Weekend Fun

This past weekend we went camping at a KOA.  It's a little different experience, and I have to say I missed the hiking opportunities and beautiful scenery of the state parks.  But the kids had a blast, and it was fun trying out a yurt.  It came fully loaded with a queen size bed, bunk beds, a sleeper sofa, refrigerator, television, microwave, grill and most importantly a keurig.

There were so many activities for the kids.  They spent a lot of time on the jumping pillow.

Carter boy

Jumping Girl

There was also trick or treating.  Dawson was Harry Potter, Ava was Hermione Granger and Carter was an army soldier.

Later on that evening there was also a flashlight candy search, so we came home with loads and loads of candy.  

They had a ball at the playgrounds too.  There were four different playgrounds and each one had different features.  

A little horse made out of a tire

On Sunday we were outside so long that I got a little sunburn on my face.  We were outside pretty much from 9:30 in the morning until 7:30 at night.

They also had a blast riding the pedal cars around and around

and around.

Oh, the paddle boats.  Do I have a story about these.  It's a story better shared in person.

Then there is Dawson.  He found a plastic butter knife and decided he was going to use it to carve a match.  

Then it was back to reality on Monday.  Ava my sensitive little heart was crying Sunday night because she didn't want to leave.  I understand little one, we all wish we could be on vacation forever!

Carter's Last Football Game

On Saturday Carter had his last football game.  He was able to score a goal, and Mike got it on video!  Great season, Carter boy.  We can't wait to see you play next year!

Family Pictures

Our family pictures are in!  These are the first family pictures we've had taken by someone other than a tripod since Carter was a baby.  Although the temperature was very nice that day, it was a little windy.

Ava and Pirate Pete's Big Day

 On Saturday Ava finally had her long anticipated date.  In the morning Carter's football game was cancelled so we all went to Home Depot for the Kid's create workshop.   This month they made fire trucks.

Now that we have done a couple of these workshops, Ava and Dawson have gotten much better with the hammer.  Carter just goes to town without any help!

Hard at work

Then I took Ava for her date:  her very first build a bear experience.  She has just gotten wind from other kids at school that build a bear even exist.  So off we went!  It was pretty fun to pick out the bear and outfit.  They have so many cool accessories too, she was eyeing the sleeping bag and camo tent for her bear.  She also got a really cute backpack to carry the bear.

I love these individual moments with each child, it really helps me to focus on one child at a time and get into deeper conversations.  Not that every date has to be so elaborate or expensive, but just time spent together.  Love my little Avaroo!!  Thanks for the fun time!

Little Stories from this Week

Ava is very excited because she has Pirate Pete this week from school.  Each child gets a weekend with Pirate Pete and then writes about their adventures with him.  Ava took him to gymnastics tonight, but the exciting part about that is her coach reported she did her first cartwheel!  She hasn't been able to duplicate it at home, but we will keep practicing.

Now a funny Dawson drawing.  He has been very interested in Harry Potter and he drew a picture on the bottom of a Quidditch field.  In the middle he drew a picture of Harry Potter's scar.  On the top he wrote his name, but he turned the S into the lightning bolt scar.  Love it!

Finally, kids will be kids.  They love imaginary play, and here they are being spies.  They had gotten into some plastic cutlery in the basement and are using them as weapons.  Everyone has a couple strapped on their body.  Love the blue spy goggles, Carter!

Bowling Date with my Littlest Boy

Mike was out of town this week, which is a rarity for our family.  The kids saw him Monday morning before school, and he was home Wednesday night at dinner time.  Dawson had a really hard time with Daddy being gone.  He cried so hard when Mike left, and I could tell all day long that he was off.  He cried very easily and it was so hard to put him to bed Monday night.  He ended up sleeping with me.  So I decided to do something special and fun with him Tuesday afternoon.  Carter had a special date on Sunday so Doc will have one too!  (Ava and I will do something special soon, too!)

Anyways, I offered him lots of options but he insisted on bowling.  We had just gone two days prior, but he had apparently really enjoyed it.  It was so funny to go bowling with him, I had to take a video to capture it.  You can see his patented bowling on his butt move and then he just stops and drops to do a little spin.  Thankfully our special time together cheered him up and we made it through to Wednesday night.

Plus a little ice cream never hurts!

I'm so thankful for all the time I have with my sweeties.

Go Browns!! (say Mike and Carter)

On Sunday Mike got the opportunity to take Carter to a Browns game.  He was so excited when Mike told him, he started a countdown, asked daily when he was going and told everyone he knew.

Ha ha, I just had to laugh at this one, Mike looks so confused about how to take a selfie.

Carter had a great time.  He was so excited because Mike bought him a "really expensive" hat.  He loved getting shirley temples and pizza.

It looks like the boys had a great time!

At one point during this day I told Dawson the Browns were losing.  He said under his breath "the Browns are the worst!"  I looked at him smiling and he said "I almost said that!"