tire swing

Papa built a tire swing for the boys earlier this summer. I have been meaning to post it, but other things have been keeping us busy. The tire swing is very sturdy and loved by the boys, neighbors and anyone who visits. My dad was very proud of the tire swing. He is putting making one for my grama's house in Brockway for all my cousins to enjoy.

Nonnie pushing Everest and Leaf on their swings.

Whoo hoo! The tire swing is awesome!

When both swings are being used, you have to coordinate so they do not crash. We need to find a better place for Leaf's swing. It swings crooked where it is.

Leaf sucks his fingers the minute he gets into the swing. He loves to swing. Thanks Papa!

little Everest

Nathan and the boys were outside playing over the weekend, when our neighbor Eric biked by. He stopped and asked Nathan if he could write a poem about Everest. (Eric is our neighbor who lives near the ravine we cleaned up in the Spring- A Small thank you for our Mother Earth ). 

Eric stopped by a few hours later and gave us the poem he wrote. He is hoping to write a book of poems about children who inspire him. Everest was very proud of himself and we are too. He continues to pick up trash when we go for walks, and I am sure we will clean the ravine again soon.

I wanted to share Eric's poem with you.

 little Everest

They call the mountain Everest

And that is where he got his name

He could not have been three feet tall

But that just did not mean a thing

When Everest saw a problem

Such as a litter filled ravine

He would go and get his parents

And then make sure that it was clean

He would separate the little

And recycle what he could

Did not do it for the glory

But because he knew that he should

He may be a little boy right now

But he will keep doing what he can

And someday little Everest

Will be a mountain of a man

Fishing- the Four year old way

Papa taught Everest how to fish with a string and a stick. They were playing by the river at the campground and Everest found some fishing wire. They also found a good stick for fishing. They didn't have a hook so Papa tied another stick onto the end as the fish. Everest had so much fun "fishing". Next time Papa comes out, I think Everest might be ready to do some real fishing.

Nonnie helping Everest cast out his line.

Nonnie even got a turn to fish.

Everest pulling in a "big one".

Looking for more fish.

We saw this huge spider on a rock.

First day of Preschool

Everest had his first day of preschool on Aug 25th. He very proudly wore his Big Brother t-shirt. Nonnie and Leaf took Everest to school the first day.

We had rice and beans for dinner (Everest's request), and then went out for ice cream. Papa stayed home with Aurora.
When Leaf finished his yogurt, he said to Nonnie "hummy.. more...... now", Nonnie was kind enough to share her raspberry ice with him.

The ice cream store by our house has trains everywhere. There is a little village set up and a train goes through the ice cream displays. Everest and Leaf had a great time watching the train.

This is the same place we went last year for his first day of school, I guess it is a tradition for us. Last year he got to ride the tag-a-long there (which he loves). This year we drove, I am not up for riding just yet.

Surviving

We (Everest, Leaf, Aurora and I) made it through an entire day. Nathan worked a normal day on Wednesday. Everest has school on Wednesday so I figured I would get a little break, except he woke up sick. He stayed home from school. I would not say it was our best day ever, there was plenty of crying, quiet time and time out, but we survivied. I was very nervous about my first full day alone with all 3 kids, but in the end, all the kids are fine. They were fed, dressed and even napped. 

Today may be a different story. Aurora was up for 2 hours last night (she is stuffy and having a hard time breathing) and then up again at 5:20. At 6 Everest got up (still sick), and 6:30 Leaf woke up with croup. We have another few minutes before we call the doctor and see what time we can get an appointment today. I need to get the boys better so Aurora doesn't get anything more than a stuffy nose.

We are laying low today and hoping to feel better soon. There will be plenty of reading and drawing today, and maybe even a movie (a very rare treat at our house). We will see, Leaf has no interest in tv and I would rather sleep.

Thanks for checking on us. I will try to work on more posts today, we will see how it goes.