I took the kiddos today to our local dairy bar (our local dairy farmers have created their own ice cream bar and have attached a miniature golf area)!  It's out in the mountains and you pretty much have to KNOW where it is to get there!  It's a full-size mini golf course and the kids had a BLAST!  I was not sure, at first, about taking two small children mini-golfing by myself, but they loved it!  Yes, they were wanting to run around and not wanting to wait their turn. 

When asked, "Did you have fun today?"  The answer from both was an emphatic, "YES!"  That's all that truly matters!  The fact that I've pulled my hair out no longer matters!  haha

Jacob told me the other day that he wanted S'mores!!  I closely monitored my marshmallow on a long fork over the gas stovetop.  It turned out nice and toasty brown and melted perfectly on our chocolate and graham crackers!  (hint:  I kept a bowl of water VERY close by just in case).  It caught fire one time and I quickly blew it out (like at a campfire).  I never let it melt off of the fork onto my stovetop.  

Memorial Day 2012

Our local town has an annual Memorial Day Parade.  Well, Jacob LOVES a parade!  I took the time to explain to him that his daddy used to serve in the military and he is a veteran.  

Our men and women of the armed forces really did/do devote themselves to our freedom.  Let's also not forget the military spouses & their families that hold down the fort while the military member is deployed!  

Mmmmmmmm.....Grilled Cheese Sandwiches! A CLASSIC!

You just can't go wrong with giving the kids Grilled Cheese Sandwiches!!!!  Well, MY kids would never refuse them!  haha  I like to add ham to it once in a while to change them up.  What do you do as a twist on a classic?

Our Next Rainy Day Adventure...

I am always on the lookout for a new adventure for us to try out!  My lil guys need constant redirecting and focusing.  We have been having pop-up rain showers/t'storms lately.  Here is something interesting that I've found:  http://www.mommy-labs.com/creative-kids/art_craft_projects_kids/importance-of-sensory-play-a-rice-sensory-box-and-rice-art/!  Thank you to Mommy-Labs.com for the fantastic sensory idea!  I absolutely LOVE the coloring rice, playing in the rice and making art with the rice!  

Stormy Day - Safe Inside

Yep!  We're safe inside away from the storms!  We decided that we should build a tent with 2 chairs, twin sheet, pillow, lantern (Fisher-Price), weather radio (w/flashlight in case lights go out so kids aren't scared) and lots of books to read!  We're starting up our Summer Reading through Scholastic Summer Challenge!  We just document our minutes spent while reading and redeem the minutes towards prizes later!  We also used the bad weather towards popping popcorn!  The kids love to eat that!  

Our Stimulating Summer

I am seeking out the most fun activities that our in our own backyard!  I have planned for us to visit the  The Crayola Factory,  Hawk Mountain, Roadside America, Gettysburg Children's Museum, Crystal Cave....and that's just to get us started!  

I am still exploring local activities for my children.  My favorite is  Lowes Build and Grow Clinic.  This weekend, the children are building an Ice Cream Truck!  So far, John & Jacob have built a race car, dinosaur, basketball goal and a terrarium!  The next big build on June 9th will be a Madagascar 3" airplane!  I'm sure that movie will be high on our "Summer Must-See" list!  

We have already been busy exploring on our own turf!  We have made lemonade, eaten watermelon (discovered seeds haha), swept the porch & sidewalk, created a chalk hopscotch grid, rode big wheels, dug in the dirt (examined ants, earthworms, grubs and roly polies), played basketball, etc.  I like to keep things simple.  We love to dance!  We danced a Conga line on Cinco de Mayo!  The kids LOVED that!  My next big venture will be the piñata!