Gone Fishing!

What a great day for fishing! We weren't sure if we'd be able to go at first. It had been raining all morning. Matilda said, "I don't like the look of those clouds!" (from the book we read this week, Mr. Gumpy's Motor Car. I love how they prove they were paying attention to our book reading!)

The kids were so excited! Do you know what? I think the adults were too.

Getting the gear out and the poles ready.

 Grandpa Jerry explaining what he was doing.

 Tavin was all set up with his pole and relaxing in his chair.

 Pretty content bunch.

 Patience...

 He caught one!

 Grandpa helped Matilda have a turn.

 And another one!

 Let's take a closer look!

 And Daddy caught a little guy too!

 Matilda and Abe, enjoying the wagon.

 The kids enjoyed just hanging around the water, watching the ducks and geese and playing with nearby sticks.

 Grandpa Jerry's catch of the day!

 Abe and Grandpa.

 No eyewear is safe around Abe.

 So sweet.

Baby geese!

Argh! Pirates!

Pirates have made a comeback in our house. I think certain themes like pirates come and go in cycles. It's amazing how one little thing will spark their interest for a while.

It's fun to provide a few crafty items and let their imaginations take care of the rest. I'd much rather let them make up their own "crafts" than have me instruct them on how to put something together. There is a time and a place for following craft instructions I suppose but...nah, their way is more fun!

Monsters!

Another free-lance creation by Matilda.

Just like the pirate theme coming and going...certain toys go in cycles too. Just look at all the fun that has been had here! I think we have a good thing going.

Those little dollar store soldiers have been priceless for this guy.

Abe's new favorite spot.

Painting her stick. It's rather common to find random sticks and rocks in our house. I have washed a few, unknowingly, as well.

Mud puddle fun!

He looks so debonair. 

Kitchen chaos? It's one way for a mom to get a few things done.

Glitter glue creations.

Bird house painting.

Argh! (Yes, Tavin has worn that shirt more than once in a week. Not worth a battle to me.)

Sizing each other up. Hopefully they'll be good play mates someday soon.

Our goofy co-op friends. Our last day of the co-op for the year.

Fun with bubbles!

"M" is for May...

...and Matilda! 

She is magnificent!

Here she is balancing the animals from the Animal Upon Animal game.

 Abe is always curious as to what his big brother and big sister are doing but Matilda blocks him off this time.

 Perusing some books while she waits for us to go to the park.

 Matilda in McKennan Park.

 Matilda making May Day flower baskets.

Matilda posing in her "Matilda" dress. The dress suits her name and her personality. (Thank you cousin Elise.)

Getting ready to dance and sing around the May Pole.

A little tangle but they got it figured out.

 Fun time for everyone!

Miami Vice Abe.

Abe and Matilda playing with little butterflies.

"What is this? I love it."

 "What is this under my shoes?"

 Precious boy.

Matilda said she was collecting these for the squirrel.

Tavin found one that he thought needed cracking.

Gathering their nature art supplies.

 Posing by their nature art.

Majestic Matilda.

Meat and cheese taste much better in fun little shapes.

Washing her dishes from her blueberry muffin baking.

All The Secrets Of The World is the main book we were reading this week. They learned a secret... things look smaller when they are far away.

Matilda is in Tavin's hand?!

Tavin is in Matilda's hand?!

Pretty standard around here.

Rock painting with friends.

The kids were on stilts to see what it might be like to be giraffes. Close enough.

Abe was keeping track of the balls while Tavin and Matilda played t-ball.