Butterflies and Adelyn Jewel

The children and I got monarch caterpillars AND monarch eggs on milkweed at Nannie and Vance's house!  This was the first time we successfully hatched the caterpillars from the egg in containment.  My niece, Emma, instructed us to keep the leaves moist and in a warmer area and it seemed to work!  Those caterpillars are TINY, though, when they hatch.  I truly think they were in the jar for a couple of days before we ever actually saw them.  It was fun to watch the metamorphasis, yet again.  This year, Mia seemed to really understand that a change was underway and it was fun to experience that with a little mind in the house again.

We happened to have a chrysalis open one day when our niece/cousin, AJ was visiting.  Her reaction was pretty priceless!

Picnic before turning the butterfly loose.

We had 4 butterflies total that we watched.

The 3rd one was a little special.  We never did see him fly, but left it for mother nature to handle.  The next morning it was gone, I suspect via the food chain.

Butterflies are always a fun time of year.  My sister purposefully planted a patch of milkweed in the middle of her yard so that she can easily access the monarch caterpillars, eggs, and their food source.  #winning

School "Kick-Off" Day

We had our official first day of school on Monday, July 30th this year, but we had our "fun kick-off" on Friday, August 3rd, because Daddy was home and life is always more fun with Daddy!

Our first week of school was pretty basic, just getting back into the routine of our day.

On our fun day we did a little bit of "light schooling" and then played Bird Bingo before an early lunch and then heading out for surprises.

Surprise #1:
Christopher Robin in theater! 
We rarely go to the theater, because $$$, but it's always a treat when we splurge!
The movie was clean and adorable and held everyone's attention with the help of big tubs of popcorn.

Surprise #2:
Bowling!
The last use of our summer "Kids Bowl Free" coupons. 

We bowled 2 games.  Zayden was getting pretty worn out by the end but we stuck in there.

Natalee is always our top bowler among the kids when we go!  I wish we lived closer so she could join a kids' league.

Winner winner!!  For both games, I think!  (Zayden and I shared the last two spots on the line up because he was fussy.  I'd tell you those scores are not a true reflection of my bowling ability but...lies. LOL)

This was a great day and a fun way to kick off our first week of school! 

Happy Birthday, Grammy!

We met Miguel, Kea, and AJ midway between our house and theirs and celebrated Grammy Sara's birthday!  Supper was delicious and we were so lucky to have our own room at the restaurant where the kids could shift around a bit as we ate and visited. 

After supper, we went to a park so that the kids could run and we could visit a little more.  Our summer was not conducive to spending as much time with our extended family as we wished, so this was a nice night to relax and just be.

Zayden - he he.  He'd worn jeans, boots, and a polo to supper and it was hot at the park so we got him the spare outfit from the diaper bag....shorts with boots and a tank.  Stylish. 

 Swings for everyone! 

Happy birthday, Grammy, and cheers to many more!