We went Blueberry picking today with my sister who is staying for 3 1/2 weeks!

Tree Frogs

Gladstone Happy Rock's Baseball Team 2011

My husband rightfully accuses me of "running a tight ship"! So this summer we've set sail by trying to learn a few skills, read 20 minutes a day and practice the piano.
My summer reading program idea came from: Brown Paper Packages.
Lovin' these bookmarks.
We do pretty good at this anyway, I just didn't want our summer to fly by with baseball, swimming lessons and everything else and not read every single day.

Points for practicing the piano also came from Brown Paper Packages.
Dax thrives on points and rewards and isn't great at practicing the piano. At least now he practices most days instead of not at all.

And my summer skills merit badge idea came from The Crafting Chicks.
I printed out a picture for each skill small enough to fit on a 2 1/2 inch circle punch then had the boys color, cut and glue them together.

Our List Includes:
Ride bike without training wheels

Memorize The Living Christ
Run ¼ mile
Tie own shoes
Weed the garden
Wash the car
Read 4 books to a younger brother
Wash dishes
Crack an egg
Write out full Name
Camp on the tramp
Identify 5 types of Birds
Make a bug collection
Skip Rocks
Roast the perfect marshmallow
Identify the North Star and Big Dipper
Pump on a swing
Jump Rope for 15 Seconds
Complete Swim Lessons
Learn how to cast a fishing pole
Learn how to tie on a hook
Learn to thread a worm
Learn how to sew on a button
Learn First Aid

They each have a chart where they just put a mark for that day/week and then at the end of the week if they've worked hard then they get a reward. Some rewards include: water balloon fight, staying up late coupon, ice cream cone, handful of nerds and bowling. Like I said, my kids thrive on rewards, so they do a lot of things without me even asking or reminding them. It's been fun to see them learn and do new things. Things that Greg and I would otherwise just do ourselves.

Some of what's been going on here in Oquawka:

I know I just put together those canvases for Emmett's room, but then I had to have this photo in a 12x18.

It had to be framed.

I had to make everything in the room match this photo and the rocker so I had Perfect Printables do a special owl order for me. These owls turned out so stinkin cute.

And I had to make a bumper so I bought 3 yards of fabric, cut it in strips, sewed a tube that was about 8-10 yards long, turned it right side out and pulled it over the top of a bumper I bought for Dax when he was a baby. I make my husband absolutely crazy some days! That's a little taste of why....

Refinished more furniture. This also made Greg crazy, but he helped anyway!

Lucas got 17 mosquito bites in one afternoon. Dax was in the same places at the same time, those little buggers can smell Lucas and he must have some real sweet blood.

The boys found a turtle. He was our pet for a day and then we turned him loose.

Emmett turned 6 months and weighed in at 18 pounds 6 ounces. He slobbers and spits up constantly. We love, love, love every ounce of him.

And I tried to get a picture of the boys. I did get one in about 100. I just couldn't keep Nolan sitting, Lucas looking, Dax smiling and Emmett not sticking his tongue out. Sure love these kiddos and they sure keep me super busy.

Greg's parents came out for a visit. It was absolutely wonderful to see them!

We visited Nauvoo, Carthage, went fishing, went to the boys baseball games and ate a lot of fried chicken, carrots, ice cream and chocolate.

As we dropped them off at the airport I turned around in my seat only to see my two oldest boys in tears. It broke my heart. It broke my heart in two. I really hate to see my kids get emotional when they don't quite understand why things are the way they are.
We miss you!