social

Sunday we went to a back to school ice cream social at the park. They encourage community and work hard at connecting families. It was a fun event (as usual). My kids enjoyed playing with their friends and eating ice cream - from the ice cream truck!

Lisa set ip a people bingo game. 25 squares of information for the kids to find. Things such as: find the head of school. who has an August birthday. who lived in another country. It was a great way for kids (and parents) to connect with people they otherwise would not.

Thanks Lisa!!!

b.i.t

Panera has a program for kids called Bakers in Training. If you have a group of 10 or more you can come in for a behind the scenes look, help bake bread (and take it home), eat a cookie and drink milk all for $5! The kids had fun going in the back of the restaurant. The cookies and bread were delicious too!

They are the cutest bakers in the world!

shaving cream

Today Micah came over to play. After playing on the water slide we got out the shaving cream. I love this activity. It's messy but it's creative AND keeps them busy.

the magic house

Today we headed to the Magic House with Sam and Eli. We had a lot of fun.

We use to be members and visited once a month- it is definitely made for children 2-6ish. Now the kids are on the edge of not loving it. Even the "older activities" are not enough to keep us coming back all the time. Once (or twice) a year is plenty.

Sam got soaked...





Reagan cracks me up!

6 flags

Today we hit 6 Flags for the first time as a family. We decided to wait til the end of the summer to use our free reading tickets in hopes that the weather would drop out of the 90 degree range but no such luck. It was terribly HOT and sunny. When we walked in we bought one of those large soda cups for $13 and refilled it ALL DAY LONG. I have never had so much soda in my life (we even filled it with water every so often!)

The first ride we came across was American Thunder. At first glance it looked like the Whizzer (at Great America) which is a m.i.l.d roller coaster. I rallied the troops and we jumped in line. As soon as we were released from the gate I knew we were in for trouble. We shot out of there like a cannon. After the first hill/drop all I remember is fear, screaming and praying (that my children would not hate me). I looked at Carsyn and Luke (who were with me) and I had to immediately look away. Then I looked back at Reagan and Dale and I knew I had just thrown her under the bus. She was was terrified. The ride finally came to a screeching halt and we disembarked. I have never been so happy be standing on solid ground (I am getting OLD). I am fairly certain I can say the same for my kids. Reagan, I am certain, will never ride a roller coaster again.

After that amazing introduction to 6 Flags we ended up on the antique cars. That settled us all down and we enjoyed the park for 8 gloriously hot hours...

The troops (Andrea and the boys joined us for the day)...

The kids LOVED the Log Flume...
The Scooby ride (R hated it)...

This was more her speed...