Izzie is not scared to get down and dirty with the neighborhood girls. They were collecting "Roley Poly" bugs and baby snails the other day. Izzie was right there with them wanting to hold the bugs and give them kisses. (FYI: She didn't actually touch them with her mouth!)

She is completely fascinated by "bugga buggas" The only one she has been afraid of so far is a cricket. And why wouldn't she be? Ugly little bugs that they are!

A few weeks ago we discovered a Robin's nest in one of the trees in our front yard. We had been watching as the Mama Robin so patiently sat on the eggs. Papa Robin was always on the lookout on our roof. The babies must have hatched about a week and a half ago. It has been fun to watch as the Mama & Papa have been busy, busy, busy and very cautiously entering the nest with their mouths full of worms...

You can see one of them poking his head up ready for his yummy meal....

Izzie enjoying  another Popsicle...Isn't summertime fun!!

We have been having a great summer! The kids have been staying up way to late every night which Ethan really enjoys.We like to go out in our back yard in the evenings when it cools down a bit to swing and jump on the trampoline. It is just fun to hang out together.

We have also been eating lots and lots of Popsicles....

He was really brave and let Erick pull it. I told him the Tooth Fairy would probably be coming tonight to get his tooth. Shortly after that Ethan said, "I think I am going to be rich tonight." I know inflation has made teeth worth much more than they were when I was a kid, 25 cents just does not go as far as it used to!

We have made a trip to Wheeler Farm. I love it there. It was fun to watch Izzie with all the animals, she doesn't remember going, so it was all new to her.

I could not get Izzie to look at the camera for the life of me. She was so excited to be there!

Ethan was great to show her everything, since he is so experienced in going there. When he was younger, we used to live close to the farm and would go at least once a week. It is a great, free place to spend a summer morning or afternoon or day....

We spent Tuesday afternoon/evening at Boondocks. Ethan has been asking us to go and we had a great time! Ethan rode the Go Carts and is a fabulous driver! He was in car #3 and the kid in car #6 would not let Ethan pass him. Well, when the kids were driving back into the parking lot, Ethan snaked in front of the kid and I was so proud of him. He has been paying attention to Erick's driving!

Erick had a blast getting everyone soaking wet in the Bumper Boats!

My first thought was "Alex?"  I know, silly.  But this dog looked a lot like our pupper, only he was black and white.   Izzie was excited and even called him Alex.  Well, he killed 13 or 14 chickens, all but 3. Oh, the carnage in that coop.  There are not many things worse than having to pick up dead stuff.  I just felt so bad, for the chickens as well as for our neighbors.  Luckily enough, Animal Control just happened to be patrolling our circle.  So, she came and picked up the dog. Another traumatic thing for Izzie.  She started crying, almost hysterically when the lady put the dog on a leash to take him away.  She thought the lady was taking Alex.  So sad. 

Interestingly, if an animal kills another animal or even bites a person, they are not automatically put down, like I thought.  There has to be a civil judgement taken out against the owners of the "naughty" animal.  Hmmm.     

Well, Ethan's last day of school was Friday.  I can't believe the school year is over.  When he goes back July 28th he will be a 2nd grader.  CRAZY!  We got C track for next year and Mrs. Beckstead.  I don't know anything about her, I hear she is brand new.

For the past several months we have been trying to get Ethan to ride his bike, but he kept telling us that he didn't know how....a few weeks ago Erick went out with him to see if he could help, and to Ethan's surprise, he CAN ride his bike.

He was so excited, and now all he wants to do is ride his bike.  He feels totally empowered by achieving this milestone in his life!

He only had one mishap, and as you can see, not a big deal.

Izzie is so proud of her brother!

I woke up early and had some quiet time to myself  and then finished my workout before anyone woke up.  It was a perfect morning!