Summer!

I feel like our "regular" summer vacation is well underway.  We've been doing lots of "regular" summer stuff:  weeding the garden, picking vegetables in the garden, hacking away at rogue plants that are trying to take over my garden (tomatoes, pumpkins, cucumbers, and watermelon are going crazy) swimming in our pool, water balloon fights, crafts, wii games/dancing, parties, 4th of July fireworks and more!  Our weather has been cooler than usual and a little bit wetter as well, but we are still enjoying it.  My pictures (like my blogging) are random and a bit sparse, so we'll see what I can find to post.

In other news I haven't done any family highlights since school got out, so I think I'll do a family highlight catch up!
Celeste:  Celeste still has a pacifier, despite our efforts to take it away, and she may have it for awhile because I'm tired.  Her favorite thing to eat right now is cottage cheese and apple sauce (yes, together).  She asks for it all day long.  She has it for lunch most days and if she doesn't have it for lunch she demands it for a snack when she gets up from her nap.  I guess there are worse things she could be eating.  Her hair continues to thicken but not lengthen - grrr.  It looks like it has a little bit of curl -we'll see if that stays.  She is talking more and more and is very precise about what she says, she usually says a name at the end of everything - it's not just thank you, it's thank you Lilah, or good night mommy, or see you later daddy.  She enjoys her nursery class and knows everyone's name.  She has started playing pretend more often and has the funniest conversations with her dolls.  She likes to be either a doggy or some other animal.  She loves to go outside and hates her carseat.  She is about the cutest monster you've ever seen.  She is getting more demanding and louder every day!
Lilah:  I think Lilah likes having everyone home from school, she always has someone to play with.  She has never had a problem standing up for herself so she doesn't let her older siblings push her around.  She is turning brown out in the sun and looks more out of place with her darker coloring every day!
Madeline:  Madeline was excited for school to be out but really missed going to school and seeing her teacher every day, but she is adjusting to being at home.  She likes to swim but prefers to be indoors and likes to play on her own (still) inside.  We have found since Madeline switched rooms that she is messy!  I didn't realize it was her causing the mess, but now we know!
Calvin:  Calvin is busy, busy, busy.  He loves to create things.  Most of the things he creates don't work, but we were impressed when he made a bow and some arrows and they work!  He has been shooting everything inside and out.  He is always looking for something to do.
Anna Elise:  Has continued to love to read and reads every evening.  She seems to be enjoying being at home and is a big help to me during the day.  She made a friend at school and misses her horribly.  We are trying to work it out so they can get together and play this summer.
Sally:  Things have shifted at work and I am busy again.  I am having to go into the office one day a week now and it will most likely get busier and be more often in the coming months.  I enjoy my work and I'm trying to not be resentful of the fact that it's taking up more of my time and pulling me away from my family.  Really, it's been a blessing that the past two years things have been slower and I've been able to do more from home and have gone into the office less.  I've been at home more with Celeste, I've been able to do more with my home and spend more time gardening, and making food from scratch, and doing other things - and I'm grateful I got that chance and now it's time to go back to working.
Mike:  Mike has been busy, but around more and we love it.  I'm thankful that although he is busy, he has been able to hire help so that he is around more and he is going to be able to watch the kids while I am in the office.  So far we haven't had to hire a babysitter and that is good!

 Celeste snagged these high heels from the other nursery teacher and wore them around

 a batch of bread and butter pickles

 We went to a pool party and had to wait for the rain and thunder to stop so we could get in and actually swim.  Celeste is soaking wet from the rain and dirty from chocolate frosting.

 the kids are having a good time in the pouring rain

   Calvin went off the high dive - so impressed!

Calvin's bow and lots of arrows made from a hanger, rubber band, tape, pencils, and nerf bullets

Calvin posing in our garden with his sunflower plants.  He planted those seeds at school.  He brought home tiny seedlings that we planted in the garden and they grew!  We are excited to have some sunflowers!