Amelia loves school

We are doing a little school this summer with the kids. More just to review the concepts William learned last year to be ready for next year. William isn't loving it, but he cooperates. The big surprise is Amelia. She LOVES it and is constantly asking to do more. She does just about everything William does - much to his dismay. I've been trying to find ways to keep her focused on other tasks whole he is working on his work. I found this wipe board in the closet - no idea where we acquired it and put Amelia to work. While listening to William's work with one ear, she chugged her way through some handwriting and some math. Pretty impressive for a four year old!
*note: many of her numbers are backwards, but the math is all correct.

So happy

To be together again! These kids cannot get enough daddy time today!

Daddy's home!

Notice anything?

Yeah. I didn't want to advertise exactly what was going on while it was happening for a number of reasons, but John just got home tonight from a work related trip to South Korea. He has been gone for just over 2 weeks. 2 long weeks.

I'll go ahead and remind you that my precious children and 6,4 and 1. We have a small, but strong support system here, but no family closer than 6 hours.

John has never had to travel anywhere for work before, so this was a huge change for our family. I think in the back of our minds up until the day he left, we were kind of hoping it wouldn't work out and the trip would be cancelled. But, it was not. The truth here is that I was unhappy about being left behind! John just checked Asia off his continent list and I have not. No fair. Although this is the kind if trip I would consider taking the whole family with when the kids are a little older. The timing was just not right.

Thankfully, it worked out for us to spend over half of the time in Minnesota visiting our many of our wonderful friends and family. In particular, my parents worked overtime to get us there (travel with a 1 year old can be challenging) and then were the most gracious hosts. We are so thankful for their help and flexibility.

The second week, I flew solo here at home which had its challenges. I did it and survived as did the kids, but life is sure easier when you have another adult around to lean on.

I know John had lots of interesting stories and adventures to share with you (lost luggage, eating oatmeal with chopsticks, adventures in eating in the Korean cafeteria, business class travel excitement including lobster jello, restaurant hijinks, sightseeing trips and more). I am hopeful he will sit down to share some of his experiences here for the kids to look back upon.

It was my plan to get to the airport earlyish in order to meet up with John at the baggage claim. The kids and I worked very hard on some signs to welcome daddy home and everyone for cleaned up. Mama wore a dress and some lipstick (!). However, my plan didn't work out as I couldn't figure out which lot to park in and then got turned around between the terminals. So, the sweet family reunion was not to be. By the time I figured out where I needed to be, John was standing on the curb waiting for me. The flight was early and his bag was the first one out of the baggage claim (how often does that happen?). So, I'm disappointed about my plans, but happy daddy is back in town.

Happy in part because the technology tends to misbehave when John isn't here. Currently:

My phone won't take video
My email won't download
The enter button doesn't work on the computer
The printer isn't printing
The ice machine is leaking
The kids' radio isn't paying
Thermostat isn't working properly

I'm certain that with another week I could really get things a mess!

Sounds like a good list for tomorrow? Right?

4th of July parade

On my summer to do list is a parade. It's on the list every summer. When we were in Minnesota, I knew were going to miss our hometown's huge 4th of July parade. I was on a mission to find another parade. Luckily, Grandpa and Grandpa were on board and we found ourselves at the Stewartville parade!

We packed a picnic and grandma picked up some holiday treats to eat while we waited for the parade.

Girl time

With William out on the woods, we had some special girl time. Gemma discovered bugs, which wasn't very girly. It was very entertaining though.

Amelia talked grandma into a manicure and pedicure. She requested a patriotic pattern of white white and blue for the 4th of July holiday. However the best we could come up with was pink and peach. She was a very satisfied customer with her alternating pink and peachy fingers and toes.

Quarry hill

Part 2 (same day, can't fit all pictures in one post from my phone):

Counting rings on trees
Gemma loving hiking
Finding out the tennis shoes I brought for Gemma are now too small.
The rocky dock (a floating dock that rocks when you step on it)
A fossil hunting bust (we didn't find any)

Quarry hill adventure

Part one

Highlights:

A Trex skull
SNAKES!
Finding our wingspans