We had a last family get together with the Kunz family. They were our FIRST "couple friends" when moving to Winston-Salem. We had date nights, movie nights, pizza nights, and so much fun together. Then we had kids. JUST KIDDING! Haha. We have been friends since before our total of 5 children existed. It's incredible to walk through parenthood with such wonderful people and we are so grateful for them. They are moving to DC for Derek's fellowship and then hopefully coming back to Winston Salem...well, we can hope at least.
Milestones
Grace's 1st library card! When you turn 4 you are completely legal to rent books at the local library...Grace couldn't contain herself. The actual card will come in the mail in a week, but she could still check out two books of her "own". When explaining this to Jimmy later on she said, "daddy, these are my books from the library. I got check two out. But they are not mine and I have to take good care of them and bring them back." Precisely!
Wesley had fun at the library as well and was easily the loudest person in attendance.
Grace has been asking to do soccer since dance class was NOT a hit...after the first dance class in January she was asking for a soccer class. Well, it came and she had a great time! They didn't actually do any soccer drills the first session but instead played "listening games". It was cute!
I was in good company at the practice. Wesley and I parked in the shade and he ate a picnic dinner, read some books, and watched sissy.
I figured she'd pass out afterwards...it was a hot day!
Childhood delivery!! Apparently the ice cream truck has been coming to our neighborhood for years...what??? I heard the music today and was probably more excited than anyone...
Wesley enjoyed the Sonic ice cream...such memories!
For Fun
Jimmy had a stint of work where he left Friday morning and did not return until Monday. He had two call shifts and a moonlighting shift in between so he was GONE...mom to the rescue! Memere came to help out and we had so much fun! Errand running, park playing and shopping occurred. I even got a babysitter (Emily we love you!) to come one night so I could take mom out to dinner. Fun times!
Play date with friends! Grace and Wesley are pictured with Avery and Addison (my friend, Sarah Ellington's kids) and another sweet little girl that met us there. Sarah and I taught together at Kimmel Farm before Grace was even born!
Our view most of this summer in the Cloer's backyard!
Teaching the Kids
Little Learners Curriculum with Wesley (letters "C","D"and "E") and assorted activities with Grace
"C" is for caterpillar...meant to be a cute snack but turned out to be kinda creepy...
"C" is for chores!!
"C" is for cry! Wesley was a mess one morning over the most important things like having his snack in a bowl, NOT on a paper towel...I took a picture to show him how silly he was being. Not sure if it helped...
"F" is for firetruck!! We are a week ahead with this snack, but I couldn't wait any longer! It's one of my favorites and the kids loved it.
Skipping ahead to the letter "S" for sticker fun!
As a part of this curriculum you make an alphabet page a week (we're aiming for 2 to speed it up) to add to your own book. Kids associate more meaning with things they make or are involved with. That's why when I taught, we would make things as a class to display on the walls instead of buying a bunch of pre-made posters. This alphabet book is super easy to make and Wesley loves can't destroy it!
"D" is for dish soap foam. Blend together dish soap and water in a blender and add some food coloring for effect. This foamy soap is a great sensory activity!
"E" is one of my favorite crafts!
Here's a link to the curriculum if you're interested...it's SUPER cheap so just go for it! If you do buy it, don't hesitate to ask me questions about where to get started. Many friends have contacted me and I encourage you to give me honest feedback!
The curriculum is the link below and there are two additional downloads that accompany the curriculum (one is free and one is $1). Just visit my store (Two peas in a pod) which you can see from the link below.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Little-Learners-26-Week-Curriculum-1-2-Year-Olds-1303883
S'mores! SUCH an easy treat.
I think my friend Liz told me about this idea....you put cut up marshmallows and chocolate pieces in a bowl, microwave it, and VIOLA! Dip your graham crackers into the mixture for a slightly mess-free s'mores snack.
Grace knows about 18 sight words and soon I'll be introducing easy readers with the words she knows. As we build her sight word vocabulary, we've been playing review games like bingo. She found her stamps in her room and we played a game...she would choose the card and then have to spell the word with stamps. GREAT practice for her!
Beginning consonant sound game: Grace would choose a card and then have to stretch out the word to figure out which letter was missing.
Grace wanted to paint the same morning Wesley was doing his hand print elephant craft. So, she found a mermaid picture and started painting the whole page one color. This was a good opportunity to look at pictures from books and show her that it would be really neat to try and paint the things on her page different colors. It's also a good way to explain how things in real life are different colors and that's the way God made them! She got a new page and did a fantastic job!
Overnight Girls Trip to Meet Violet
Grace and Harrison-a real live baby doll!
Wesley tried to stand on Harrison's head and also used him for a race track...poor H!
Myself, Harrison and Beth
Henry and Wesley
Katie reading to Grace
Sweet and new Violet!
Grace's first Vacation Bible School!
I remember going to VBS growing up and was so excited that Grace was old enough to attend this year! She is attending another one at the pre-school she and Wesley go to, but this was her first one. She had a blast and is still listening to the CD and singing the songs.
Grace's teacher handed this to her on her way out the last day and I didn't really notice what it was until we got to the car...I don't know if others got the same award or how it worked but we are incredibly proud of her!!
I took Timmy, our neighbors newly adopted son, to VBS each day. He had a great time as well!
Wesley and I had some quality time together while Grace was at VBS.
Levi and Wesley caught up during a play date the week of VBS.
Hannah and Wesley enjoyed a play date at the Children's Museum since Hannah's sister also went to VBS.
Rachel took this picture of me and I kept looking at it thinking how odd it looked...I don't know the last time a picture was taken of just me, haha! Thanks Rachel :)
Backyard DIY Project: Our sand box was gifted to us years ago and it finally saw its last day! We decided to turn it into a nice back yard spot for everyone to enjoy. Jimmy did some fabulous work!
Before
During
After...not he best shot but it's wonderful!!
Anesthesia Cookout: Our backyard makeover came in perfect timing as we hosted a cookout at our house for Jimmy's CA-3 class. We had one last year and sure wish we started them earlier! Others have hosted get togethers throughout the years and it's such a good time of fellowship!
Corn hole for the boys
Relaxing for the girls...plus Brian!
Grace and her new buddy!
Mike pitching to the boys!
The Voris' put Cooper to bed in the same room with Wesley and we convinced them to leave him overnight with us so Wesley and Cooper could have a sleepover! Haha, they both wake up around the same time and it worked out nicely! Waffle time in the morning :)
Normally I do a big update at the end of my blog post each month but I'm pretty sure there is nothing left to tell after that lengthy post! We are having a great summer and enjoying family time together when possible. I'll start back up (part-time) next month so I'm trying to spend as much quality times with these kiddos and stay on top of my grad school until then. Jimmy has been on research this month and that is been quite nice. His call shifts are significantly more exhausting now that he is in his last year so please pray for him to have the energy to sustain the long 24 hour shifts. He will be on an ICU rotation next month BUT we also have our family beach trip, so that's something to look forward to!
Pray for us to be intentional about teaching the kids about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit through actions, words, and prayers. We want them to know Him and speak of Him to everyone they know. We pray that you spend time with Jesus today and make Him the center of your household and lives. Satan is clever and LOVES to convince you that your time is your own...but it is not, as we were reminded at church this past Sunday. God Bless You!
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