40 Wheelbarrow loads

 We had a truck deliver sand one rainy Friday, and the kids asked me, "Can we do it?"  They wanted to bring it all where it needed to go-I said "sure!" and I can push the wheelbarrow when you need me.

 I stood nearby weeding, but found that I didn't get that many weeds out between loads, unless they were reorganizing the work crew and arguing the details for a while.

 "Faster, faster!"

 "One more scoop!"  If they filled it too full I had a real hard time pushing it-sand is sure heavy!

 The loads were dumped int the hot tub.  (I know, I know, what a shame!  But it's got burst pipes and things underground, plus a drowning hazard, so that pushed us past our hesitancy.)

 When the loads were dumped, a few kids spread them to the centre of the tub.

 And a few other kids were there to watch, and to play with when they could sneak it.

"The pile is getting a lot smaller!!"

We got it almost all finished in the morning.  Now we have a sandbox again for all our old sand toys!  A few times the kids have dug a deep hole in it-and when they do, they can stand in it and it's even over Nathan's head!  But we discouraged that-so now they've got cars and sandbox related things going on-and they've been playing in it quite regularly still,   And now there's sand in their beds...sand by the entrance way...

Summer sun

 Nathan has been enlisting his siblings to help him build a fort.  It is "way back there" so company is a real asset to deter loneliness.

 They always make sure they are back by 3:30.

 "Is it snack time yet?"

So many flowers in bloom

and so many plants to admire!

 Hot days mean freezies are called for!  We've still got 3 left Oma (which, when cut in 2 is one for everyone!) for any last hot day. :)

My favourite days this summer (aside from camping) were days we stayed at home and didn't do anything too extra ordinary.

Entrepreneur

Collecting and cleaning golf balls in the hopes that all the work will pay off some day.

Summer is slipping away!

 Nathan the tailor outfitted him and Melanie with belts fit for working out in the backwoods making a tree fort up in high in the trees.

 I had mixed feeling about him just taking over my sewing machine, just like that.

We had swimming lessons again this summer.

 But not at home. :p

  Summer is turning it's back on us. 

It was a good summer, but busy.  Days at home were fewer than I'd like...but still, it was a good summer.  I even got quite a few things ticked off of my to do list (I highly recommend making lists that aren't too long and cumbersome. ;) 
Hope your summer has been good too!

Friday fun

 We started a new tradition for Friday evenings.

 Marshmellows!

 Try to get them golden all around, and not burnt!

 Jennifer and Evelyn aren't allowed to roast their own...but at least they get to eat them.

 Waiting for your turn...make your own entertainment...

  The three musketeers!

Evelyn picked up a musket, said "boom" and now is wondering what happened to Matthew.

Toothless Daniel

After waiting out a wiggly tooth for many a day, out it came!  Now Daniel is the proud displayer of a hole in his row of teeth.
And by now the next one is getting wiggly too!

New friends

 We finished up school this week!  The kids are happy to have the summer off (last year they didn't get much of a break) and so am I.  Time to be outside!

We had company arrive in early June, and we expect on Monday that they will move out.  Their own apartment, which was sublet while their departure was delayed from Oct to June, should be vacated by Monday.  We will definitely miss having our new friends so close.

 The company is Mom and four kids, aged 11 to 2, and isn't that just a perfect fit?  They are an enthusiastic bunch and are learning English very rapidly.  And learning to ride bikes giving swimming a shot (at another friend's pool) and just loving our easy life of luxury living.  Toys galore, space to roam, food in the cupboard and food to spare, even their one bedroom apartment, housing all 5, is such a massive place compared to their former home.  There is room to play in the house even!

 One really rainy day I pulled out movie.  A real rarity in our house to happen. The younger ones quickly tired of it and went to play, but the older ones all saw it through.

But of all the things to do, biking is still the all time favorite!

They will be moving into the suburbs where they will be closer to more of the church family, but also closer to transit and shopping, etc so that they can have more freedom to get around.  Another big change-and for all of us it will not be easy, for it was so easy to get used to living together.

wrong kid

I accused Jennifer of Evelyn of putting dirty smears all over the tub.