July 10

Long story short: we were supposed to go to the lake and then to Holiday World (an amusement park) this week while Clay is off work. Since that didn't pan out, we had the bright idea to take the kids to King's Island (a different amusement park) and spend a couple of days in Cincinnati. Who on Earth takes 4 small children to an amusement park with only 2 adults!?! We do. We. Are. Idiots.

The kids a great time and we very well behaved. In fact, I don't there was one fit (from the kids) all day. Me? I threw several. It was hot and it was stressful trying to herd 4 kids around a crowded theme park all day. The food was crazy expensive too, which was hard on this cheapskate. We headed to the water park mid-afternoon and from then on, things seemed to improve. We were all able to play together in the water park, whereas all morning we had to split up into groups because the kids couldn't all ride the same rides. The temperature started getting more comfortable out, and somehow we managed to stay at the park from 10am-10pm. For about an hour Clay got to go off on his own and ride some of the big rides. Would I go to King's Island again? No. The kids had fun, but they could have ridden the same rides at the State Fair for a whole lot less money!

July 9

Clay has taken the next 3 days off work to hang out with the family. We took the kids to Chuck-E-Cheese for dinner before heading to Julia's gymnastics class.

 

Cherry pit-spitting contest. Yes, we are so high class!

 

 

 

July 8

The temperature reached 106 yesterday - our city's second highest temp on record. The kids and I (Clay went to a Magic card Tournament) decided to go to the Science Center because the kids needed to burn off some energy and it was too hot to play outside. It only cost me $5! The kids all had free tickets from the library's summer reading program and the tickets are only $5 after 5pm on Saturdays. Bonus!

Why are they covering their ears?

Because of this! We got to the museum in time for a demonstration called "Explosion of the Day". Each balloon had a different element inside it that caused a different reaction when lit. It was really cool.

The temporary exhibit right now is called "Science in Play". This is where we spent the majority of our time. We all agree that we need to go back with the largest kid in our family (Clay) so he can play too.

 For some reason there is now a double-size golden replica of Michael Angelo's David about a block from the Science Center. We walked past it -twice. The kids thought it was goofy that you could see his "privates". Really though, you almost can't help but stare at it. It's about as tacky as "art" gets!

July 7

I heard the meterologist say that today is going to be one of the top two or three hottest days on record! It's going to be 105+ with the heat index.

Gus got his summer 'do this morning. After 2 hours of brushing, clipping hair and nails, cleaning out his ears, bathing him, taking a shower (me), vacuuming the dog hair out of the carpet, sweeping the Gus hair off the porch, and cleaning out the bathtub after bathing Gus, I have decided it is well worth the money to pay for Gus to be groomed!!!  

The girls have been spending far too much time lately watching TV, playing on the ipad, wii, and computer, so we are limiting their electronics.... probably not the smartest move since it is too hot to play outside. They have done a good job entertaining themselves for hours making a "julery and hair store" using their hairbows and popbeads.

 

 

July 6

We went swimming with my friend Aimee and her boys today. It's another scorcher - 100+ degree day. The pool felt great and the kids had alot of fun playing together.

 

 

July 4

Happy 4th of July! 

We were in a small hometown parade and then got to have a water fight with the local firemen. It was extremely hot out again, so the kids had fun getting soaked by the fire hoses. We met Stump for lunch on our way back home. The kids did great in the car. Lucy and Elliott had enough of the car and screamed for most of the last 30 minutes of our drive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kat decided to strip her wet clothes off in Nonna's car... which meant she was naked and had to run into Nonna's house for her dry clothes.... so used an umbrella for cover as she dashed into the house!

 Eating lunch at the sauna... I mean McDonald's. The AC was broken. I will never eat at a restaurant as long as I live if it's 100 degrees outside and the restaurant's AC isn't working. Holy moly was it miserable! PS - Stump has lost over 30 pounds. Doesn't he look great?

We lit some fireworks when we got home. 

It's a safe bet that we wore out the grandparents. Taking 4 kids anywhere is quite the chore, but hosting our crew is not an easy thing to do either. We're a rather large, energetic bunch! Looking forward to sleeping in our own beds and hopefully getting back into a routine. 

July 3

 Nonna and the kids had a picnic breakfast on the porch

Lucy and I had a visit with Sara and her new baby boy Seth. Isn't he sweet? Lucy looks huge next to a newborn! Clay and Tim took the big kids to the movies while Nonna stayed home with Elliott.

 Lucy hasn't figured out how to drink from a straw, but she has figured out that there's something good in the cup!

Nonna and the kids dipped pretzel rods in chocolate and then added sprinkles.

July 2

 

Grandpa took the kids for a ride around the block on his motorcycle. Elliott loved it!

  Maddie really loves "Baby Woosey"

 

We got to Nonna's house at dinner time and played outside with the hose for awhile.

 My children are nudists! Hey, it saves me on laundry!

Bedtime story

July 1

We visited with Nonna today. After church we ate lunch at one of my favorite places - The First Wok. Yummy! After naps, Nonna showed us her new workplace. It has a gym, so we played around on the equipment for a little while.