Summer camps, library activities

We had to go get some work done on the brakes. (I had already had other maintenance repairs done last week, so I'm a little annoyed at how much I've had to spend on van costs this month!) With Seth already gone to scout camp, and not wanting Carolyn to be alone with the other girls babysitting for 2-3 hours, I had to take them all with me to get the brakes dealt with. So they brought things to entertain themselves.

Carolyn and Natalie made little creations out of putty.

Alee and Kaitlyn did puzzles and toys and bounced a ball around (until I vetoed that due to risk to the cars on display in the lobby.)

Tuesday is library day and this was the first one we were able to go to: The Columbia Marionette theater put on their version of The 3 Little Pigs.

We also finished up swim lessons - and with their certificate, they got a snow cone.

The pool feels nice when you're lugging around an extra 40 pounds on the front and it's 90 degrees outside all afternoon.

Seth endured camp. (Gaga ball is something he actually likes to do outside...although he got half a black eye from playing it at camp with some boys that were a little too aggressive.)

Carolyn loved camp (this was her first year).

I was glad I have them all back together for a few days so we can do some things together (zoo, movie night, read a chapter book, catch up on chores, etc.) This summer has been a little busy and crazy with everyone going in different directions over and over again for camps and sleepovers and such.

Monday we went to the zoo for the first time this summer. Seth only requested the reptile and amphibian building. The girls only requested the splash pad. Along the way, the petting zoo/pony ride area got added.

With the splash pad area now part of the zoo, pretty much every summer trip will have the younger crowd in swimsuits and coverups.

The twins were right at the line for max height. This is their last year riding the ponies at the zoo (in fact, probably their last visit to the zoo riding them.)

Yuk...my goal is to touch nothing in the petting zoo area. (While I think their goal is to touch everything possible.)

It was really hot and my lower back was not thrilled with the walking, but I'm hoping to encourage the baby to fall out in the next 2 weeks. :) I did sit any chance I got - like at the carousel and while they played in the splash pad area.

I said let's just skip the carousel and go home since we'd already stayed past my 2 hour time limit, but then I changed my mind since Alee has been wanting to ride the carousel every time she has seen one this year. (We ended up staying about 3 hours and were late to a birthday party the twins attended Monday afternoon.)

Today was library day again and this time we had Chad Crews - a magician and snake lover. (There's always a snake somewhere in his show and he includes snake facts, and afterwards the kids are allowed to pet the snake.)

Kaitlyn, who has been annoying us (uh, I mean, entertaining us) with card tricks for nearly a month now had the privilege to be called upon to help with a trick. (Turned out to involve cards.) She talked to him after the show for probably 10 minutes. (And then we brought home more magic books...I think I'll add some magic things to her Christmas wish list if she's still trying to learn tricks by then.)

Alee didn't care to pet the snake (or maybe I just missed taking her picture?). She wanted to do only what her friend wanted to do today while we were there. The rest all touched the albino pied ball python.

Not sure what we'll do tomorrow. Park? Stay at home? Summer movie express? Pool? Go into labor? (just kidding...I doubt that will happen, but hey! I can hope!) We've had a lot of planned days, so tomorrow is left open (one of few days this month not pre-decided by plans made or activities we don't schedule).

Tonight we're doing our last official outdoor movie night. (We might have one more next Wednesday if I haven't had the baby before then and we have energy left to set that up.)  For now, we're going to read Ella Enchanted (and hopefully finish it right now). :)