Perfect Playground Fun

Yesterday we stopped at a park we hadn't been to in awhile on the way to the Children's Museum.  We enjoyed the time outside before it got super hot. 

Yesterday morning was one of those perfect times where the kids all played so, so great together.  At the park, they all found fun, different activities that they were very proud of accomplishing (Andy - climbing across the spider web, Jack - climbing the mountain wall, and Emily - climbing up the slide steps)  And then at the Children's Museum, they were all so sweet to each other, taking turns and using their imaginations together (Jack and Andy were cooking hot dogs in their diner while Emily and I baked cookies at our bakery), they were firemen, construction workers, and artists.  I have great new artwork up on the walls for summer now!  Of course they usually get along well, but it was one of those times I wish Andy would stay young forever, because I know maybe next summer it'll be different.  So I'll appreciate these easy, fun days as they come! 

A Summer Morning at the Nature Preserve

We went to Buboltz Nature Preserve this morning and it was wonderful (until the very end - but I'll get to that)  The kids are getting so easy - even Emily hiked the whole 1.5 miles.  First we stopped at the Nature Center to get our maps.  We stopped at Turtle Pond, where we saw the biggest turtle we've ever seen there.  A HUGE snapping turtle.  (plus about 20 other painted turtles) 

 Emily loved watching them swim in the water!

 Andy found some baby frogs hopping across the trail - they were so tiny.

 Totally unprompted - they just went up and grabbed Emmie's hands.   She was getting a little tired by this pont

 Andy wanted to be the photographer, and Jack was in a picture-taking mood.  We took advantage of it,

 Cute brothers...

 Pretty tuckered out! 

All was well, we were playing at a little tower with the ramp (about 200 feet from our car) but then Jack got stung by a bee when he was running.  It seemed to really hurt him and we got home as as quickly as possible for some medicine.  He needed about a half an hour of down time on the couch, and then he was ready to go to the ice cream social at the park.  Their sundaes were huge! It was a fun day!

Fun in the Water Fountains

It's definitely summer here in Neenah!  Yesterday was over 90, and the kids loved playing in the water fountains to cool off.  All of them went in the really high water sprays - even Emily!  They were soaked :)   The boys had some really silly poses...

 And Emily wasn't too worried about her lack of shirt when I was getting her into dry clothes...

We've been staying busy here this summer.  Graham Family reunion in Delafield, Strawberry picking, t-ball, softball, kiddie camp, quick Door County trip, Neenah, Fun Run, swimming, and more!  I've really got to get caught up on the blog...