Summer Project

The preschool had a water table that had Lego table top.  But they really wanted to play with the water so they were looking at making or buying a water table.  That can get expensive.  I suggested that they just make a new frame for the Lego top.  And then... I volunteered to make it.  Who do I think I am?  Keri Payne?!

Part 1: The pieces cut, sanded and stained.

 Part 2: Assembly.  This took a number of tweaks to get right.  The first time through, my neighbor, who it turns out likes to do a little word work here and there, came over and said "That's not square.  You've made a rhombus."  It was all very loving but I was a little discouraged.  I made a few adjustments, trimmed a few ends and then finally- it worked.  

Well it worked good enough for a bunch of 4 year olds.

 And then just for kicks I put this together.  Do you know what it is?

 Ta Da!

 And just for kicks- the sunset from our back yard.  Mmmmm summer days!

Times have changed!

The camera phone really stinks but these boys were having a good time!  Made me think of the last post in December with Rachel and Wyatt.

Soccer Camp

I can't believe how fun this was!  The three oldest kids are going to be playing soccer this fall and since it is Allie's first time and she is 9 going on 10, she will probably be the only one on the team who has never played.  We thought soccer camp might be a good experience for her to get her ready.

I had told the kids a little of what to expect- learning techniques, doing drills, practicing different skills.  On the first morning when we were getting ready to go, we had this conversation:

Wesley: Are we going to do nails today?

Mom: Ummmm, what?

Wesley: Nails.  Nails!  Will we do nails at soccer camp?

Mom:  (long pause...) OH!  You mean DRILLS!  

We have laughed about it all week.  And it was excellent!  The coaches are from the UK.  The kids ended up with the two girl coaches, both from Scotland.

 Luke was so scared and in tears when we first got there.  They ended up moving Wesley up an age group and Luke down and age group so they could be together.  That made everything better.  They LOVED every bit of it every day.     

Pirate Eye- Aaaarrrgh

Look who has Pink Eye.  Which then turned into "Pink Eyes" has Rachel called it. She came down with it too.  Ugh. I hate Pink Eye.  Rachel woke up crying when she couldn't open her eyes.  "I have Pink Eyes!"

Massive Head Wound Harry

Luke came into the house yesterday screaming and crying with a LOT of blood all over his hand.  I hurried him  over to the sink so I could wash his hand and see where the wound actually was.  And that was when I realized it was not his hand that was bleeding.  

I had a brief moment of pre-panic hysteria.  And then I grabbed the camera to take a picture because it was kind of cool.  Head wounds bleed.  A LOT.

He was of course perfectly fine and not amused that I thought a picture would be a fun thing to do at that moment.  The bleeding did not last long and we lovingly called him Head Wound Harry the rest of the day.  In case you don't know the SNL reference:

http://www.hulu.com/watch/4155

Our neighbors heard about the incident and brought Luke (and Wesley who dropped the rock on Luke's head and therefore may be in danger of retaliation) a little gift.

Allie and her Friend Emma

And Wyatt too.

At the zoo

With a thousand kids.  Parents are out of town.  Other parents that is.