End of Summer

A few August activities that we fit in before school started included...

Home Depot Build

This month's building project was a moving truck-- so fun! Cody and Jaden are always most interested in the vehicle projects, so we made sure to attend this one. We hadn't attended a building event in quite a while (mostly because Lowe's ended their program... bummer!). It was fun seeing how much Cody and Jaden have grown in their independence since the last time we went.

Jaden and Cody aren't usually interested in painting their projects, but this time they decided to add the paint. I'm happy they did so, as the final products looked so much nicer. I mean, really, have you ever seen a beige Penske truck? ;) Once we got home, Jaden and Cody decided to add license plates to their trucks as well.

IGI Playground

One week, Kim and I used a Groupon to try out this indoor playground with our boys. The boys loved all the places to climb, the slides, and the ball pits. Their favorite activity of the day was filling up the trampolines with balls and then jumping amid the bouncing balls. These boys sure enjoy their cousin time!

Splashpad

We've enjoyed trying out several new splash pads this summer. This one was yet another new one for us-- the splash pad in Aunt Sarah's neighborhood. She had invited all of the cousins to join Abby and Ben for a morning trying out this splash pad. We loved it... so much so that we even continued playing through a light rainfall. :)

Jaden, Ryan and Cody liked climbing on the nearby play structures too. We loved Sarah's idea to visit this neighborhood gem!

In many ways, it will be hard to say goodbye to the freedom of these relaxed summer days. It's been a good summer!

Jaden Day

Grammy and Papa planned "Jaden Day" just a couple days after Cody's special day. Jaden's excitement for this day had been building for quite a while, so he was thrilled when his day finally arrived. Here is Jaden's explanation of his day:

We're taking a picture by the garage.

I was playing Go Fish with Grammy.

I was putting my books out. I got 4, and Grammy got 3, and Papa got 3.

I was getting my snack ingredients out.

I was putting in chocolate chips. I also put in Sour Patch Kids.

This is my ingredients and my snack. It tasted really good.

I was thinking about what I wanted to do with sand.

Papa was making some of the castle and I was watching.

This is our castle. I was the one who made the inside, I think.

We went swimming.

I was doing the back float. I had my feet tucked in... see, straight? I think I did that for 123 seconds.

(side note from Mommy: Jaden isn't exaggerating here. Grammy and Papa said that Jaden truly did float that long!)

I was sliding down the slide at the splash pad.

I was cuddling in the chair.

I went into the other pool and dived down with the rings at the bottom.

I was watching Veggie Tales.

I had peanut butter and jelly for lunch.

I was making my sand cross. It was fun.

It looked good.

I played 20 Questions with Papa. This is a picture that Grammy took.

I was doing the 100 piece puzzle. It was hard.

The puzzle was the same length as me.

I am doing cars upstairs.

I was reading some books with Grammy.

I was going into the driveway, sticking my head out of the window.

I thought Jaden Day was good. I liked that we could go to the pool.

What a treat it was for our boys to be pampered like this with individual time and attention! Thanks again, Grammy and Papa, for your creativity, time, and love for our boys!

Cody Day

Before school started, Grammy and Papa planned special days with each of their grandchildren, one at a time. Our boys felt so honored to have individual attention from Grammy and Papa. They were so excited to choose whatever they wanted to do for a whole day! Cody came home from his "Cody Day" full of smiles and was eager to show us the pictures of what he did. Here are the pics with his own commentary:

We are taking a picture in the front yard.

We are building a sand castle.

I was doing a moat around it.

I was putting sand into a little sand thing.

I'm making my snack.

I was putting my snack ingredients in. I put in Lucky Charms too.

I was holding up my snack and my snack recipe.

I am watching Veggie Tales Jonah. It was good.

I'm swimming in the pool.

That's another pool picture. I'm swimming to Papa.

I'm cuddling with Grammy to get dry.

Oh, I was standing in the car at the roof. I thought that was good!

I made a pattern at lunch. Grammy gave me some marshmallows and goldfish.

I was playing 20 Questions with Papa.

I played Hi Ho Cheerio.

I was playing in the backyard, swinging that ball around.

I was building Cootie Bugs.

I'm making my sand cross. It was good because it was made out of sand.

I'm building a 100 piece puzzle. That was my first time building a 100 piece puzzle.

The puzzle is the same height as me.

I think Cody Day was good because Grammy and Papa planned fun things for me, and I got to pick which things to do. 

Thanks so much, Grammy and Papa, for making Cody feel so special on this day!