Scattered Thoughts

1.  A few days ago, Kate asked me why there were so many languages in the world.  Good question! - I know what FHE is going to be about this week.

We read the story of the Tower of Babel and talked about how we really get to heaven - by making good choices.  We then build our own tower (out of Duplos) and taped pieces of paper to each Duplo listing a good choice we can make.  The kids really enjoyed it and requested we leave it out for a few days.  Hope they learned something.

2.  I don't know how many times we have been to the Museum of Natural Curiosity without going to the children's gardens outside.  We've been to the gardens when they were just stand-alone, but not since they have been connected to the museum.  The kids really enjoyed the science playground - especially the zip line and Guard loved the fish pond.  We need to do that more!

3.  Some years ago, I found a craft kit to make your own bouncy balls.  At that second in space, I must have thought like it sounded fun and that I could be a fun mom and do it, so I bought it.  Yeah - it sat in my closet for years.  Because I'm not that fun.
Enoch finally found it.  After dusting it off, he asked if we could make some.  We had some extra time tonight, so we finally opened it up.
It was a bit of a process, but we all made one ball.  It took about 45 minutes.  And then, you have to keep track of your homemade ball and put it in a Ziploc bag so it won't dry out, harden and turn into a dangerous missile you can do damage with when you throw it to your sister.

 I'm thinking of throwing the rest of the box away.

Swimming Lessons

It's summer!  Time for swimming lessons!

My kids love being in the water, but being told what to do in the water - not so much.  They have a real love-hate relationship with swimming lessons.

Enoch did well in swimming - once he decided it was okay.  He is still trying to be comfortable with his head in the water.  He made great improvement and is doing great with his strokes.

 Kate had a great time taking swimming with Taylor and Brynne.   Her strokes are looking so good and she is probably my one who is most comfortable in the water.  She particularly enjoyed the water slide.

 Guard really enjoyed the water, until he had to go under.  We spent the first week just being okay with this.  He would tell Makiah, "Not today, no going under today," and then point back to the stairs.   By the end, he was a pro.  A cute story - Leah was scared of going under the water too.  After she went under one time, she started to cry.  She came back to sit on the step next to Guard.  He gave her a hug and told her it would be okay.  Sweet boy!

Another season of swimming lessons - it was great!

 

Pack Meeting at the Waterslides

 

 I'm not sure how long we have been having our July Pack Meeting at Classic Waterslides, but it has been years.  This year was our last.  Enoch will be graduating from Cub Scouts on his next birthday and we will also be in a different ward.  It was another bittersweet moment.  You have a lot of those when you know that things will be your last of something.  It comes with moving, so it was our decision, but it still tugs at your heartstrings.
We did have a wonderful time!  I didn't get a lot of pics of Enoch and Kate because they were off doing their thing on the big slides with their friends.  Guard was cute enough to keep me busy.  He's like a baby alligator, just floating under the surface in the little pool.  It was his favorite thing to do.

Everyone had a great time - sliding, being with friends, eating all the hot dogs, chips and soda they could.  It was a beautiful afternoon.  I'm glad that Cub Scouts do this...I probably wouldn't take my kids to the water slides without the extra push!

Guard's Selfies

Does my three-year-old really know how to take selfies?  Apparently so.  I don't know why I am so surprised, but for some reason, this just baffles me.
Guard's go-to entertainment at Costco is my phone.  Usually I find pictures of the aisles, products and a bunch of pictures of random people I don't know, but today I found Guard.

Canyon with the Randalls

 

 We spent a lovely day in American Fork Canyon with the Randall family.  My kids absolutely being in the woods and this was a perfect day for them.
They threw rocks in the river,

explored and found treasures,

and went for walks around the campground.

 It was a full day, full of fun and family.