Blackberries

Master Rhett

 

Rhett will be entering Kindergarten in a couple weeks. He enjoyed preschool and doing workbooks at home. Recently we have practiced high frequency sight words and 3 letter rhyming words. He can read simple sentences. He is ready for school and I hope it will be a great experience for him. 

Annie Camp

Caramel attended an theater camp where she learned about the play Annie. The nonprofit organization is called At the Ridge. The camp was held at Kentridge High School, the high school Caramel will attend. Everyday for a week Caramel enjoyed going to learn, sing, and dance. A girl from school and church was in her group. The camp did a little performance for the parents on Friday. It was fun to see her on stage and there was some choreography while they sang Annie songs. After the camp was over, Caramel and I went to the the Annie play put on by At the Ridge. Caramel enjoyed seeing some of her teachers in the show. It was a great play to see. Caramel, Rhett, and even Myles will sing Annie songs. We have watched two different Annie movies too.

Camellia wearing outfit made by Grandma Wanda Miller

Anthony's mom was cleaning out the basement and we got some of Anthony's things when he was younger. This cute little outfit was made by Grandma Wanda Miller for Anthony. We got to visit GM recently playing at a park in downtown Issaquah on a sunny afternoon. Had Camellia wear the outfit and GM remembered making it. 

All Four at the Zoo

Enjoying the zoo on a cooler day.

Motorcycle in the Garage

We have new renters in our Cascade house. The old renters bought a house and we stored their motorcycle for await in the garage. All the kids were pretty excited about it. When the renters picked it up, Rhett got to ride along side of the motorcycle on his little motorcycle. Myles ran and got his balance motorcycle after the loudness of the real motorcycle didn't bother him anymore. They went up and down the street a couple times. Pretty cute.

Curly Top Myles

Mister curly finally got a hair cut. It was getting pretty long and everywhere. The top left picture is when Anthony took Myles for a treat at the ice cream shop. The top right picture Myles is borrowing Anthony's sunglasses in the van. The bottom picture Myles is relaxing on the floor in the kitchen. For the first weeks of July, we all took turns getting sick. There were several day Myles would make this portable bed and hang around in the kitchen. Myles is usually never this low energy.

Ice Caves

Friday, July 3rd, we headed north to the Ice Caves in Granite Falls. It is a trip I like to do every summer. Last summer we didn't make it. So even though it was going to be in the 90s, we went hiking. Of course we didn't get up there as early as wanted but we made it. Before going to Granite Falls, we made the first stop at Boom City near Marysville to pick up fireworks. It was a tight squeeze with all the gear we packed and the fireworks. Buying the fireworks was the highlight of the day for the kids.

Once fireworks were packed, we headed for the forest. It was hot, but not too long of a hike and mostly shade. Once you make it close to the cave, there is a cold breeze that feels amazing. The ice caves were melting like crazy, lots of rain inside. The kids enjoyed the hiking break and touching the cold ice on the side. A person died a couple years ago so we stayed near the edges. Sadly, two days after our visit a mother of four died from the falling ice. Think we will stay even farther away next year. Going down the mountain was much fast. Anthony had Camellia on his back. I had to carry Myles for awhile and he even fell asleep for a bit. Near the end of the hike is the river. We stopped there to cool off. Myles was all the way in the water quickly. Rhett cooled off a lot too. Everyone else it was just the feet.

Back in the van, we headed for Lake Stevens. We went to the boat launch swim area. I had been there when I was younger. I didn't realize how small the swimming area was, it seemed so big to me when I was younger. It is called Willard Wyatt Park. The kids enjoyed swimming. Everyone got in the water it was so hot. We grabbed Burger King and ate at the park area. It was evening by the time we got home. It was a full day.

One Extra Large Hammock

Anthony bought a hammock and then a little later a hammock stand. It is interesting to have more than one person on it. Lots of arguing if Caramel, Rhett, or Myles are on it trying to get situated with out falling off. Guess it is good for lessons in balance. It is lovely to go out for a swing in the shade on hot days.

Rhett and Camellia

Camellia and Rhett are good little buddies together. Rhett likes to give Camellia a ride in the jeep. Camellia thinks it is hilarious even when it looks like she is going to get whiplash.

We were given some soccer cones and Rhett likes to make soccer courses. You have to be quick though before Camellia picks them all up.

Little Miss Camellia

 

Camellia is wearing Caramel's clothes. It is fun to unpack the clothes and see cute clothes and clothes that go to the DI pile. Funny how styles and even my taste in baby clothes can change. Caramel enjoys hearing how a dress or shirt was hers when she was a baby.

Camellia is doing those things her older siblings did at her age. Finding bigger shoes and trying them on is a fun activity for Camellia. She loves to feed herself and stand on the table when she is done. Camellia usually gets two baths a day, one for food, another for dirt.

Camellia loves to carry around a little Cinderella baby in her armpit. She loves to say, "No." She is turning out to be a screamy little thing when she doesn't get her way like having to sit in the stroller and not be carried. One of her best frequently words is "Minecraft." Yes, the sibling influence is strong in this one. She can climb up on the rocking horse and ride like an expert, holding on to the handles and standing on her two feet on the saddle.

Swimming this Summer

I don't snap many pictures when large amounts of water are involved. One reason I don't want to break the camera. Another reason and the main one, I have to make sure no one is drowning and with 4 kids that is a task.

We have swam at Henry Moses Aquatic Center a couples times. It is perfect for my kids' age range. I even enjoyed the water slides with Caramel a couple times. Everyone enjoys it and it is close to home just in Renton.

We went to Wild Waves in Federal Way with Grandpa Dan and it was okay to do once. Caramel and Rhett had fun, but it was a long day for Myles and Camellia. We started with the rides, mainly ones Myles could go on. Then went to the pirate splash area then the wave pool. At the very end, Caramel and Rhett went with Grandpa Dan down the big slides on tubes.

We made it up to Green Lake wading pool with Grammy Pam in north Seattle earlier in the summer. The kids enjoyed playing in the water even though it is only a couple feet deep.

A new place this year is Lake Wilderness in Maple Valley. We have gone there several times, even in the evening with Anthony when the weather was in the 90s.

Love summer swimming!

Bike Riding

The kids and I have biked and walked the Cedar River trail a few times in different areas. I enjoy starting at a bridge being constructed and going to Liberty park. Myles loves to point out the backhoe. It is an easy ride for Caramel and Rhett, but draining for Myles. So I have the double stroller with Camellia and a seat for Myles when he is ready.

One new section we tried, I brought my bike with Camellia on the back. It was a great ride with blackberries and the river to explore. The returning ride was difficult for Myles, so Caramel and Rhett had to wait at the van for awhile.

Riding to Fairwood elementary school is an easy ride for everyone. Myles can do it quickly and even goes down the huge hill the school has. He will repeat, "go slow" as he breaks down the hill. The playground picture is at Fairwood elementary school.

Thank you, Auntie Charity

Auntie Charity got the kids some fun shirts from Target. Caramel got a Rainbow Dash. Rhett a Ninja Turtle. Myles a Mickey Mouse. Camellia a Frozen. Caramel and Rhett drew thank you cards.

Sibling Sandwich

Caramel wanted everyone piled on her to make a sandwich. First two layers were easy. Third, a little wiggly and giggly. Last layer wanted nothing to do with it and was crying away from the chaos.

Myles Bubble Splash Birthday

Myles is 3 years old. He is so crazy and full of energy. Myles just loves to make messes. He loves to dump buckets of toys, fill his mouth too full with food, spill liquids all over the floor, and yell "wait for me" when Caramel and Rhett are ahead of him.

Myles had a couple friends over to celebrate his birthday. Caramel was the hostess and Rhett a little helper too. Caramel had a checklist of what to do at the party. Bouncy house for 20 mins, snacks for 5 mins, cake and singing for 5 mins, open presents 5 mins, slide into bubbles 10 mins, blow snake bubbles 10 mins, Caramel blow bubbles 5 mins, trampoline 15 mins, more snake bubbles and slid 10 mins, and end with bouncy house. Caramel and Rhett enjoyed making snack trays to pass out food at the party. Caramel would want to move to the next activities, but I would explain to her if everyone is still entertained there was no need to.

Myles got a new slide for outside, a tool car with screw driver, a monster truck and big and small construction trucks. Myles loves playing in water and construction. He enjoyed the Happy Birthday song and was all smiles on his birthday.

Myles thought it was hilarious when Camellia would put back her head and the birthday hat would fall off. the best laughter comes from siblings or of course when someone pretends to get hurt.

Jumping Roping Camp

Caramel enjoyed a jumping roping camp at the Renton Community Center. On the last day the kids and the teacher put on a show for the parents. The kids did single jumping and jumping with a partner and jumping in with a long rope. It was very entertaining with lots of variety. The teacher showed her skills jumping to the song Cotton-Eyed Joe, she could jump super fast and whip the rope around with one hand crazy quick catching it. Caramel knew one girl there that was in her Cross and Crown preschool class. The boys enjoyed Ice drinks and chicken nuggets while waiting for Caramel's class to get over. Caramel got a new rope and Rhett picked one up at Goodwill. Rhett is slowing figuring out jump roping. Caramel loves doing tricks especially wrapping the rope around her leg and jumping with one leg.