Slip and Slide!

Another item on our Summer To-Do List was to play on a Slip and Slide. Yes, we've owned the cheap ones in the past. Yes, they are fun. For a bit. They seem to tear easily and aren't very wide. We've had grass burns from sliding off the narrow tarp. SO...I took a trip to Menards. Here's what I came home with:
A roll of black 3mm painter's plastic. It was 12' x 25'
Tent stakes

Then I got the hose out along with some dish soap and we went to work. We put the tarp out in the yard but didn't even unfold it the whole way! It was a total of 6'x25'. We put the sprinkler on and put dish soap on the tarp.

Then we had FUN!

 This little one was a little apprehensive at first and preferred to sit on her dad's lap...

 but that didn't last long! She got right in the middle of things!

Happy 7th Birthday, Henry!

Happy 7th Birthday to Henry! On July 17 Hanks turned SEVEN. Seems crazy to me really. Seven seems old. Henry doesn't seem old yet. Or maybe I just don't want him to be old. He is the most tender boy in the world and my love for him grows daily. He is an amazing artist, great brother and awesome reader. We love you so much, Henry! More and more every day!

 We went to Crazy Horse for his birthday. Not because he loves the food,

 but because he was excited to get the birthday sundae!

 It was definitely a Lego and Playmobil birthday...again. He can never get enough!

 The sundae he was hoping for!

 A couple of quick pics outside after dinner.

Abigail and Johanna

Colin thinks that Johanna looks like Abby. I don't think they look near as much alike as he does. Here are pictures of them, both around three years old at the Imagination Station. Hmm...they look like sisters, but definitely different to me!

Abigail, 2 years, 10 months

Johanna, 3 years, 3 months

Grand Haven Triathlon

Colin took part in the Grand Haven Triathlon today. It's always a great race that he loves to participate in and we love to watch! He does the Olympic Triathlon which is a 1.5K swim, 40K bike ride and 10K run. Today could not have been a more perfect morning for the race. It was absolutely gorgeous! The water was warm for the swim, the air perfectly cool for the biking and then the sun was shining bright during the run. Colin's goal was to complete the race with a time of 2 hours, 45 minutes which is FAST! He did it in 2 hours, 44 minutes. We are so proud of him! The triathlon ends by the YMCA which is by a fun park that the kids love to play at. Haans, Bebe and Sylvie joined us and the kids got to play for awhile. Then Grandpa took everyone out for McDonalds...what a great morning!

 Abby was very serious about cheering on the bikers!

 Waiting for dad to bike past us.

 Here he comes!

 Colin also had the support of his dad, Haans, Bebe and Sylvie - so nice!

 Coming into the finish! 2 hours, 44 minutes!!

 Playing at the Imagination Station after the race

Happy Fourth of July!

We celebrated the Fourth of July at the cottage again this year. Our day started out with the Edgewood Glory Day Parade. The kids really look forward to this and all had fun in it this year. Abby rode her bike, Henry his scooter and Johanna her bike. All of them were decked out in red, white and blue glitz and looked great!

After the parade we got ready for the picnic. Henry had helped me make food earlier in the day so we were pretty much ready to go. One of the things we made was red, white and blue strawberries (they were yummy!) and Johanna added the flags to make them even more festive.

 Firecracker straws - the kids always want me to buy these! :)

 Henry lost a tooth on July 3. He loved that he could put the straw right through the 

opening in his mouth.

 "I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag..."

We also put popsicle sticks in watermelon to make "Watermelon on a stick." It was great and a lot less messy than regular watermelon pieces. And more fun too!

Here are more pictures of the day:

 Daddy's Girl! Colin -33, Johanna 3 years, 3 months

 Aunt Nancy and Uncle Blaine were in Michigan and Johanna LOVED seeing Nancy again! She had fallen in love with her in Florida and it was great to see her again!

 I love these kids!!

 We knocked another item off of our "Summer To Do List" and tie-dyed on the night of July 3. The kids did an awesome job and we were all really happy with how the shirts turned out!

 Another scooter ride for Johanna...the flag sure adds to the fun!

 Three adorable kiddos in tie-dye...love it!

And the necessary goof-off picture too. :)