Week of activities

This week was one of those weeks I usually am vehemently against. Shane had sport camp every morning from 9 to 12 and Shane and Myann both had swim lessons in the evenings. I did not plan them together, but the swim classes kept getting bumped until the 2 activities landed on the same week. And as it worked out, Brian had to be out of town and Grandpa Jo and Grandma Anne were leaving. Thankfully, I had Tina to help with the crazy week, so in the end it was not too bad.

Shane is really enjoying swim lessons and finally dunking himself under the water. Yea!!! Myann is enjoying her swim class, thought I am not a fan of the silly games in the pool, I'd rather skip the games and just teach skills, but I'm sure that does not work for 2 year olds. Myann used to be fine dunking her head, but on the first try of lessons, she swallowed water and threw up. So now she is a little nervous about putting her head in the water, and will only do it when I dunk her.

Because you must look cool at the pool


Miss No Fear jumping into the pool


Shane's 1st day and not so sure about playing tag with 7 year olds.


Myann was all too happy to run the field too - sadly I didn't capture her running up to every person to lift her dress and show them her dolphin tattoo on her belly


My fearless child was a bit shy at the beginning of every class, after seeing this, I realized why - she would snuggle them until they were ready, after I took this picture, 2 more boys came over for love time with the coach


Shane hitting his homerun - Brian was not happy to hear they were making sure all the kids hit a "homerun" - maybe not a real homerun, but it was still a good hit - I was proud



Shane's last day of sport camp with his coach - think there may have been a bit of a crush.

Shane's Reward

For about the past 4 months we have been maintaining an online chore and reward system. Shane is responsible for feeding the dogs everyday, putting his toys away every evening, being our helper (like getting the newspaper, helping with Myann and Anders), and picking up the pine cones in the front yard every week before mowing day. Shane is awesome about feeding the dogs, so so on putting toys away, an excellent helper most of the time, and 50/50 on the pine cones. Every Sunday, Shane and Brian sit down and go through what chores he did that week and what points he earned. Well after all these months, he finally earned his first reward, which was a new video game. Coincidentally, he has been begging for wii play (which he calls the tank game) because he plays that game with Papa and loves it. He played it once at Christmas in Texas and has talked about it since. We reminded him that if he did his chores, he could earn the game. While we were back in Texas this summer, he played tanks with Papa again and has not quit asking for the game. Again we reminded him that he could earn. So as soon as we returned from Texas he wanted to see how much longer until he had enough points. Well, he was just a few shy, so after that week's chores he had enough points. I printed out his certificate and he insisted we go to the store that day to get his game. He was so proud and told me he was going to pay for his new game with his certificate. The thought of him handing a piece of paper to the store clerk to pay made me chuckle.

While at the store, he quickly found other games he wanted, so I told him he had to start over earning his points and maybe in a few months, he could earn another game. Needless to say, he has been pretty good about doing his chores. We really hope this helps teach him about saving up and working hard to get the things he wants.

I had to add this part too. When we told Shane he had earned his reward, he graciously insisted that Myann should get a reward too because she helped him pick up the pine cones in the yard. And she does, they are hilarious in their garden gloves, loading up pine cones into the back of his jeep. BTW, I don't remember pine cones hurting and ours are the most prickly things ever - very painful to touch without gloves.

Grandma Anne hit the Wall...on the Hiawatha Trail

Today we did the Hiawatha Trail bike ride. 17 glorious miles in Montana. Glorious is probably a poor word choice, better described as scenic, bumpy, hot in the sun, freezing in the tunnels, and exercise. We had a really good time, total trip time about 4 hours, but we all enjoyed it. Well, until the end, when Grandma Anne hit the wall inside the final tunnel. I was behind her and saw the whole thing. I was half trying to not crash into her, and half see if there was anything I could do to help. With moderate biking experience and pulling Myann in the trailer, I helplessly watched. Fortunately, Grandma Anne is rather graceful and caught herself, so that slamming into the wall saved her, she was pretty bruised the next day. Once we met up with Brian and Grandpa Jo, and explained to them what happened, Shane asked, "Mom, did you try to save her?" Sadly, I had to say I did not.

Grandma Anne - what a good sport


The bumpy ride wore him out.


Myann pointing out the tunnel we just biked through.

Cherry Pickers Trot

We left the Texas heat, only to come home to hot hot hot in Spokane. We went up to Greenbluff intending to pick cherries, but we were a day early. So we just bought cherries - super yummy! Then we headed over to the Tot Trot and 4 mile race. The Tot Trot was a bit crazy. Myann was less than interested in running and Shane was full speed ahead. Then Grandma Anne and I did the 4 mile race. I had a terrible race, felt bad, but enjoyed the view while running.

Playing at Richard's

The kids have had a lot of fun at Richard's, he has a pool and they get spoiled with attention. What more could a kid want.







This is the money shoot. I will forever love these thighs.


Perfection!

Grandpa's 90th

Brian's Grandpa decided to celebrate his 90th birthday in Houston. We went to a Brazilian restaurant and had a wonderful time celebrating this amazing man. Grandpa or Woody is an impressive man who gives his grandsons a run for their money. I love that my kids have gotten to know their Great Grandpa and that he really enjoys being around them, even when they can be a bit overwhelming for this bachelor. Brian and his Grandpa have a wonderful relationship, more like buddies, which is rare in a grandparent/grandchild relationship.

The Aquarium with Uncle GG

Because Uncle GG was leaving town, we had to squeeze in a little time with him before he left. We met him downtown at the Aquarium to play and eat. Uncle GG is such a good sport and the kids loved getting to be with him.

Shane still talks about the shark that jumped out. Myann spent all of lunch in Uncle GG's lap and he never once complained. Tina was with me, in that we were beyond hot. But it was a lot of fun.












Really, I was having fun.