We started off our summer with a slightly different type of education at an event for Compassion International. We each received headsets from which we listened to stories of three young children who grew up around the world, each in extreme poverty. As we listened, we walked through rooms that were designed to look like their homes, and then their classrooms once they joined Compassion International.
Claire was especially interested in the event as she is often intrigued by geography and how people live around the world. Since the event, she has asked to go back on several occasions, which is awesome.
June 4th was George's THIRD birthday.
Celebrating in style!
This year, for Henry and George's joint birthday party, I asked Henry what kind of theme he wanted. He told me he wanting a "viching" birthday party. I couldn't figure out what he was referring to until he described "vichings" as those guys who explore the world and wear the cow hats. So a Viking birthday party it was!
"Cow Hats" for the cousins
Not exactly sure how to decorate for a Viking party, but we'll wing it.
For lunch we had meatballs, bbq chicken wings, varied skewers, raw veggies and "authentic" Viking bread (according to the internet, that is).
Everyone knows just what the boys love!
Grandma Puplis crafted this viking birthday cake for the boys, and it's even egg free for George!
After the guests had gone and the party was getting packed up, I found George indulging on the leftover birthday cake. Glad he enjoyed it!
Father's Day.
Celebrating the gift he is to us every day!
Claire and Henry attended Art Camp again at Orchard Hill Church. Henry's first grade class did a variety of projects, while Claire was able to choose two electives: Perler Beading and interpretive dance.
Claire's performance on the final day of Art Camp.
And the Grand Finale to our full, but very fun, June was
CAMP COUSIN
A game of "Left, Right, Eat"
Andrew indulges in his lucky role.
Sylvia shields herself from George's candy tosses.
A Glow Stick Competition
Where they were ALL winners!
Kate the Great, "Gramma Ha-Lu", and Ranger Jen
All the campers "roughing it" in the tent set up in our living room.
Saturday morning we set off for a geocaching adventure. Geocaching is when someone hides a small something, often a little bag of trinkets, and then posts the GPS coordinates online for others to find. It's like a treasure hunt. Which sounded great to us!
The problem is that what started out as a nice
leisurely walk along the park trail...
...quickly turned into this.
Not sure we were prepared for that. There were missteps and muddy pants, but we all survived.
The other bummer was that we couldn't find the treasure. According to the coordinates, it may have actually been off the trail a bit, which at that point, none of us was willing to do for a trinket.
Thankfully, there was another one listed in the same park.
The prizes were sub-par, but it's all about the thrill of the hunt, I suppose.
After our geocashing...adventure, we were ready for a little more predictable fun.
Swimming at Mr. K's pool!
And of course, with this group, you can't go wrong with crafts!
We made duct tape flower pens, bug shaped crayons,
and the big hit of the weekend, American Girl doll food.
It was great to have Ruby at Camp Cousin this year!
She certainly adds another element of fun and laughter to the group.
Speaking of Ruby...
I'm sorry Ruby. Please forgive me. I just can't not post this
picture that your mom snapped. Still makes me chuckle.
Whew! Well that was our June! A great start to Summer.
