Weeks 20-24: Mother's Day to Father's Day

End of the school year activities and dance recital transitioned to house guests (and lots of baking) and swim. We were going non-stop, but I think now we may have settled a bit! Here's a look at all the things.

From Zach

From Gabe

From Charlotte: a handprint potholder to complete my collection. A kindergarten tradition.

Helping out at school

a fantastic bubble blower day that we have not been able to replicate

First band concert!

Cub Scout step up ceremony. Gabe wasn't thrilled with the face paint.

A trip to Ikea: we returned one of my desks that had broken and came home with a new bookcase. Of course that required rearranging things.

Fifth grade graduation ceremony.

I helped with Gabe's class for field day.

Zach got his own library card and we went three times in one week. They have a sticker mosaic that you get a few pieces for, and then guess the picture.

I haven't been doing very involved cooking lately, but this new one was good and also easy. Roast chicken thighs on veggies.

The boys have been inventing board games.

Tents and sleepovers almost every night.

We spent a little time at the pool on Memorial Day after getting our passes. It hasn't been warm enough for me yet.

last day of school

last day of dance class

Lisa arrived!

Morning swim team practices started!

Let the baking/cooking/experimenting/painting/computer gaming/watching movies/blow torching/cake decorating lessons begin. We did so much fun stuff during the week that Lisa was here. Zach and Charlotte were helping with bread sticks for the spaghetti dinner the day Barb arrived for the dance recital.

making the cream filling for doughnuts

making vanilla ice cream

Charlotte ate many servings of ice cream that week, all covered in a sprinkling of Nerds candy.

We got a new computer! Aside from the games, Zach is most excited about the fact that he can run Photoshop.

determinedly attempting buttercream roses

Homemade crème brûlée/crema catalana and chocolate Mickey cakes. I finally used the dishes that I bought in Barcelona over 20 years ago.

And we couldn't resist frying some chicken after getting out the deep fryer for the doughnuts.

Other stuff going on: Zach canoeing with the Boy Scouts.

After Charlotte had fun making a mess with her recital flowers, I stole some of them for my office.

Zach and friends at the pool

We were there late that day! Still too cold for me to go in.

Practices are going well. Gabe now swims the 25 meters across, stopping for breaks when he needs to.

Two meets so far. Zach is learning breast stroke and butterfly.

He agreed to cut his hair a little shorter because of all the time in the pool. None of the kids will wear swim caps.

We made it! Father's Day pounce on the bed/card opening and lunch at Chili's :)