Summer Fun!

This summer we've been busy trying to stay cool. Here are a few things we've been up to.

School is Out

Just before preschool ended for Ethan, the school held a family picnic day. The kids got to run around on the playground, ride bikes, eat snacks, etc. We had a great time with our little guy.

For the past 5 months, Ethan has been working to earn a trip to Chuck E. Cheese's. When he behaved well at school and church, he would earn marbles. Once his marble jar was filled up, he could go to Chuck E. Cheese's. He was so excited when he finished filling his jar in the last week of school. He cashed in his marbles and we had a great time.

Ethan at Chuck E. Cheese's.

Tri, Tri Again
Last year Blake trained to do his first triathlon. There is a race down at Long Branch at the shore where you do a swim, bike, run. Unfortunately, the weather last year was incredibly foggy so they had to cancel the biking portion of it. Blake was so bummed. So, this year he did attempt #2 with much more success. He was able to do all three legs of the race and did terrific! We're so proud of you Blake!!

Blake on the boardwalk just after finishing the race.

After the race, we met up with some friends for a day at the beach. I am SO glad the babies are old enough now to be able to play in the sand and enjoy the beach. Taking them last year was way too tough. We had a great time (with the exception of the twins SCREAMING for an hour and a half on the drive home. Ugh!!).

Ethan and Blake play in the waves. Ethan could not get enough of this!

Addison & Grant playing in the tent.

We finally bit the bullet and invested in a tent for the kids to have a place to get cool. I am SO glad that we did. If anyone needs a recommendation for a good beach tent, I'd definitely recommend this one - the Sun Smarties Family Beach Cabana by One Step Ahead. There are no poles so it just pops up and it stores easily in a little backpack. So great!

Backyard Fun
We've also been trying to stay cool at home so we don't have to load up kids for a day at the beach. For anyone with kids, you know what I'm talking about...packing diaper bags, dealing with tired, grumpy kids, etc. So, we've invested in a few cheap yard toys which Ethan just loves.

Ethan on the slip 'n slide.

Ethan playing in his new blow up pool, courtesy of Grandma Eve. Thanks Grandma!

Running through the sprinkler. Yes, my child is deathly afraid of getting his face wet so this is the apparatus he insists on wearing to run through the sprinkler. What a kid!

Here is a group of Ethan's friends having fun in the water at a play group at our house last week. (L-R: Jordan Slingerland, Ethan, Cole Cabatic, Connor ?, and PJ Rinaldi)