Random Summer Fun (well, spring actually.)

So Ben had gone 2 or more weeks without mowing the back lawn (don't judge! our lives are busy!).  While he was mowing, Ethan started following him around like it was a train track.  So I told Ben to mow a track in a part of it for the kids.  They had a blast.  I have never seen Ethan jog so much.  Who knew the trick to exercise was a life sized train track?

our track

running on the track

so speedy

Ben's 5th Birthday

For Ben's 5th Birthday, we decided to take him to Chuck e Cheese.  We met GG, Grandpa, Grandma Hunter, and cousin Elisabeth there.  We played lots and lots of games (no tons!  we bought a bunch of tokens and then they brought us even more because they messed up our order!)

Ben was sooo excited! 

Ride em cowgirl

how many munchkins can you fit inside a monster truck

trying to play basketball

who's this guy?

bop em

They really liked the rides the best

Then ate our pizza and cupcakes and opened presents.  Lots of fun!

Happy Birthday To You

Best Picture Ever!

Swim Lessons

This summer we did 2 sessions of swim lessons.  The first was June 6-17 and the next was July 18-29.
We put the boys in Tiny Tots 1 (the lowest level) because we knew that they were going to have reservations about going into the water.  We weren't wrong.  Getting them into the water the first day was like pulling teeth.  But they finally got in and they enjoyed it.  Brynna decided that she wanted to go swim too, so Ben and I decided that I would suck it up and do Water Babies with her.  The catch, I had to be in the water with her, like, in a bathing suit.  Yeah.  Oh the things we do for those we love!  The boys got used to the water and even had lots of fun.  They passed all the requirements to go onto the next level (not saying much because I think it was just to put their head into the water).  Brynna, if you remembered, almost drowned not too long ago.  So, even though she really wanted to swim like the Bubbas, she quickly changed her mind once we were in the water.  This led to 30 mins, 5 days a week, of trying to keep Brynna calm in the water.  By the end of the session, she would lay on her belly and kick her legs, but she wouldn't go on her back.  And if we tried to get her all the way wet, she would cry the rest of the session.  It was fun, though, to get to spend one on one time with her.

The next session, we put Ben in Guppies (where he would learn to actually swim) and Ethan in Tiny Tots 2 (he was too young for guppies and not ready).  Brynna, again, did water babies (still too young for Tiny Tots).  Ben did really well.  He completed his level.  He learned to do front and back floats, glides from the side of the pool, and a crawl stroke.  

Ethan, who is no lover of the water, failed. :) He was supposed to put his face in the water for 5 seconds, do a front and back float, and practice gliding.  The problem was that he didn't like his head in the water at all.  Now, when I said "fail" I only mean that he didn't complete any of his markers.  But really, he improved greatly.  I gave him a shower and poured water over his head, and he didn't scream.  Totally worth my $25!  

Brynna did much better the second session.  She would blow bubbles and was much more comfortable in the water.  She still refused to be on her back and get all the way wet, but she was much more comfortable all around.  (Sorry no pics, this is when Ben was at his 2 week training)
Can't wait till next year to do more lessons.  The best part about next year... Brynna will be 3 so I won't have to go in with her!!!

Disneyland June 2nd

By Thursday, we were exhausted! We slept in a bit and then packed up our hotel room and made our way over to the park.  We decided that we would split up and I would go with Brynna to meet the Princesses and Ben would take the on the Train loop (my boys love the dinosaurs) and then head over to Tarzan's tree house for awhile.  We all rode the train to the Toon Town station, where Brynna and I got off and the boys continued on.

Yea for trains! 

First, Brynna and I went to watch the Princess Coronation.  This was really fun.  First they taught all the little princesses how to curtsy and then to dance like a princess.  Then they brought out maypoles for the girls to dance around with the princesses.  Aurora came over to Brynna's.  She was very excited.

Watching the show from the bleachers at first.

The Lord and Lady 

Aurora

Snow White

Cinderella is one of Brynna's favorites.  She was excited to see her!

Grabbing her ribbon 

round and round and round

Just about lost in all the bigger kids

After the show, we stood in line to meet the princesses.  Brynna got to meet Ariel (she wanted to know what happened to her tail) Bell, and Jasmine.  She was so shy with the first two (she LOVES Ariel and Bell) but when she got to Jasmine, she turned and said "who's that?" Then she went right up to her and plopped down in her lap.  Guess Brynna is fine with perfect strangers!  It was funny!

The boys got bored waiting for us so they decided to ride the big ship.

Don't ask where they are cuz i never saw them, but this is the boat when they were on.

Then we were off to Tom Sawyer's Island for lunch and play.  The kids had so much fun and all cried when we told them it was time to leave the Island.

Up a tree house

climbing up the exit

they weren't sure about the rope bridge.  they thought it moved too much

Gold!

Next we decided to go on Splash Mountain again.  Little Ben threw another fit and refused to go on, so Ethan rode two more times.  The last time he was really excited because he kept his hands up for a second before he dropped them back down to hold on for dear life.  Hahaha! It was funny.  We decided at this point (Ben was still throwing a fit) that everyone was very tired so we would grab a yummy strawberry funnel cake and head out.
All in all, a great trip! We had lots of fun and can't wait to go back again.  I think I am going to make Ben take me next month without the kids for a late anniversary.