It's all about Music

Both boys are crazy about music but this little cutie literally cannot get enough.  He has begged us for a banjo for so long and we resisted for a long time but when he made one from a tambourine and a drum stick we found it such a sad substitute that we finally caved and found one on-line that will hopefully turn out to be child-appropriate.  He's been asking about it for days.  He sings in the morning and he sings in the bath and it's a wonder that he isn't hoarse.

It's Been Hot.

The record breaking heat has made it almost impossible to be outside without being wet. We've been wearing holes (literally...duct tape is a wonder) in our kiddie pool and enjoying a local 'spray ground', which is a playground with water everywhere.  

It's All About Games

Cal is just crazy about games these days...playing games and making up games.  Many mornings we wake up and he heads over to the art table to draw a game that we must immediately play with him.  Sometimes it a little tricky to really figure out exactly how the game is played and the rules do seem to shift around a bit. (wink). 

But, he loves a good game and really doesn't mind losing.  We've been enjoying Go Fish and Bingo a lot these days and he can really handle it when he doesn't win though he's pretty excited when he does win.  Below we are playing a fun storytelling game that we got here and is great because everyone can play it.  In general, it's a fun stage for everyone but especially Mama who is already a huge lover of board games.  

Father's Day (a little catch up)

Ah, with the boys getting older it seems to be harder and harder to keep this little blog up to date.  So, this week I'm going to try some catch up.  And, I'm starting with Father's Day. 

We had a great time making a 'special day' for papa starting with a nice breakfast and a dinner outside.  The boys delighted in letting Papa sleep in and helping me make a garland outside. 

The garland was strung on a tree and included pictures of Papa being a Papa and also quotes from the boys about how they feel about Papa, all of which were really adorable including "Kieran is a lucky man we have for a dad." There is more about that project here on mama's crafty website.

The City and Sea Vacation

Ah, vacation!  We are back now but I swear that there is a little sand still stuck in the crevices of the shoes that once walked on the beach.  We did a little city-sea thing splitting time between Washington D.C. and a beautiful little town at the very bottom tip of New Jersey called Cape May.  We had a great time (with one big exception called 'being separated in the D.C. metro', ask me about it sometime and I will give you an earful).  Here is the photographic proof of the whole shebang:

busy, busy in that great summer way.

This was one of those weekend that was jam-packed with summer-like fun.  We started with our annual strawberry picking through the organic farm we get food from in the harvest months. 

We have been doing this for 4 years and the boys love it so much they got ready for bed the night before discussing it and woke up ready to roll.  And, that was a good thing because we got lost on our way (they moved the picking field when the farm expanded and acquired another farm plot miles away from the old plot).  So, it took us a while to get there.

 {he is shouting NO! MORE! PICTURES! because he doesn't always appreciate my need for documentation}

But, they were prepared to work hard and get muddy after an extended car ride.  Plus, the location meant that we got to take a TRACTOR RIDE to the field. This was, by far, the highlight.  Strawberries are great and all but TRACTORS! that takes the cake. 

Here is Jude and Papa demonstrating just exactly how they would drive the tractor if the farmer needed their help in an emergency.  Callum is skeptical of their approach.

 We also got down to visit Grandma and Grandad Crowley for a very important reason...their 40th wedding anniversary! The boys had a great time running around in their house and kicking the ball around their yard.  And, we all had great food and a great time to catch up. There was even a bit of glass-clinking to celebrate! Congratulations Grandma and Grandad!!

Yay for summer!