Maslow Park's Splashpad

One evening, we took the three kids to the splashpad. Needless to say they had a great time.

Marie-Anne

Pool Party

Our friends Andy and Val invited us over for dinner and to let the kids play in the pool. We had so much fun!

Marie-Anne

Neighborhood Friends

The kids have made friends in our neighborhood, which is good. However, these friends want to be at our house all day. They sometimes show up as Chrissy is being dropped off, and if I say the kids can't play now they repeatedly come back or hang around right outside our front door waiting. Sometimes I think it is really Chrissy they come to see and wonder if they'll continue to visit Alex once I'm no longer babysitting. We shall see.

One day I told them that they could come over at 4 to watch a movie. So they watched The Lost Medallion.

We are trying to find a balance with these kids because I want my children to have friends, but I don't want to become a free babysitting service to all our neighbors either. Sometimes we let them in to play, sometimes we send the kids out, and sometimes we say not today. What kind of boundaries would you make in a situation like this?

Marie-Anne

Ninja Turtle Story-time

I took the kids to story-time at Barnes and Noble. I didn't know it was a special Ninja Turtle Story-time! The kids all got Ninja Turtle masks. Alex was excited and actually participated.

In addition to story-time they had a karate master give the kids "Ninja Training" and they received certificates. Sabrina's job of the day, (she changes careers a lot) was ninja.

Alex wanted to go back for the special Ninja Turtles craft time, but we were invited for fellowship at our friends' home. We had a wonderful fellowship and the kids were excited that some of their friends from church were invited too. We had a great time there.

Marie-Anne

Sunday School

It's only a few weeks until our last service at our church. We will be starting a new church in September.

I will miss these kids.

Marie-Anne

Pinball Hall of Fame

Today was our first time visiting the Pinball Hall of Fame. It is a non-profit that donates all proceeds to the Salvation Army. Row after row of games. I gave each kid $5 in quarters and turned them loose. When they ran out I gave them another small handful.

 

Of course, Frank and I played a few games as well- I played Q-Bert! I haven't even thought of that game since I was a kid.

The kids had so much fun. I promised we'd go back sometime.

Sabrina discovered that the ball grab was a game she could win and one of the few games where she could get a prize. Between the three kids, mostly Sabrina, we ended up with 9 balls.

Marie-Anne

Frozen Story-time

We took Sabrina, (the other kids had to tag along) to a special Frozen story-time at Barnes and Noble. "I met Elsa and Anna! They're really real!" (I will never tell her that they bear a strong resemblance to the ladies who do story-time on Tuesdays.)

Its a good thing I had no clue there would be nearly that many people or I wouldn't have gone. There were so many people that they had to ask parents to let the kids get to the front. Once Sabrina squeezed through I couldn't even see her or anything else going on. I felt sorry for the kids who came late. Sabrina's excitement made up for the standing around for a long hour while they read a story, sang songs, colored, and stood in line for pictures.

Alex and Chrissy spent the time in the kids section looking at books. Frank ran some nearby errands and came back in time to stand in line with us.

Marie-Anne

Nature Center

The three kids and I visited the Nature Center, but no hike- it was far too hot to even consider doing that.

Even though the displays haven't changed, I still love this place!

Marie-Anne

Sandmiches

We had a potluck at church and Sabrina wanted to make "sandmiches" all by herself. I gave what assistance she would take, but those sandmiches were covered in globs of mayo. She was so proud of her sandmiches that she told EVERYBODY that she made them. I can't say if they were all eaten, but all were taken.

Marie-Anne

Chuck E Cheese

 

Frank and I took the three kids to Chuck E Cheese. I had bought the Chuck E Cheese string cheese to get the 100 tokens for $20 coupon.

We also cashed in some tickets Alex had been saving so the kids came out with a lot of loot- a giant lollipop, two bags of cotton candy and assorted toys.

Marie-Anne