Keeping cool in the heat!

Today we went out in the pools again!
They were just too cute and I wanted to try out
my video feature on my camera.
Got some pretty cute videos.
First, we had icee pops to cool off...
Then we hopped right in!

Well, maybe not everyone!
Still enjoying some yummies!

Ahhh.. there we go!

This moment melted my heart.
Kaia would dump out her cup and Bennett
would just fill it back up for her.
Such good friends!

Then this looked like fun...

Ducks!

It had been so hot in July we took one "cooler" morning
trip to Ankeny to feed the ducks! We fed them
stale hot dog buns but they loved it and came
right up to us! It was pretty fun!

After the ducks got their snack, we had one too!

Then we played on a crazy "Spiderman playground,"
as it was dubbed by Lane.
Fun times! We'll have to make another trip there!

Outdoor fun!

Any time its not 110 degree heat index or raining, we are OUTSIDE!
Here is a little trip to the local park!

Digging and digging!

They found a mud puddle and threw rocks into it!
Yeah, digging the rocks back out wasn't the best idea!

Muddy nose!

King of the mountain!

On those hot, hot days we fill up the pool and cool off!

Ahh... this is the life!

But most of the time we just run around the backyard
and have a great time!

A little weed eating?

Weeee!

Or we play bikes, trikes, and cars in the front yard.
Along with some chalk and bubbles of course!

Kaia actually drawing with chalk instead of eating it!?
Its a miracle!

Bubble machine!

Pop! Pop! Pop!

Sweet Audrey!

Josie making her own bubbles!

July fun!

Happy 4th of July!
We celebrated by wearing some more crazy hats! (can you tell we like hats?)

And we enjoyed some ice cream with red sprinkles!
Yum!

"Hey, how many sprinkles did you put on?"

A little "Statue of Liberty"-like huh?

Another fun 4th of July craft.
Painting with potato stamps!

Audrey used a little too much muscle and decorated her face!
Too cute!

That's a lot of potatoes and even more paint!

What's a good way to beat the heat in July?
Make Shake Up Ice Cream!
It was fun until I heard "COLD!" over and over!
Lets just say I ended up shaking 4 bags of ice by the time we were done!

Cold!

In the end it was all worth it to eat the ice cream they "made!"

Yum!

Finger lickin' good!

Messy, Messy Martha!

Curtis's Birthday!

Back in June our friend Curtis had a birthday!
He turned 3 and we were so excited!

Before he came that morning, we made cards for him.
Bennett was gone that day... bummer :(

He really enjoyed listening to us sing Happy Birthday to him!

Everyone enjoyed some cupcakes and b-day hats!

Curtis was excited to open his present
(notice the toy Josie is playing with...
Curtis had just been playing with it and gave it to her
so he could open his present...)

And what do you know...!
Curtis got his OWN pair of binoculars!
Happy Birthday Curtis!

Best Friends

I have been very fortunate that all the kiddos just love each other
and get along so well! (aside from the typical "I was playing with
that first" arguments!)
I just love capturing moments of friendship and thought these were precious!

3 kids in a baby pool... can't get much closer that that!

Josie and Bennett must have saw something interesting outside.
Looks like they also worked together to empty the book bins! :)

Curtis and Lane built this castle by themselves very cooperatively!

Even the siblings get along sometimes!

Kaia and Josie sharing some girl time.

Bennett and Lane reading books together in the book bins.

Bennett and Kaia cooperating at the music table.

Josie and Curtis holding hands.
Bennett and Kaia having a little giggle together over a Spot book.