Summer Fun

The kids have been loving their time off this summer.  We split up the summer between just hangout time and a couple of one-week camps, and then signed them up for a bunch of classes to keep them busy.  We were a little worried about all of the down time, but they could not be happier to stay in their PJs in the morning and come up with fun adventures for the day with Mayensi.  Isaac spent a the second week of summer at soccer camp and Caitlin spent it at adventure camp.  Isaac's camp included lots of scrimmages with all of his school buddies, and Caitlin went exploring, Kayaking and rock climbing.  They both loved it!

For the in-between weeks, we signed the kids up for swimming, hockey (Isaac), figure skating (Cate), and Hip hop (both!).  Isaac also has tutoring with Ms. Adams, which he loves (probably because she sends him home with cookies!).

Mayensi has really made the summer fun for the kids.  One day, they went to Chataqua Park in Boulder for a music festival and had a blast at the musical instrument "petting zoo,"another day they went to the aquarium and saw "real" mermaids, and another they went to a park with HUGE (.5 mile) slides.  One of Mayensi's friends lives in our neighborhood and cares for 5 year old twin girls who the kids are infatuated with, so on low-key days they've been having fun just going to the pool, local parks and playing at each other's houses.    

Finally, this week we signed the kids up for Pirates and Mermaids camp at Art Underground.  Isaac originally protesting because he is "too old for that stuff", so we made a deal that he would give it a fair shot (2 days) before deciding he didn't like it.  He came home the first day and told me that he had a lot of fun, and since there were kids who were 8 years old, maybe he wasn't too old :)  At the end of the week, the kids put on a "play" which was adorable.  The videos didn't come out so great, but here are some pictures of our little Pirate and Mermaid.

Last but not least, we've had some visitors this summer!!  First, the Andersons are here for their annual summer vacation.  They rented a place in Boulder for July, but have made time to see the kids almost every day, which is amazing.  Grandpa has been SUPER helpful around the house, and Grandma has put her excellent teaching skills to good use in helping Isaac stay on track with his reading and writing.  They have already taken the kids to the zoo and plan lots of other adventures over the next few weeks (more pictures to come on those!).  Finally, Papa Rich came for the weekend, and spoiled the kids with early birthday presents