Monday, August 20, 2012

End of Summer Fun

School is right around the corner but we're not there yet! We have been playing a lot the past week and enjoying the freedom from schedules and homework and lessons.

Luckily our Joseph has a birthday in August so we can always count on him for crazy fun.
He took the kids to Boondocks 2 days in a row! Once to play laser tag with a big group from the office (happy birthday Mike!) and then again since he got a free unlimited pass on his birthday (and I came then too). The crazies got soaked on the bumper boats and then we all made bank in tickets playing Skee-ball:
 The birthday boy and his new Tarmac (he bought it used from his Uncle Dave but I hear it is fast, "like a rocket" according to my brother-in-law who rode with Joseph this morning).
And a delicious German chocolate cake from the master herself, Ruth Ann. I love how Nanny still spoils her kids by making their favorite treats.
Saw this idea on Pinterest and it was a huge hit. It was so easy to make too--I just found random things in the junk drawer and in the basket to head back up to the toy room, threw in some leftover gems from Cares' birthday party, added water to this big tupperware, and stored it in the freezer overnight.
We learned a few minutes into it that sunglasses were important to wear as little ice chunks were flying all over. It was a surprisingly wet and cooling activity for a summer afternoon and the big kids especially loved being "antarctic archeologists"--coined by Bentley of course.
A fun park day at a spot we haven't visited for a long time--gotta love the cool sand excavators.  

Today we hit the aquarium. Huge highlights: baby sharks in the shark tank (my kids thought they were the cutest), and sharks out for petting: a leopard shark, a horn shark and lots of cat sharks. Such a great addendum to our Shark Week feast last week!

7 comments:

Joseph said...

Oh, I really love Livs in that bike pictures. She is the most adorable grump I've ever met.

Keltie said...

Joe looks like Neil in the picture where he is holding the cake, especially since he is looking over his glasses like that.

Joseph said...

Haha Keltie. CLASSIC Neil, right?

Flori said...

That was nice of you to share your birthday cake with your coworkers! It looks SO good. Your new bike looks rockin' too!

Heidi said...

Bentley has such a great expression in that very top photo at boondocks. you guys have been up to so many fun things! I have been wanting to try that ice block thing too- I hope I didn't miss the boat on hot days this summer here in MN

Anonymous said...

I totally forgot about the ice block idea. Doing it this week...

Joe is a fun birthday celebration guy. I am so glad he was spoiled with lots of love and attention parties and birthday cake and a new rocket/bike.

Bobbi said...

What a fun way to end up the summer! The ice block idea is cute. And Bentley must have LOVED petting sharks! Joe's bike is sweet, and he is looking so slim!