Puzzle

Thanks to the early morning storm we are already playing hard. The boys are working on puzzles this morning. Pretty sure this is Jakes first puzzle to do almost by himself.

Spy university

The dog food was delivered in a box four times to big. So the boys had fun thinking of what to do with it. They loves Tyler's idea of a spy university.

Everyone got spy names to put on top. Tyler and Kevin thought them up and then Jake and I wrote and colored them.




Then we cut some doors and windows while Tyler designed the flag, mascot (a red ant), and Kevin found the air purifier to make the flag wave.












Then we played around with our theme song before setting off on missions. Fun!!

Park Trip and Jake's First Big Bike Ride

This morning Adam worked from home while the boys and I rode our bicycles to the park.  A few weeks ago it hit me that Jake doesn't always have to ride in the bike trailer to get to the park.  He has a balance bike he loves, and the park is close enough that he can ride there on it without his big brother's getting upset by the slowness.

It turns out that Jake can ride much quicker than I ever gave him credit for as he is getting good on his bike.  And the boys are much more tolerant of the pace because they are so excited for him that he is riding.

While we were at the park, Kevin discovered that he too has a climbing bug.  And thrilled Tyler with this discovery because Tyler has now decided to train Kevin in the art of climbing.  This too thrills Kevin because he has "missions" now.  They had a blast this morning playing together in their newly discovered game.

Here they climbed up onto a tunnel together.  This was their "home base" and they had so much fun just climbing up here and talking.  I think its cute how one has a Nebraska hat and the other an Iowa hat.

While the big two were up on the tunnel, Jacob like to slide down the closest slide and keep an eye on them.  I am getting a stink eye face here.  Too bad he doesn't have an OSU hat on today.  That would have been great! At least it is an orange one.  :)

Snapped a picture as Kevin climbed up on the slide Jacob had been playing on this morning.  He was so proud he figured this one out as it was one of the missions Tyler had given him.

Eventually we decided it was time to bike home, but as we got on our bikes the boys started chanting about riding to the tunnels.  I gave in as Jacob was going strong.  So we grabbed a "before" picture and headed out on our adventure together.  Jacob had never ridden further than to the park, so this would be an adventure for his legs for sure.  But he was awfully excited and that was cool!

They were all being so cute, I decided to take video of our trip!  We managed to ride through two under-the-street tunnels and then all the way back....almost to home.  When we got about three or four blocks out, Jacob told me he was done riding because he was so tired.  So I quickly texted Adam who was home and he met us at the neighborhood entrance to give the kids a lift home.  

Here is the video.

Camping

I have more posts from our last camp trip and the fourth I want to post. But I am currently killing time while J and the dogs nap/cool off in the car, Adam works a bit, and Tyler and Kevin play at a playground. So I thought I would blog a bit from this trip.

We drove up to Mahoney in Nebraska. We were supposed to come with friends but their plans changed last minute and we decided to make it a family trip and bring the dogs too.

Everyone rested on the drive up.





Our tent site.



My roommates. We did a boys tent where Adam had all the kids, and then a girls tent where I slept with the dogs. My tent was so quiet. :)



Our picnic table / Adams work area if we are ever quiet. ;)



A trip to year closest playground.

A group picture on our morning hike.



Another shot from a long bridge.



After our hike we went back to camp to get Adam and have him take the boys paddle boating.



First out was a very excited Tyler!




J and K patiently waited their turn and were so excited when it was time to
get their life jackets on.











Adam and Tyler headed back to the dock.



Tyler had a blast!!






Off go Adam with J and K!! Jake is sitting in the middle.






After paddle boats, Adam treated everyone to ice cream. We ate it in the car so J and the dogs could cool off. J fell asleep and so we drove over to an observation tower.

We took turns going up so the dogs and Jake Could keep resting. We had fun going up and then dad took the big boys in a small hike.


Now we are off at yet another playground so Jake can continue his much needed nap in the car. It is super hot outside and he has been pretty grumpy all day. So hopefully the nap will help! :)