Since our local swim club didn't open this summer, we spent a lot of time pool hopping at friends' homes. In early June, we rode bikes to a friend's home to wish her a happy birthday. She told the kids they could jump in her pool (with their clothes on). No hesitation - they all got in. I told the boys they could take off their shirts, but they opted to keep them on. Maggie, on the other hand, decided to take hers off.
Maggie is one happy girl!
Some teachers in our school district organized a peaceful march in early June. The kids and I participated. Since we hadn't taken them many places yet, it was the first time they had to wear a mask for an extended amount of time. It was a good experience.
We watched most of the march go by and then joined at the end where it was less crowded and we were able to better space ourselves out from others.
A few days later we rode bikes to say happy birthday to my friend Sara. On our way home, we stopped by my friend Annie's house. She also told the kids to jump in her pool (with clothes on). Later she gave the kids popsicles and cookies. They didn't want to leave!
A post-swim picture with Annie.
My parents read about a beach at Cuivre River State Park and we decided to meet them there to check it out. There was a sign at the beach, though, advising people not to go in the water due to high E.coli levels. My parents spoke to a park ranger who directed us to a spring-fed creek. It was awesome!
We saw an upside-down rainbow.
The kids found lots of crawdads.
Papa challenged them to throw rocks into the drain pipe across the creek. Patrick enjoyed the challenge.
Snuggling on the gravel bar with my girl
We all had a lot of fun!
Jack saw a pool advertised in the Aldi ad and asked if we could get it. I told him I would go Wednesday morning at 9:00 when the sale started and see. I got out of my car at 8:57 and saw this line. The store had a total of 11 pools. Needless to say, we didn't get one.
We met friends at Pickle Springs for a fun hike/afternoon of exploring.
There were so many places to climb!
A few spots made me nervous.
I asked the kids to get together for a picture. They got together. But chose to face away from the camera.
Maggie has discovered Calvin and Hobbes!
My running group had a pool night. So fun!
Patrick made these cool ND signs.
One Saturday while our husbands were working, my friends and I took our kids to Sherman Beach Park. The kids had fun in the water, but it was a little scary when Jack and Charlie went into the deeper, faster water.
Jim was playing music at his friend Dean's house one afternoon so the kids and I rode our bikes to watch. Charlie loves to ride hands-free.
Jim bought some fake tattoo sleeves to wear when playing music. The next morning, Maggie found one and put it on her arm. It doesn't quite have the same look!
My Godfather invited us to swim in his pool! My parents were also invited and Maggie chose to wear the Cardinals dress Nana made for her.
We took a ride in my Godfather's fun car.
So happy to swim!!!
A few days later we were invited to swim at my friend's neighbor's pool.
I had told Jim that we should look for a cheap unicycle for Charlie, since he loves to ride hands-free. The very next day, I found one on the curb while on a run. I knocked on the door to confirm it was out for the trash and I could take it. Yes! I brought it home. After filling the tire, it worked. Now we just need to learn how to ride it. Charlie is not at all interested.
Jim met another scouting family and went camping at S-F for a night.
Other than locking the keys in the car, they had a great time!
While the boys were camping, Maggie and I dog-sat for a friend's dog. That friend also has a pool that she said we could use. In the afternoon, Maggie and I invited some neighbors to join us.
We went back in the evening and met other friends. Maggie was in heaven!
We were also invited to swim at a friend's cousin's pool. Without a pool membership this year, we were so grateful for all the invites to other pools!
One morning I was on a run by myself. I had my phone with me in case the kids needed something. I got a text from two girls in my running group that they just saw Karlie Kloss and got pictures with her. I didn't really know what she looked like, but looked at their pictures and then kept a lookout for someone dressed the same because I knew I was running in the same area as my friends. Not two minutes later, I saw a really tall woman dressed as the woman in the pictures come around a bend. I stopped and asked if I could get a selfie with her. She was so sweet and bent down for a picture with me.
After not using my big camera all month, I decided to get it out as the kids were playing in the yard one evening after dinner.
Patrick tried out the unicycle.
More Calvin and Hobbes
With the libraries closed, we checked out electronic books and the boys read on my phone or an old phone. Charlie read, read, read all summer!
Charlie's First Communion was postponed until the end of June. Only parents were allowed to attend. We tried to make the day special for him It started out with cinnamon rolls in the shape of a cross.
Even though the siblings didn't get to go to church, we made everyone get dressed up for a picture beforehand. Then, Jim, Charlie, and I went to church and the others watched the First Communion on the tv at home.
