A Wonderful Adventure Day

I took the afternoon off recently and took the boys to the park. It is so easy to get caught up on all the things that have to be done!! In my defense though, it seems that this was a lousy summer! We had so many days that weren't very nice. When it was nice and I was getting something done that had to be done, I would think, 'tomorrow I will take the boys to the lake' and then tomorrow would be lousy!



Our walk started by taking us down the path to the waterfall. This is a wonderful walk down past a creek and some tall cliffs. The boys wanted to try climbing some of them.

Can We Go Down There, Mum?

Look! Bear Caves! (Erosion)

Off and Running

Climbing the Cliffs

Pure Energy on Austin's Face

Briton is trying to keep up his underwear. It was so funny. He must have put on his big brother's underwear cause every time I would look at him I would see him holding up his left side. Eventually the underwear found their way to my pocket and he was free to run, unencumbered! *laugh*

Then We Found The Creek Access

After the boys finished climbing around in the shallow creek, we headed back to the playground.

Walking To the Playground

Along the way they found two catamaran type boats that somebody had made. They were anchored on the shore with two rocks. The boys had a wonderful time playing with these simple contactions before they very carefully replaced them exactly where they had found them. That was a wonderful addition to their day!

We Found Two Boats on the Way

Paddling

As well as playing with the boats, the little ones decided to try throwing rocks. This was a great idea but first they had to be taught you do *not* throw rocks in the direction of another person! One little guy almost got a rock in the head (accidently) of course!

Skipping Stones

Playground fun to follow...

Summer Camp and Big Boys

Our biggest boys were camp counsellors and maintenance men this summer. Their younger brother, Cassidy, was a camper that week. It was neat to hear from both Colt and Dane, at two different times, that Cassidy was the most mature kid in his cabin. Both older boys caught Cassidy's cabin mates in something 'naughty' - ie: squirting bug spray at each other's faces - and I asked if Cassidy had been doing it. The boys all said no, and how Cassidy was so mature. Well, you have to understand what it is like to have big brothers! They *always* think Cassidy is just a little kid and treat him as such. It was really rewarding for me to hear that *they* both noticed how mature he was. I am sure it made him feel good too!

Brothers

It is so rewarding having such a variety of ages!! When I watch Colt at camp as he is seeing his friends off it is so neat to see him immerging as this confident, well-liked young man!

Saying Good-bye To Summer Friends

And seeing how loving Dane is with his little brothers - I was just telling him tonight that it really shows me what a kind man he will be. He has a 'nice' spirit with the young ones. And then today was a good example of why you need *at least* six kids! LOL!!

I had Colt and Dane at work with their dad, and Cassidy was building a fort with Austin, around one side of the house, and then Cooper came speeding by on his big brother's bike from the other direction, while Briton toddled by pushing his big dump truck with his blue jeans half down his bottom! Too cute! I find it so entertaining to see the different ages doing different things, at the same time!

Crazy Cooper

One day Cooper decided to put on his big brother's moonshoes (dejavu?) and off he went hopping around the yard. Oh, look at the apron! This would be the same day as the day he went running laps. He *obviously* had lots of energy that day! *laugh*

Little Runner in Big Shoes

Our boys run laps when they have extra 'energy' to burn off. The other day I sent Cooper running one lap around the house, and a little later I looked out the window and I see this cute little guy, wearing his cook's apron, running around the house in his big brother's runners! He turned and looked at me with this big goofy grin as he went trolloping by. *smile*

Our TV Room and Father's Day

For Father's Day, while Ray was outside building a fence, I had the boys working with me. I climbed up on the bunkbed and hung over the top while the boys posed down below me. It took us about two hours to get all the photos and then I had to work to edit them all. The end result was a wonderful picture for Ray.

Briton was used in many pictures. He was amazing in his cooperation and understanding about 'pulling in his arms or feet' to make sure the picture was accurate.

Agile Boys

Our "Twins".

Below are pictures of our colourful tv room. I made a character picture wall. Each picture in these frames shows our boys in the way we know them best - at this time in their lives.

Brotherly Love

The boys came home from working with Ray one day. I wanted to get a picture of them in their filthy state. Cassidy did not want a picture of his dirty face. So his brother "helped" him. *smile*

What's the Big Deal?

How's This?

Self Sufficient Snack Makers

Cooper decided to make himself and Briton a snack.

Food! Cooper Loves Anything He Can Eat.

Washing Dishes

Caught Red Handed Having a "Drink".

After I Caught Him Making Himself a "Snack"!

Recapping the "Drink"!

Oh Patriotic Son

Ever since we bought Ray a Canada flag for the new house, Dane has taken it upon himself to be the flag raiser and lowerer (if there is such a word!) Every morning at 8:00 am sharp Dane is out there hanging the flag. And every night at 8:00 pm sharp he is back out there taking it down.

Bike Fun

Cooper Teaching Briton to Ride

Briton so wants to ride a big boys bike. He takes Cooper's bike and just pushes it around the yard. He is too tiny yet, to be able to ride it. I have put him on and pushed him around but he is too short. He is content to just push the bike around the yard.

Let Me Try it By Myself

Making Briton a Kickstand

The Trike Might Be Easier

The older boys have all decided this summer, while Dane was away, to move up a bike. I am sure that will quickly change when Dane gets home and wants his bike back! One day I looked outside and Cooper was riding Austin's bike pell-mell down the grassy slope. That kid is a maniac! He is still only four! Then Austin had taken over Cassidy's bike and Cassidy had taken over Dane's bike. They were calling each other by the name of the owner of the bike! *laugh*

Keeping Briton Safe

After Briton escaped from our yard and we had to call the police we attached a bell to him whenever he would leave the house. Actually, at first he was wearing the bell in the house and out because I couldn't trust him not to get out of the house.

Father's Day weekend brought Ray and the older boys the job of building a front fence. We will be building the fences down the sides of the yard this fall. But for now, this is what we need to keep the little escapee in the yard! Unfortunately it did rain on one of the days! I felt bad that Ray had to work part of Father's Day but we really didn't have a choice! The older boys were about to leave on their summer holidays the following weekend and we needed the physical manpower to get those holes dug and the panels up.

Unloading the Hole Digger


Putting in the End Fence Post

I love seeing 'the men' at work. It is such a neat feeling. I have my toddler, my preschooler, my school age boys and then my men. Dane, at 13, has moved on. He now feels trapped if he has to stay in the house and help me with housework. Cassidy, 10, still doesn't mind, but does prefer to do guys work. Dane, on the other hand, you can see chomping at the bit. He needs to be out there doing a guys work. It is such a satisfying feeling to see these young men imerging from boys!

The First Panels Go Up

The Machine for Digging Holes

A Tree Down in Front - Beetle Kill

The Stump That Was Left Deciding To Pull It Out

Ray hooked up his truck and drove diagonally across the road. I was sure he was going to wreck his truck! But it was a lot easier than it looked!

There Goes the Wire and Fence Post!

Just Like A Peanut From a Shell

Building the Front Gate

Gates

Notice Ray's Radiant Smile - Job All Done

At first Ray wasn't so sure about a front fence. He thought we would feel closed in and it wouldn't look good. But right after he built it, I would see him sitting at the kitchen table, looking out the livingroom window and down the driveway. He realized how classy it looked.

We have had nothing but compliments on it. People appreciate the privacy and think it looks attractive.