Random of Summmer

 Austin tight-rope walking the swing set at Grandma S.'s house.  (We watched the the Niagra Falls crossing, and the kids thought it was super cool.)

 We were enjoying a nice evening outside...no mosquitoes...yet!  Sydney fell or something and her hero, Derek, rescued her and carried her to mommy. 

 So sad...

 The tears are clearing...I am pretty sure they were fake....

 Look how long her hair is getting!!

All clean and ready for bed.

A little more random: 
*  Derek tried to sneak some popcorn kernels to the back yard.  He wanted to plant an apricot tree. 
*Austin asks how everything is made, he wants details.  His mind cracks me up.  I have been trying to teach him his colors for months.  He never got them right.  We haven't worked on them at all so far this summer and he suddenly knows all of them?!  He does things on his own schedule. 
*When we are driving and I am talking to the boys, Sydney will copy every word I say.  It is kind of funny.  She thinks she is the mom here. 
*Austin week isn't going so well.  We have the pukes over here.  It seems like a short bug, but when it has to go through all of us, it takes awhile.  So far only two children have puked, but everyone else is a little queasy...
*On the upside, we have really laid low and stayed in our jammies and watched tons of movies and read lots of books.  Today we felt up for a few small activites, playing with blocks and having an impromptu dance party...which ended when Derek and Zack crashed into each other and Derek got a bloody nose. 
*We had a Primary Pie night at my house last weekend.  We invited all the Primary workers to come and have treats and play some games and volleyball.  We didn't have too big of a turnout, but it was really fun!  The volleyball, especially was a highlight. 
*We watched the mountain near us (Saratoga Springs) burn for a few days.  There is still some lingering smoke, but no homes were lost (even though many were evacuated).  We could see the fire burning a little bit and then it doubled in size really fast...scary. 
*The kids have done really well for being cooped up all week.  I, however, am going stir-crazy.  I made an evening run, BY MYSELF to the library last night.  I don't think I have been in a library alone since before I had kids...I was in heaven!  Everyone ate dinner tonight...I opted for something light on the tummies...homemade chicken noodle soup and fruit....so hopefully things are looking up.   I may even make Matt and myself a chocolate milkshake after the kids are down tonight.  Hoping everyone sleeps in their own beds tonight!!

*Kids are funny.  And sweet and awesome.  Now, if anyone knows how to get them to stop fighting....