Blossom is 20 months old...

Her smile makes me smile!

Alpha Picnic 2015...

I love the company picnic.  Josh's company does a great job each summer putting together a fun themed summer picnic for it's families.  The food is great, everything is geared towards kids and we get a large portion of Hovander all to ourselves.
 Each summer as street festivals and parades are popping up each weekend with their hoards of crowds, I am ever so thankful for the company's own mini festival just for it's employees.  It never feels like a crowd.  My kids don't have to wait is massive lines to use the jumpy castle.  It's relaxed and very enjoyable.  Did I mention the great food.

 Fun decorated tables!

Of course having a little one makes it fun all over again.  And even though all my boys are starting to out grow the jumpy castle and obstacle course, they are enjoying it through Blossoms eyes.

This years theme was sports.

Oh Yeah!  Blossom totally rocked the toddler size basketball.  With us around, she has her own group of cheerleaders.

She thought all those soccer balls were pretty neat.

It was difficult to play a serious game of ladder ball when they kept walking away.  And she wasn't too happy when she whacked herself in the head with one. 

The Architect and Papa played a little bit of football.

Oh! He almost caught that one.

And then it was time to head home.  Another great Alpha Picnic!

2014 Picnic Link

I Love State History...

I love state history, particularly ones own state history.  I know this stems from my elementary school years in Alaska where learning state history was mandatory in the classroom.  I learned about our state flag, song, bird, insect, flower and wildlife.  There was a great feeling in knowing I was an Alaskan.  I'm impressed with Alaska's educational goal in instilling this knowledge in it's young people.  

I know this is somewhat of an exception because during my elementary years I spent every winter in Arizona where I also attended public school.  I can't remember a single Arizona state fact or bit of history from the six winters I attended school there.  

Instilling state knowledge can instill state pride and that's a good thing.  I find it akin to citizenship training and being a good steward of ones natural resources.  

That's why I'm a stickler for my boys to complete their Washington State history by grade six.  The professor completed his WA state project in this blog post.

Now. the Architect has completed his project.  I'm so thankful to my friend Anna who gave me her geo sculpt kit!

Summer Crafts...

This summer we haven't taken much of a break from academics.  The boys have continued with completing their math lessons for the year.  Science has also been a priority, as well as Washington State history and some language arts.  Schooling during the summer was not my plan at the beginning of the last school year but it's been necessary.

Thankfully summer creativity has not been squashed.

 The Professor's project - made during his free time.

Very useful and sits in our school room.