Arboretum Visit June 6th

Last Saturday we made our first visit out to the Arboretum. It was kind of rainy so it wasn't a long visit and it was after nap so we didn't have much umph left in the kids. But Grandma Judy got us a season pass so we can venture out there any time we want now. We hadn't been since a year ago when Grandma was visiting when the babies were just a few weeks old.

We drove past the main building and decided to visit the shade tree area. This arboretum is so big there will be plenty of new areas to see. We didn't plan this visit out very well because we didn't really get to see anything in bloom. Well not up close anyway. We did see the blooming iris' as we drove out.

Here is Isaac in the 'tree house' in the shade tree area.
 

(Side note, earlier this morning Kyle and Isaac went to a workshop at The Home Depot. Isaac picked out his shirt that morning based on going to build a truck, it was cute)





We decided to go for a little walk on the trails so we put the girls in the stroller so we could be a little more comfortable. We ended up seeing a turkey trotting across the lawn toward the sculpture garden. We were all getting hungry so didn't venture into the sculpture garden this time.






I didn't mean to completely cut Emma out of the pic... oops


On our way home, we picked up a new lens I have had my eye on. So I went out to our garden to play around with it once the kids were in bed. It is the same lens I had rented and blogged about here.  I was capturing our strawberries...






When I heard the chirping of two cardinals flying around me. It was pretty cool!

Beach fun

Yesterday I braved it and took all three kids to the beach by myself. We didn't really get many beach visits in last year... if any and Isaac has been talking about going to the beach for the past six months! So since it was suppose to be such a hot day yesterday I wanted to take them. We arrived about 9:45 and only lasted about 2 hours. It was warm, but since it was morning it was nicer than it was later in the afternoon.

They all loved playing in the sand, and boy did they get messy! Sand was everywhere. Since it was just me I set up camp away from the water not sure how the girls were going to be. But they loved playing in the sand they were good about staying close by and in the shade of our umbrella. They did however like to EAT the sand, yuck!


Isaac and I went in the water a little bit, just enough to get our legs wet and fill up our play bucket.

I started off with the girls in their clothes, then realized I left one of the swim diapers back in the car. Which made it easier because I had an excuse not to get everyone in the water. As soon as I got our umbrella up I started layering everyone up with sunscreen. Seriously it took me more time to unload, get everyone dressed, pack up, and get everyone cleaned off than time I spent actually relaxing. Luckily the kids could play the entire time, just a lot of work for me!












Seeing how dirty they were getting I decided to take their shirts off and put their swim shirts on so we had something clean to go back to the car in. I had one diaper for each so I decided just to change them right before we left. I did go dip them in the water right before we left to get most of the dirt off.






Emma loved her feet in the hole I dug :-)


I then gave the girls a little snack on the towel. Isaac was too busy playing in the sand, he had his snack on the walk back to the van. The girls ended up getting their grapes and crackers covered in sand, it was so gross. But kids will be kids I guess. Haha! Excited to go back with dad when we have enough hands to actually get in the water to swim!

Video:

TBall

Isaac had his first TBall practice last night. We signed him up for our neighboring town because our city's TBall program doesn't start until 4 years old.

We arrived and the kids all got shirts, there was only one size so they all pretty much got swallowed up by them. Isaac played some catch with dad waiting for it to start. 

The practice consisted of them dividing up into three groups and each having a station. First they all gathered up in the outfield and stretched. Isaac kept falling over, it appears he doesn't have good balance. We'll have to work on that. His first station was learning to run bases. The coach taught them about each base and they got to run them in order. Isaac was beeming with joy the entire time and had so much fun! He was really burning energy running around. 

Emma was having fun watching as well. 

The girls had fun crawling around the blanket and grass. It was a beautiful evening. 

After the bases station, the head coach blew his whistle and Isaac's group made their way to the outfield. Well after numerous water breaks. Here they practiced catching and throwing the ball. The last station was batting. Isaac had batted left handed and the coach started to correct his hands and stance then we explained he's used to batting left. So the coach corrected his directions and Isaac batted away. Pretty good swing!

Here's a video of Isaac batting:

And his proud family watching:

Isaac is in the field catching another player's hits:

It's gonna be a fun six weeks. Isaac really liked it!

PLAY

About a month ago I realized my phone pictures just weren't cutting it and made a goal to be more intentional about grabbing my 'real' camera to capture these moments. Don't get me wrong, getting pictures with my phone is better than nothing and boy do I have a TON! But when I actually go to look at them and add them to my photo books that will be printed. My good camera just captures their adorable features so much better. And the details, love seeing crystal clear eyes or their sprigs of hair going every which way.

These photos are three separate days in the last five. The first one was just an afternoon enjoying our NEW living room! The kids love rolling on the soft squishy carpet.


As I've mentioned before, Mary uses her middle finger as her pointer finger


Mary is quite the walker and is doing it more and more everyday.


Emma's hair can get outta control


Mary is also quite dramatic. Someone probably looked at her wrong or got in her way here. It doesn't take much.










They like squeezing into the little spot between the couches







On this day the kids all had late naps, so we decided to do our Costco run after dinner. When we got home we just played in the yard a bit before starting the bedtime routine.




Mary loves to give kisses




She is mini-Isaac in his old shirt, lol.











attempt at a photo of all three


beautiful profile


"put the camera down and hold me mama"



This was Thursday, we made a fort while we waited on our new stove to get delivered.


The girls are in super cute sun dresses. Definitely a perk to having girls, SO many different clothes! And thanks to friends and family we have lots of hand-me-downs, I love it!


These bull horns have been a favorite lately... amazing how much joy a cheap happy meal toy can bring.








Baby girl is tired, ready for lunch and nap.