Crazy Sand

The boys got some crazy sand for Christmas, but I tucked it away thinking that it would make a great activity during the summer if it rained or if they were needing something to do. Well, I almost tucked it away too well and forgot about it. Here we are - the last week before school starts - and I just remembered the sand. It IS supposed to rain today, although it hasn't yet, so I guess my original purpose held true. 

This sand feels very much like real sand, but it sticks together well just by itself without water. It's great for molding and building and the set came with a tray and some tools. We had two sets, thank goodness. No sharing necessary.

They brought down some of their cars and Lego mini figures to play in the sand. 

Ethan kept all of his colors of sand separate, while Logan mixed all of his - naturally. 

They both had a great time and played for a long while out there. It was really pleasant weather today - not hot at all, which is crazy. And they were far more creative in their play than I had expected. 

Logan had a bit of trouble with this sand mold, but he finally figured out how to pack it tightly enough that it would retain it's shape.

The greatest thing about all of it was the clean-up. I poured the sand from the trays together into a gallon sized baggie, had the boys collect all of the toys, and then just folded up the black table cloth and threw it away. As for the sand on the boys, it brushed right off. Perfect. 

Logan's 6th BirthDAY

Logan's 6th birthday was last week. We always do a donut breakfast for birthdays and the pink glazed ones are his favorite...

I loved how Ethan was excited for Logan's birthday too. He asked to take a photo with the "birthday boy." Cuties!

Still shy about having "Happy Birthday" sung to him!

Sometime shortly after breakfast, Mimi and Pop called to Face Time Logan and sing to him too. You can tell by his face that he's not thrilled by that at all!

Right after breakfast we headed out to the YMCA to meet up with friends for a quick workout...and then swimming at our neighborhood pool! After we were thoroughly worn out by swimming, we picked up Casey from work and went to Petra together for lunch. They have some of the best queso, which is one of Logan's favorite things, so it seemed appropriate for his birthday lunch. I guess I stopped taking photos after we left the house that morning! But, it was such a fun day with friends and family all celebrating our Logan James turning six!

Down Where It's Wetter

Yesterday's post was all above-water photos, but I did drag out the underwater camera too. Although, I've been frustrated with my results with it lately. It seems like I used to be able to get nice, clear photos that were fairly easy to color-correct in PS. But this summer they've all been cloudy and really weird colors that are hard to fix. I've tried shooting at different times of day and right after the pool has been cleaned and nothing has helped. BUT, I still love shooting underwater and not surprisingly, the boys love doing "tricks" for me to photograph. They love looking at the photos after. So it's still fun for all of us!

It's kind of hard to tell them apart underwater with their matching suits. Even for me! But Logan is wearing the neon green goggles and Ethan's are blue. 

A Few Swims Left

It's the beginning of August...and actually, last year we were starting school around this time. This summer, we have TWO extra weeks! If the boys weren't getting along so well, I might be more ready for them to go back to school. But, I know that's coming, so I'm content to enjoy this for another two weeks!

We inflated a couple of inner tubes I got at Target and the boys loved them. 

Logan borrowed some of my sunglasses in our pool bag, but Ethan brought his own. They floated first thing when we got to the pool...and it lasted less than 5 minutes! Ha! They can't stay still for that long!

They've been playing games with the Pixar pool toys we have. They bring a chair onto the shallow shelf and play on and around it. Even when I listen in on their games I'm not totally sure what they're doing...but I am totally sure that it's really cute and imaginative!

Of course there's some launching of the toys and swimming out to rescue them...

Ethan almost always claims Woody...it's his favorite. And Buzz is still Logan's favorite too. 

When they started using the tubes as water bumper cars, they could not stop giggling! 

And falling over! 

Then they started trying to jump into their tubes. 

Success about 90% of the time...which is pretty good. Watching them have fun in the pool is SO different than when they were little and attached to me like barnacles. Of course those days are sweet...but so are these.

Summer Stuff

I have some random summer photos that I thought I'd just share in one post. They're all from this week.

A couple of days ago was laundry day. It started pretty early...you can see Casey eating breakfast in the background of the photo. So, this was first thing in the morning.

They've been putting their folded clothes away for me for some time now, but folding the clothes themselves has just happened recently. Logan says he "loves" folding clothes, although on this particular day he was not as enthusiastic about doing it all by himself. Ethan has been less thrilled with this new responsibility, but on this day he was fine with it...since I said boys who fold their laundry get their iPad time. Funny how that works. Either way, it got folded and put away and I didn't have to do it! 

As much time as we've spent outside already this summer, this is summer too...movies and popcorn! 

Wherever there is popcorn, there is Duke hoping for a bite.

They were watching the second Harry Potter movie this time. 

During the Quiddich match, the movie became interactive. They paused the show and went upstairs for their broomsticks.

Then they flew around the living room chasing their golden snitch. Love it. 

Meanwhile in my office...Duke was getting cozy with his mini me. Logan had left his stuffed puppy in my office and on a whim I put it in Duke's bed. He came over and sniffed it...and licked it. Then he circled around his bed once and laid down right beside it. 

This morning, just as the boys were headed outside, they asked for popsicles. Why not? They are a couple of crazies, though...

They've tried the grape and orange flavors. So far, Ethan likes all of them, but grape best. And Logan only likes orange! Crazy kid. 

I don't know what was making Logan laugh (probably something Ethan said), but they sure are cute. Right after this, they had an argument...and then went on to play outside together for almost 3 hours. 

I've pretty much left them to their own devices this summer. I've always insisted that they find things for themselves to do...I am not a cruise director for their free time. They are used to it (and really good at it) because it's always been that way. Even when they were babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Sometimes I plan fun activities or outings, and we have a rough schedule (that includes reading, chores, and yes...iPad time), but mostly they just find things to do.