She intentionally put water in her mouth and spit it out. I thought, yuck!, but I can see why that's a good thing to know.

We signed her up for the class not knowing that while she swims, any of her family members can have access to the pool for free. During and after her class, Adam and the kids splash around while Robbie and I chill out in the kiddie pool. The enrollment fee (discounted 40% for us poor college students) has really paid off since it's not only paying for swim lessons, it's also paying for FAMILY SWIM TIME! 

Blue Sky and Tie Dye

We recently met up with my family and camped together on the coast. We had a fabulous time.  

Some of Emi's cousins hanging out.  

My sister and her kids tie dyed shirts to share with the cousins. She even tie dyed a onesie for Robbie. If I took all of Robbie's stained onesies and tie dyed them, do you think they would turn out?

We had a great time. Robbie slept better than I'd anticipated he would. Perhaps it was the constant roar of the ocean lullaby. The above photo shows Emily in her swimsuit and long john shirt, which says a lot about the weather. Beautiful blue sky. Cold, cold wind and water.

4th of July Activities

In preparation for Independence Day, the kids and I did a couple fun activities. Adam and I really enjoy this great summer holiday and wanted the kids to have fun with the colors red, white, and blue.

Patriotic wind socks

Found the idea at enchantedlearning.com, but we did it our own way with gift ribbon for the streamers and whatever construction/cardstock paper I had on hand in the right colors. Uses an oatmeal container.


Sugar Cookies

With all the sprinkles and frosting, this is quite the messy project.
My friend has a great recipe for the cookies (which I have yet to get from her) that turn out thick, but not dense. We didn't have any stars cookie cutters, just Christmas bells. Of course, in this case it's the Liberty Bell for freedom.