*Sigh* It must be summer

I was checking our calendar, and judging from the looks of the next few weeks...

It must be summer!  It seems like we have been go-go-go the last few months.  Preschool, swimming lessons, speech, preschool, coffee dates, tax season...  there weren't enough hours in a day!  The things on our calendar are all fun - birthday parties, BBQ's, fireworks, and play dates.  Yahoo! 

I think that the boys are definitely getting used to the new pace too.  Gone are the morning questions of "What are we doing today" because they knew the answer must be something.  We are now home more likely than not, but don't expect us to answer the phone if it's 60 degrees or higher - we're outside!  The backyard has never been more loaded with toys, pool things, sports things, ball things, and bike things.  As a friend recently told me - "My kid doesn't need Disneland - they thing Silvesland is fabulous!"

Hope you are all enjoying your summer!

A mysterious disease is burning my trees

 I have been trying to figure out what on this earth is killing this tree right outside our front door.  About 18 inches above the porch, there is a line of burnt foliage on this otherwise evergreen tree.  What on earth?

And then that same line started appearing on trees in the backyard.  I have been wracking my brain trying to figure out what could have caused it, and how to fix it, and...  hmm...

And I just looked up and saw three smiling boys, and I am hearing my own words echoing, "Just pick a tree."  Well, I guess the upside is - they were listening!

My rear is not in gear....

Okay, probably not the most appropriate title for a blog post, but it's the truth!  I've spent virtually the entire day on the couch snuggling with one boy or another.  I've watched WAY too many episodes of Babar, and the movie Gnomeo & Juliet an obscene number of times. I've listened to a two hour podcast on couponing, I've scrapbooked, read coupon blogs, and snuggled and played with the boys some more.  And I'm exhausted!  Woo-hoo - here's to LOVING vacation!  :-)

Silves Family Daycation!

Thursday was day FOUR of our big vacation week, and we finally left the house for some F-U-N!  Up and at 'em early, we did a drop off/pick up at Walmart (Wyatt desperately needed play clothes!) and I grabbed sausage mcmuffins for the boys - their favorite breakfast treat.  Then, it was off to the Woods for coffee, and to eat our breakfast.  The boys love the coffee shop, and Tyler and I love the coffee part!  One thing this day forced us to recognize... Wyatt is a big boy!  At one month shy of two years old, he is not quite a baby anymore.  He loves nothing more to be right in the thick of things with the other boys.  When we are driving, I frequently see them all in the back seat, hands in the air, saying "Me! Me! Me!"

After breakfast, we cruised on out to Lake Padden.  I have never been there before, but heard good things.  We spent a couple of hours playing on the playground, and chasing the ducks.  The babies were so cute!  We made small talk with other moms - all talking about the best way to get organic produce and drug free chicken and beef.  I was SO on the south side of Bellingham!  :-)

All the boys got to play - Tyler was entertaining to watch on the monkey bars. 

When I was whispering, "Go, go fast!  Go go!" The boys thought I was talking to them, but the ducks knew that I was really talking to them!"

"Duck!"

After we were all played out on the playground, we grabbed the boat and put in at the boat ramp.  When we pushed off, we were 30 feet from the shore - and then we saw this truck backing up.  Hmm..  What could be in a truck, with a tank, about to be dumped into a lake?  I'll tell you.... FIFTEEN HUNDRED fish!  1,500 FISH!  Sounds like we better whip out our poles!

Wyatt and I were on our maiden voyage on the family boat - on the perfect day!  Even I was surprised that we could all go out on the boat for two hours - and not one of us went overboard.

Wyatt was the only one not to catch a fish - he was far too busy eating snacks!

But Wayne had time!  He reeled in a couple, all on his own!

Hmm... Do you see PRIDE all over that Daddy's face?

Weston was PUMPED that we caught fish!  He reeled on in himself too, and a couple that we saw but that fell off the hook right at the end (Weston is still learning how to smoothly reel in the line!)

Wow - it was a BEAUTIFUL day to be alive in the Pacific Northwest! 

EEEK!  I actually got a picture of the fish being hauled in.  I think I was holding the camera with one hand and trying to stop Wyatt from falling in with the other.

After a couple hours on the lake, we headed out to Fairhaven Park.  There was a really cool play structure to play on....

But instead all of the kids were playing in this ridiculously overgrown rhody.

And all of the Silves boys were in the middle of the mayhem!

Wyatt played frisbee.

Eventually it was time to pack up and head back home, but the Family Fun Day did not end there...  We hung out in the back yard - and Wayne QUICKLY started a water fight.  If you are over visiting... watch out!  The water guns are never too far away.

 

It was a delightful way to spend a day - just enjoying our young family of five, laughing and going "away" for our first daycation of the year.  Stay tuned for more fun!

Class Reunion

With preschool ending last week, Wayne was a little sad.  We'd catch up sitting quietly in a corner, and when we asked him what was wrong, he'd say, "I'm just thinkin' 'bout my friends that I miss from school.  What do you think they are doin' today?"  I didn't dare tell him we were meeting some of them at the park - until we were actually on the way to park, and I didn't tell him that his good friend Kasey was going to be there - until I actually SAW Kasey in the parking lot when we pulled up.  The two boys hugged and jumped up and downs screaming, "My buddy, my buddy!"  Kasey is a cool kid, with fantastic parents and him and Wayne hit it off this past school year.  With three other classmates (although they were girls) the class reunion was a success!  We played and played, snacked and played, ate lunch and played, and then played one more time before we had to go.  I think 2 hours at a park set a record for us!  It was a gorgeous day - dare I even say HOT!  It was really nice to be able to chat with the other moms too.  So often throughout the school year we would make small talk in 1 and 2 minute conversations, so it was lovely to be chat and learn more about them.  Our conversation ranged from parenting styles, discipline, the school district, kindergarten, coupons, jobs and summer plans.  Whew!  Our time flew by, and I can't wait to get together again!

Graham cracker+Chocolate+Marshmallow=SUMMER

As if we hadn't been having enough fun already, what with the parade and the pool - we also got an invite for a campfire at Church Camp - I decided that's what I'm calling my sister's place!  We were ELATED and the boys could hardly wait to head out.  It was one of those days where you've spent the whole day outside, and your skin is feeling warm, and maybe even a little crisp.  Out of habit, I grabbed sweatshirts for everyone, but then didn't even need them it was still so warm.  We walked out to the campgrounds, enjoying the freshly cut grass, and the SUNSHINE.

 It's so weird having all the boys older.  I know they will be even "older" next year and the year after that, but compared to how much "younger" they have been, I love this age!  They all walk with an adequate level of coordination.  They help each other.  When I say "stop" or "you're getting too far ahead!" they actually stop.  Like I said, Weird.

 Yup, there is proof in this post that I actually SIT.  Sometimes.  It does take a campfire, a chair, and some of my favorite peeps to accomplish it though.  And a cute boy to snuggle with never hurts!

 Miss Madelyn is pretty insistent about being the only one to use her swing, but she was gracious in allowing the boys and Grandma to push her as much as they wanted.  Weston loved it!  It was intriguing to watch him figure out the timing of when to push her, and when to get out of the way.  Grandma and I got nervous about that dead tree/branch behind him, and went over and PULLED it out of the ground, that's how soggy it's roots were!  No wonder the thing died. 

 Tara is a full 8 months pregnant, and starting to move a little more slowly and a little more awkwardly.  Madelyn is about 6 months along. :-)  I think I need to have this shot framed for her!

 Totally blurry, I know, but this next pictures captures two things....  That Madelyn DID share her swing, and that Weston LOVED it.  "UP!!!!"

 Mmmm..  Nothing like smores to end a hot day.  Wayne was the life of the party, exploring and eating, and exploring some more.  He's really practicing his smores skills, wanting to get the perfect level of brown.

I have one more picture to post... but have been warned not to.  Let's just say that one Grandma who you may or may not know, thought she was pushing so many kids on the swing that she looked like a Carnie!  After getting her a quick prop - she TOTALLY did!  :-)  Hey - you can't blog everything (I guess!)

Cool in the Pool

With the pool set up there was nothing that was going to stop these two from getting in.  I tried to warn them that it was cold, but they insisted, and who am to get in the way of life's lessons?  They were so stinkin' cute!

And neither one of them ever uses goggles, even to dive down.  It's purely a "I think I'll look cool" effort, and as soon as they get in, they toss them aside.  You look cool boys!

Bony rib cages aside...  Don't they look a little chilly?  They were trying to catch their breath!

Today might be the day we decide that Weston is smarter than his brother.  Or maybe Wayne is just more adventurous!  Weston got OUT, and Wayne got UP.  From inside his bubble ball, he could at least only keep his toes in the frigid water. 

Still lookin' cool dude!

Okay, now you are just lookin' plain COLD!!!  I can almost see your teeth chattering (which they were - you could hardly talk!)

And the Best Dad/least smart Silves boy award goes to.....  Daddy!  He couldn't pass up the chance to play with you boys, and you were so excited that he came out to freeze with you.  He spun you round and round and round in the bubble ball, until I had to quit taking pictures because I was dizzy - can't imagine how you boys felt!

Well, maybe I can imagine.... COLD!

Okay, now the littlest is officially the smartest today....  Chillin' in his shorts and crocks!