Boys Week 2011

We seem to have started a tradition. It didn't start out that way, but now that it has happened, I am enjoying it. I know it won't last forever, so we'll have fun with it while we can. Some of the grandchildren seem to enjoy spending a few days with us during the summer. This week 3 of the boys, ages, 10, 8 and almost 4, have been staying with us. We've been trying to keep them busy. They are ruthless UNO players! They worked on projects in the garage with Grandpa. The older boys made wooden spoons, while the little one made a brontosaurus.

Now that hot summer weather seems to have arrived at last, we had to get out the Slip 'n Slide. (Note to the mothers: Yes, we put sunblock on them!)





One day we decided to make a picnic lunch and go to the shady park here in town.







Before we went to the park we spoke to the boys about the danger in the little creek that runs through the park. With the sudden onset of hot weather, the snow is melting rapidly in the mountains, causing our usually placid little creek to seem pretty ferocious. The boys were very respectful of the water and were careful to stay close to us and observe the water from a distance.



Of course the time would not be complete without a day to spend at the living history farm playing pioneer. The boys worked hard carrying water and using the 2-man saw.

I was amazed how much food they ate after all the work they did. They must have worked up a real appetite.



Of course it is not all work at the pioneer site. You see, there is this marvelous game where you use a cloth ball hung from a tree branch which you use to knock cans off a stump. Such a game could entertain some almost 4 year olds for hours.





On a blazing hot summer day, one job turned out to be quite fun. The cabin needed a bit of new chinking and daubing, so the children rolled up their pant legs and waded in to make some lovely mud and straw mixture to use in fixing up the cabin. It was a good way to cool off.







We even found a special visitor again today:



Later we made a batch of soft cheese flavored with sage leaves for an afternoon snack....and also had some nice cool watermelon.




We finished off the day in grand fashion with rides on ponies and the train.








On the way home, the little one fell asleep almost before we left the parking lot.