Backyard S'mores!

We have thoroughly been enjoying our backyard.  Swing set, pool, sandbox, hammock... what more could you want.  Oh I know!  A FIRE PIT!!! Bwahahahaha!!!  I've been wanting a backyard fire pit since we got our first house.  Well, I finally decided on a location and the fact that the rocks I had would work just fine so that's what we did yesterday.  We spent a good 4 hours fixing a friends sink and installing a new garbage disposal then came home and Cindus and I worked on digging out the pit while Daddy went to get Brutis (Kayda does NOT do well without that horse) and some firewood.  By the time he got back we just had to cover up our gravel "drain" and place the rocks around the outside.   Of course, we HAD to test it out last night since it was a nice cool evening.  We sat around our nice warm firm and roasted marshmallows on a sharpened stick since we didn't have our skewers!  It was a WONDERFUL evening.  Now I just need to get a tent and the kids can camp out in the backyard with Daddy!

Science Center with friends

Today was a special trip to the science center with my friend Cindus and her kiddo (who has a special bond with Dillon) Trenton.  Kayda got to spend an extra special day and spend the night with Grandma and Papa G.  My camera wasn't charged so it's a great thing Cindus brought hers.  Thanks for the pictures Cindus!

 The top of the parking garage...  Not many kids can say they have peed on the bushes at the top of a parking garage... Dillon can now.  When we were pulling the car out to leave he decided he had to pee, badly.  That was the solution.  That kid cracks me up!

 Three buddies!

 These kiddos were trying very hard to work together to move the wheel free duck.

 Laying in the cast of a dinosaur footprint!

 In the butterfly exhibit and the kids are more fascinated with the fish.  Maybe we should just go to walmart and stare in the tanks...

 Don't blow on the butterfly Carson!  That's all he wanted to do and Dillon was very protective of the butterfly that decided to be his buddy for a good 5 minutes or so. 

 Carson wouldn't go near the fountain without me and absolutely didn't want to get sprayed.  Of course one of the water jets came on unexpectedly and landed right on top of us!

 We stopped for ice cream on the long drive home to give the kids a break.  Yum!!!

It was a great day followed by some swimming at home.  I'm trying to convince Cindus that Trenton should spend the school year with me and Carson since we're down to just the two of us!  We'll see if that happens :)

Random Summer Fun

The first part of this little catch up session is Kayda's decision to play hair stylist.  She decided that she wanted some alone time and was hanging out up in her room.  When she came down I thought something looked different but I just could put my finger on it. 

 Then it hit me.  Notice the new bangs?  The short chunk on the right?  She decided to experiment with scissors.  

 She also lost her fifth tooth!

 So I scheduled an appointment with the hair stylist and this is what we got.  This girl is cute, nothing can make her anything less... but I think maybe I should've gone ahead and cut her hair myself this time.  Kayda fortunately is okay with it and is having fun in the new world of bangs.

Next on the list...

Grandma and Papa G have been going nuts cleaning out their garages and sheds.  They kept asking me "Do you want the pool?" I kept thinking "It's too deep for Carson and I remember it being a huge ordeal to set up..."  Finally I decided "sure we'll take it".  So they brought it down and were kind enough to help me set it up right next to the little pool.  The kids have been in it literally EVERY day since we put it up a week and almost a week ago.  They are constantly asking to go in.  It's been very helpful to help get them back up to speed in the water for swim lessons next month.

 Daddy's been making huge improvements in his water skills as well ;)

 Dillon's in there somewhere!

Lastly... We decided to go on a walk this evening as a family.  Carson has a fever and has been unhappy unless he's outside.  Kayda had just given Mingo a shower and blow dried him and I thought "Hmm... Kayda's really enjoying Mingo let's take him with us!"  So I fashioned up a bird leash and tricked Mingo into getting it around his ankle and off we went.

 He started out on the stroller with his treats. 

Then he was passed to person to person, often times with Kayda.  It was great fun!  Dillon wants to be in here too so I'll let you know that he was WAY ahead of us being super speedy on his scooter!

Shower with Mingo!

Mingo is a rainforest species.  He likes water, it's really good for his skin and feathers actually.  I have many memories of taking showers, even baths with him.  Today was a first for him.  He took a shower JUST with Kayda and Carson.  There was, of course, adult supervision (since he can get crabby).  Kayda and Carson both LOVED it!

  Mingo usually loves to be blow dried.  It made him a little nervous doing it in Carson's lap though (since Carson is very eager to touch Mingo, constantly).  Carson did a great job keeping his hands back.

Unfortunately after about a minute Carson decided he would rather have the hair dryer than the bird... so we switched.

I told Kayda stories from when I was a teenager and Mingo would occasionally sleep on my pillow.  Now she's decided that she wants him to spend the night in her room.  I'm not ready for that but she loves having "special time" just her and Mingo.  I put him on his perch with some munchies and then put it in her room so she can color, write stories, sing to him, etc just the two of them.