Summertime

I am happy to report that we've been out camping twice so far. Our third camping trip was cancelled by some friends unfortunately. But we've been living up summer so far. With two camping trips, and a day at 7 Peaks, we're off to a good start :). I LOVE SUMMER! I think each year gets more exciting with kids as they are more aware and talkative about various summer activities. We went to a splashpad in Herriman yesterday which was a lot of fun. I have our Summer Calendar printed up with fun summer things all over it and can't wait. Among the activities on the list are:
Seven Peaks
Go to a nearby Park
Homemade popscicles
Make our own Super bubbles http://www.kids-party-paradise.com/bubble-recipes.html
Paint the Sidewalk with Water
Visit a pet store
Call Someone you love
Go to a splash-pad
Dinosaur meuseum
Candy Necklaces with movie
Visit the aquarium
Wash the Car
Write someone a note and deliver
Photo Shoot
Watch a Movie
Feed the Ducks
Go to a Garage Sale
Make a Time Capsule
Lunch with Stuffed Animals as guests
Draw Hopscotch and play it http://www.ehow.com/how_4430898_draw-perfect-hopscotch.html
Plastic tablecloth with shaving cream fun
Circle chalk game http://www.littlehandsbigwork.com/2010/03/fun-side-walk-games.html
Paint outside: paint made with cornstarch, water (equal parts) and food coloring
Paper airplane fun http://idigpinterest.blogspot.com/2013/04/worlds-best-paper-airplane.html
Paint with water on construction paper
Build a cup tower and knock it down with water guns
Family: Gilgal Sculpture Garden (bring a picnic 749 E 500 S Salt Lake City, UT 84102 )
Sweet’s Candy Factory:Phone:801-886-1444 Address:3780 W Directors Row
Salt Lake City, UT 84104
Church History Meuseum
Walk around Temple Grounds
Clark Planetarium
Put water in pan and roll dice. Every time a 6 is rolled, hit the water and SPLASH!
Homemade Gak http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/01/homemade-gak.html
Mini Marshmallow shooters http://www.cometogetherkids.com/2011/09/mini-marshmallow-shooters-or-pom-pom.html
Masking tape car track http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/17823/build-a-track
Make Kool Aid Popcorn and watch a show http://maddycakesmuse.blogspot.com/2012/04/kool.html

I am STOKED! And so far, my boys are loving the extra fun! On a side note, I have started doing preschool at home with Parker. I'm not sure how many saw my post on facebook about being on the fence with sending him to preschool or doing it myself, but I decided to do it myself at least this year and possibly re-visit the idea of formal pre-school for his year before kindergarden. Most kids his age (almost 3) haven't started preschool yet but I decided I might as well get started. So, we started about a month ago and so far so good! It makes me feel so good when I can tell how much he is retaining! Here is how our daily routine goes now:
-Wake up
-Eat breakfast
-Get Dressed
-Read Scriptures (We have a the "Book of Mormon Stories" book that has lots of pictures but goes through the entire BOM)
-Read books (lots of them. From the library. I can only read a book so many times before I myself am bored with it. So, the library it is :))
-Various activities I've planned out that focus on a letter, number and shape of the week.

He knows all of his colors (but has for quite some time)
He recognizes all but 3 letters in the alphabet now (he knows upper-case better than lowercase for now)
He knows about half of the sounds the letters make
He recognizes numbers 1-5 (numbers have been harder than letters for him)
He counts EVERYTHING really well up to ten (after ten he keeps repeating 8, 9, 10 and sometimes throws in some 19, 17 etc. :))
He knows the shapes of oval, circle, triangle, square, rectangle, heart, star REALLY well
His vocabulary and imagination is expanding by the day
He is getting so good at writing! He can trace really well and can even write many letters all by himself!

One of the many crafts we've been doing. His "W" Glasses:


I am so proud of him and I'm loving "dedicating" so much more time for him!

P.S. Spencer has been taking so many steps. He's pretty much walked across the room and has stood up without holding anything 4 times now! So adorable and exciting!

Here are some pictures from camping: