Splash Pad

 Above was Memorial Day weekend.  We just went to the splash pad for a little while.

Today we "watched" some of Cole's older friends.  We went to the splash pad and the oldest boy noticed I was trying to get a shot of them all under one of the buckets so he hoisted Cole up and the other two crowded around him.  This is priceless!  Cole loves these kids and we are so blessed that they are also homeschooling and he has a lot of opportunities to be around kids of different ages and learn from them!  It was a great day!

Ice Cream Man

 Growing up on a dead end road in the middle of a more rural suburb of Cleveland, Ohio, I was not accustomed to ice cream trucks.  I remember one day when I was in my teens we actually had an ice cream truck drive down our road.  Perhaps the driver was lost, but I will never forget it.  We got something off that truck, for certain!

 While Cole will be no stranger to ice cream trucks based on where we live right now I just couldn't resist reliving that nostalgia today and so he got an Oreo cookie ice cream bar.  I think he pronounces it Owo.  A little thank you to Uncle Chris for introducing Cole to Oreos in general.  He asks for them whenever he sees them at the store :).

Once it started dripping and Cole started getting a little messy he was done with the ice cream sando.  I wasn't too sad...it was quite tasty!

Playdate and Splash Pad - Summer has started!

 We had some friends over yesterday and their children.  It seemed like I invited one and then I kept growing the list!:)  I love how the two older kids are squirting each other!  So fun to see them interact!

 They were all cracking up every time Cole's airplane zipped down the track and made a noise.  So funny to see them all laughing.

 Today we went to the splash pad/park where they have a summer reading program every Thursday.  Cole had no interest in sitting and listening to a story, but he loved splashing once he figured it out.  He held the lollipop he got at the bank the entire time!

 The look!

He's so serious.  He was really into it and only paying attention to what he was doing and nothing else...only occasionally making sure I still was around.  Yes, he wore his clothes in.  We had a swim suit, but he wasn't interested in it and had already gotten wet and I had a change of clothes...made for some cute pictures:).  We met some friends there, too!

Full Manual and the Crazy Little Hooligans!

I finally forced myself to step out on a limb and stop taking pictures in auto and actually learn my camera better.

I am glad I did.  I like these pics and I am sure they are only the beginning of better photography from me.

Cole is saying "Neigh Neigh".

Playing outside today.

Look at the plane!

We had our Sunday School class Ice Cream Social on Saturday at the Keens house.  The kids were all fired up.  Avery (front) is the oldest kid of all of our kids.  She was the leader.  Cole actually would participate and then come to me either crying or wanting me to pick him up...how un-Cole.

After the rumpus, we all went outside to let the kids swim.  Two 3-yr-old girls and Two-yr old boys!

Silly grins!

Such buddies!

I just love their expressions...trying to figrue out what the older girls are up to!

The girls are gone!  We shall do our thing!

5 kids...one small pool.  It is so funny.  Look at Cole's expression.  He was just in a funky mood! Funny boy!

VBS Crafts and Summertime Fun!

Here are the crafts Cole made at VBS while I was teaching.

Cole and Mommy before church on Sunday.  We matched so we needed a picture.

Kolbi showing us how to slide.

Cole's new outfit and cutie pie smile!  The outfit is for his 2 year picture, but he loves the shirt so much he had to wear it!

Going down the slide.

We brought ice cream and cones for the older kids and they loved them!

They were a sticky mess!

Eating the ice cream.

Kolbi eating her ice cream.  Cole had given his up.

Checking out the yellow lab at the neighbor's house (Keen's neighbors).

Look at the leaves, Mommy!

Watching the leaves.

The cocker spaniel puppy the Keen's neighbors had.  She was a very sweet puppy.  No nipping.  Kolbi was terrified, but Cole had no fear (not such a good thing, either).

Callie.  She is now walking!  Love this little girl!