Coleman, Carter and Daddy went on a little fishing trip just down to the local park.
Coleman had to build a map or 3D model of his room. I suggested Legos (I think we have enough to spare...) and the boys (a general term here, that also includes my biggest boy, Jake) were off to become builders.
Here's the tour:
In case you haven't noticed, he's Jar Jar Binks. And I only remember that because I googled it!
A couple of weekends ago, we escaped the oven and went up to Flagstaff with about 13,000 other people to see the Cardinals practice and try to get an autograph of the Fitz. He happens to be Coleman's favorite player.
The wait to get on the field to wait some more.
The huddle on the field- Coleman, Carter and Hunter.
The line- they stopped garanteeing an autograph at 75, we were #76-79. We took the risk.
At least there was good company. Jake and I:
My brother and I:
Love this shot of the dudes:
Finally! We had arrived at the front of the line.
Love this one with the three boys, Coleman, Carter and Hunter:
Look at Fitz's face...
He autographed 'Larry #11'.
In awe...
Future Cardinal QB? The kid has an arm!
This week was a mix of activities, whatever came along, we did!
I saw these Cars 2 activity pages at teachmama and thought the boys would enjoy them since we had just done the movie.
There was a number dot-to-dot, matching and a maze.
Later we played Zingo by Think Fun
Here's us in action:
Then because it's 4th of July weekend, I wanted to change out our learning board and learn about the good 'old USA! I got the printables from 1+1+1=1.
The board in progress... we still have to add our graphing activity.
The books we plan on reading tonight.
Chik-Fil-A's kids' meals came with these great little books about the different regions of the USA but they are no longer available.
We ended our week with a trip to a local chocolate factory and since it involves chocolate, needs its own post all its own. That is a 10 lb. bar of chocolate she is holding!
If you are looking for other ideas- check out the link up for the Smart Summer Challenge.
Have a blessed July 4th weekend!
This weekend we went took the boys, along with Papa and my bro's family to see very anticipated Cars 2 movie. The premise was a James Bond Cars movie for kids. I enjoyed the different parts of the world the movie took me- London, Tokyo and Paris. The relationship between the characters was great and provided some laughs, especially with Mater taking more of a center stage role.
{Coleman's organized car collection}
I didn't enjoy all the guns and drinks used by the Cars themselves. I'm not anti-gun or anything but I didn't agree that it had a place in a G-rated Disney/Pixar movie. We brought a six year old and two four year olds to the movie and I think much of the movie went over their heads. They were too interested in watching the cars, boats, planes against the colorful backdrops of international cities.
The movie isn't all about the guns and stuff, but if you don't agree with guns in kids movies or your kid gets scared easily, or is a younger age, then this movie might not be for you. I'm not sure if this will be a movie that my kids ask to watch over and over, I think the storyline was a too complicated although the visual aspect of the movie was great.
As for me and my family, the boys were very happy playing car races this morning. I'm pretty sure no one got shot or stunned in the process.
Actually yesterday was my 100th post! I have been blogging officially for 5 months now, unofficially for years with family website (remember those?). I thought it was fitting that my 100th post was a Tot School one, since that's really what got me started with this blog.
In honor of this milestone and it is one because I can't even stick with an exercise routine for longer than a few weeks, not that I'm exercising at all right now... but I digress. To celebrate my 100th post, I wanted to share why blogging has made me a better mama.
For starters, when moments like these happen...
Oh yes, that's my brand new tile floor.
And that's the little boy blue who pulled the paint can down from the counter (apparantly the lid was not on tight enough, ahem). He has it around his mouth but he didn't eat it, thank goodness.
Instead of coming home 8 months pregnant to newly decorated floors, I definitely would have blogged about and laughed about it, well blogging yes, laughing, maybe.
I went into Coleman's room one day to find this...
Luckily it was his laptop and not mine! I must have thought it a little bit funny because I did take a picture. Yep, would've blogged about this little mishap with the baby powder.
Those are moments I captured with the camera, but didn't capture with words. I like looking back and remembering the narration of life right at that moment.
Like finding this arranged on the floor one morning by my other son, Carter.
I was too shocked to scream so I just turned this into a learning opportunity:
Blogging has made me a better mother because instead of screaming, pulling my hair out or getting angry- I just get my camera and think, oh man, this is going to be a good post.
I can't wait to see what 'blogging opportunities' Amelia's going to give me.
Anybody else ever have moments like these?
Let your kids unload the dryer and build a skyscraper of clothes (their words, not mine).
You know I could have had this laundry folded earlier in the day, but then I would have denied my two wonderful boys the opportunity to exercise their creativity. Thanks to my contractors, now I literally have a mountain of laundry to fold tonight. At least I'll be doing with a smile.
Sometimes you just need to put your feet up, watch a movie and eat popcorn and smoothies for dinner.
