August

we have loved our garden corn this summer! The kids will eat it raw, straight from the garden!

Annika made daddy's birthday present about a month before his birthday. She heard he needed things to put up in his office. So she made a popsicle stick frame for our family picture. She loves to make and give gifts. I love her giving heart. She is a good example. 

The day Keenan left for Wenatchee (after living with us for about a month. The kids love him! We will miss having him around!

Annika planted a packet of wild flowers this year. She has loved them! She put a few of her fairy garden items in the pot too. She took the picture above and used a photo editor to write "Annika's flowers." (:

Mowing the lawn with daddy is one of Esther's favorite activities. We bought a second pair of ear protection muffs so the kids could ride. Esther insists on wearing the new ones. So David takes them off his head and gives them to Esther every time. (:

This girl is an innovative thinker! She decided to have a nail salon at our house. She has big ideas like this often. And we just can't realistically carry all of them out. When she came upstairs with a poster board and started asking how to spell the words, I knew she was serious and I got on board with her. I texted a few friends. And she put her sign out by our mailbox, hoping that people driving by would stop. I tried to be positive but realistic with her about the probability of people just stopping by. She is so reasonable and she took it well. It was still hard to see her hopes unmet as only Janelle and Michelle were able to come. But Beusie was a good sport and let Annika paint her finger nails. She did my fingers and toes too. We each paid her a quarter. This girl is going places with her big ideas!

standing out by the nail salon sign (:

I read so much about the dangers of looking at the eclipse, even with the glasses, which don't fit kids very well. So, I decided to pop some popcorn and we watched the news coverage of the eclipse. I did use Glenn's eclipse glasses to view the sun myself. It was pretty awesome! And the kids thought it was fun to watch tv in the morning!

popsicles and swim suits. We had a fun summer morning with Janelle's kids while she went to an appointment.

Beusie and Grandpa go swimming almost every day. They are kind to invite Annika and Benson to swim with them. I get in once or twice a week. It has been a refreshing luxury to have the pool set up! We have to make sure we take the ladder out every time. Esther climbed up there once when nobody was outside with her. So scary!

Esther and Tyler holding hands in the swing. He is very affectionate. Sometimes she's ok with it. (:

Esther's independence can be quite endearing. She put on her shoes, jacket (it was a cool morning) and hat and went outside for 10 minutes by herself. She went on the trampoline, ate some grapes, and walked around. She's a doll.

We had Rose and her kids over for an afternoon. We're sad that they're moving from Warden (20 minutes away) to Mattawa (50 minutes away). We've been getting together for playdates since Annika and Chaim were one. Annika and Amayah love playing together and Benson loves to play with Chaim.

new hat from Aunt Abby!

Esther wanted a turn to model the hat

This is her latest pose for pictures- the splits (:

S'more time!

We roasted s'mores as a family after dinner one night. It was the first and only time of the summer. I love this picture of me with my 3.5 babies!

he takes the best selfies. soo handsome!

pre-play safari selfie

Annika planned a directed a play! Her imagination, organizational skills, and drive are impressive!

I found this winter coverall and jacket set at a yard sale for Benson. It was the end of their sale so all clothes were "stuff a bag for $3!" Esther had to try it on and do her classy splits pose.

I've been wanting to take the kids to the city pool all summer. We finally took them the day before Annika started school (also her bday). The kids had a great time and there were only 5 or 6 other kids there the whole time.

This was right before we left to meet Annika's teacher, a few days before school. She has been so excited and independent-minded about this whole kindergarten thing. We are happy that she is going to Scootney. We were hoping to get Ms. Foley. She will be in Ms. Wick's class, a new teacher. She seems very nice and energetic. 

The day before school, they had Kinder Camp in the morning. 

Annika was happy and confident. She didn't mind me leaving her there at all. I started to tear up but then Esther started crying because she didn't want to leave Annika there. So that stopped my tears and we were on our way.

Dentist appointment! It was Esther's first. David and I had overlapping appointments. But Esther did great and even stayed with Benson and the dental assistant during the overlap. Benson had to have two small cavities filled :( It happened to be the same day as Kinder camp, so we'll take Annika in September.

BK for lunch and gotta do the splits pose (:

A few weeks ago, David's cousin's wife, Roz Beus, posted on Facebook. Their daughter, Annie, was born 5 years ago (on 8/27, I think). She had heart defects and didn't live to be a year old. As Annie's 5th bday approached, Roz said she felt like she should be going kindergarten shopping for Annie. So, she did. But then she didn't want those items to just sit in a box. So she asked FB readers who had a child going into kindergarten to share something about their child. She would choose one of them to receive the school supplies and clothes. Well, she chose Annika. I was so touched. This is the message I sent to Roz: "We are honored to be a part of your sweet Annie's memorial. In fact it brings me to tears. Thank you for remembering your girl in this sweet way. I like to think that my mom holds and loves on all of the babies when they pass to the other side. She died 6 years ago this September. I consider this a tender mercy to receive your gift as I think about how my mom would've loved to take Annika school shopping. Thank you for your kindness in sharing this gift. I wish I could thank you in person! Much love to your family!" We received the package a few days later. The picture above shows the contents. It was loaded with fun school supplies, a backpack, a few outfits, scarf, necklace, and coloring book.

My girl's first day of school and 6th birthday! We love this sweet girl and miss her while she's at school. She was so ready to be a kindergartener. Before we left the house, she said "you can just drop me off in the front. I wrote down my classroom number and put it in my backpack." Oh my!  I insisted on walking her to her classroom for the first day!

Annika requested that I wrap her presents together in a big box :) We got her an American Girl Doll (walmart brand) and a huge pack of sidewalk chalk. She was thrilled to see the doll. She's been asking for one since last winter. She named her Callie. Papi got her 7 outfits for the doll.

She wanted a cream cheese pie- easy and delicious!

The beloved doll, Callie :)

Annika took an art class this summer. She LOVED it! It was once a week for the month of July. She brought this picture home and explained that it was Mom and Dad and the heart in the middle means they love each other. (: