Summer Reading

My friend and neighbor Rebekah suggested to me that we try to keep a reading log for our kids to help encourage them to continue learning to read. We set up a chart, similar to the Summer reading log for the library and after a week of reading books her kids Alex & Caden would come to our house for a prize and Melanie would go to her house for a prize. We're gonna do this for 3 weeks. This Friday we just had our first prize day. I didn't take picures of it because I was distracted & forgot but let me tell ya, it turned out GREAT!!! My friend had a REALLY AWESOME idea! It has really SUPER encouraged Melanie to want to read more! She already didn't mind reading a book or her flash cards, but now she's asking to read MORE than what we ask. It's so neat!! And she's READING! Teaching her phonics so she can sound out the words, sight words that are just repetative and me reading to her is just....SO COOL! It's such a neat feeling! Really, really NEAT. Great Job Melanie, Alex & Caden! Thanks Rebekah.

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Build & Grow With Lowe's

This is such an AWESOME children's activity that Lowe's puts on during the weekends! And it's FREE! Mwlanie has gone 3 times. First she made a Valentine's Box-built it, painted it, stickered it. Then she made an Ice Cream Truck, and this weekend she made Kung Fu Panda Stackers (mini blocks)! So COOL! And each time they get a patch to stick on to an apron. Duane has taken Melanie to these events and they have totally enjoyed that time together. I am so thankful for Lowe's being around the corner form us!

Wonder Woman Video

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Wonder Woman!

I'm not really sure how or why, but I somehow introduced Melanie to WONDER WOMAN. And she has been intrigued ever since. We got a book about her from the library which Melanie can not get enough of. Then I showed Melanie a video clip of Wonder Woman from youtube. She just can't get enough of the Lasso of Truth, the Sheilding Arm Braclets and spinning to go from Diana Prince to WONDER WOMAN! HA!!

Grocery Shopping

I love to go grocery shopping. It seems Melanie might too! I got this grocery cart at the thrift store for $5.00! She's taking it EVERYWHERE. Even on walks around the block.

e

r

She is SWIMMING! Video # 2

Here is Melanie swimming on July 23rd. She's gotten even better since then! She's really learning breath control and trying to focus on one style of swimming. She's going from a dog paddle type of swim to an almost breast stroke technique. By the end of Summer she'll be dabbling in freestyle I bet. This is really EXCITING!

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

She is SWIMMING Video!

This is Melanie REALLY attempting to swim on July 14th. She really took the plunge...I was standing in the pool talking to Duane and she swam under water right in front of me from the ladder. She surfaced & I explaimed "OH MY GOSH!!! YOU SWAM!!!" I grabbed on to her & had her show Duane. Since then she has perfected her technique and gotten even better. She can swim longer, hold her breath better and FLOAT! She's even swimming on her back! IT'S AWESOME! Melanie tends to be a person that learns best by watching and then trying things her own way. A kind of trial by error. It's neat. It also really helps that she can touch the bottom of the pool. No more floaties and more swim lessons here we come!

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

She is SWIMMING!

Ahhh!

Lake Claiborne

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Snow Cone Fun!

Happy Fourth of July!

Burger's Lake

This is my ULTIMATE favorite place to go in TX so far! It is so fun and not too expensive or too far away. This is where we spent the Fourth of July day. Then we came home relaxed and did a few sparklers and snaps! Happy Be-Lated Fourth of July!

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Go Tigers, Go Tigers!!

"Go Tigers, Go Tigers! You're really strong and wild! Go Tigers, Go Tigers!! Go between the happy grass!" Melanie can NOT wait for basketball season!

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Smokey the Ballet Dancer

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

The Squeeky Wheel Gets the Snow Cone Machine!

So, when I saw on Lori's blog that her family received a SNOW CONE machine I admit I got a little "green." But not to the point that I was over zealous jealous! HA! Turns out Grandma & Papa thought we needed a snow cone machine too. COOL! It's AWESOME! Thanks Mom & Tim!

It's Dress-Up Time

Family Fun in the Sun

Oh THANK GOODNESS for this POOL!

Artistic? I say YES!

These are pictures of some craft projects Melanie came up with. The first one is an abstract/3Dish picture with a balloon and scrap paper pieces.

The second is her name in paint from the feather ink pen after she folded the paper.

The third is a wooden birdhouse she painted with Duane. He taped it off so the edges would be neat when she painted. And she painted the flower on top and the nest.

The last one is "jeweled" art work with glitter.

Kitchen Helpers

This picture of Ella & Melanie just cracks me up! Everyone loves a little raw brownie dough!

Feather Pen

Melanie & I read about a feather pen in one of her library books. On one of our trips to the duck pond we found the perfect feather! We didn't have any ink so she just used paint. It worked pretty well though! She was so excited...I think she needs a REAL feather ink pen set. THAT would be NEAT!