Thursday: code-a-pillar

Today we stayed home.  There were a lot of things to do at home, and so the day didn't drag...but it didn't go by very quickly either.  Around 11 we moved the furniture and I challenged Isaac to use his code-a-pillar to see how many different spots it could get to, if he always started at the same spot.  At the beginning it was pretty random, but by the end he was making slight adjustments to see how it would change.

Every end spot got a sticky.  Isaac also wrote "End" on every single one.  I wasn't really expecting that, but it seemed like a good way to learn something.

Also, why do children keep bringing things into the kitchen and then leaving them there??  It isn't a large kitchen and on days like today it felt like I could barely move without running into something.  I have a "no pillows in the kitchen" rule and a "don't bring a chair in if there is an available step stool" rule, but they weren't enough today.

Wednesday: blueberry picking

Today we went blueberry picking with Aunt C.  It ended up being the first day of picking and the bushes were loaded.  I was hoping to get at least 15 minutes worth of picking in; I remembered that last year it didn't go so well.

We started our activity by checking out the port-a-potty.  Isaac has been in one before, but apparently doesn't remember it.  He's been rather fascinated by them since the road construction workers have one and we pass it a lot.  But hey, they have to learn some how.  This one was nice and clean.

Then we finally made it to the blueberries.  Isaac did a great job.  Joshua started by taking them from my hand and putting them in his bucket, but soon realized he could do it himself.  He did an excellent job of just getting the big blue ones.  (I was rather surprised, actually.  He only grabbed one or two green ones the whole time.)  Then he decided the best blueberries were 10m down the row.  So he'd walk...and walk...and finally find the perfect berry.  He'd get it, then bring it all the way back to CC's bucket.  I tried bringing a bucket closer to him, but he didn't want to put it in that bucket.  We probably picked for a good 30-40 minutes, at which point Joshua got thirsty.  I was hot by that time anyway, so we packed up.

Tuesday: magician

Today's big even was going to see a magician at the library tonight.  He did a great job...there were several things that I could guess how he did them, but they are still so fun to see.  (And there were several that I have no idea on how he did them.)  Isaac loved it.  Joshua enjoyed it too...and he had a bit of extra room so he could roll around a bit when he got bored.

One of the helpers was called Joshua, and every time the magician said, "Joshua" Joshua would point to himself and say Joshua.

Monday: clean under things

Today's activity was to clean under things.  (Not underthings, as Ben first heard it.  I do those bi-weekly.)

We started with the fridge.

Here's what we found.  Apparently we should do this twice a year instead of once a year.

Then we did the oven.  (I had an ant problem from there, as can be seen by the five traps.  The nice thing about under the oven is that it is safe, so I threw a bunch down there.

Lastly we did the master bedroom.  We moved/elevated all the furniture so the rumba could get to it and let it run.

In other stories, Isaac decided to try frozen and cooked green beans today.  (Instead of just frozen peas.)  I heard this story three times, so thought you would enjoy it too.


Ben was doing his exercises tonight and throwing a ball over the couch for Joshua to retrieve.  Ben thought it would be funny to hide, so while Joshua was behind the couch he went on the couch.  Joshua came around, finally found Ben, and reprimanded: "Exercise!"

Weekend: cottage

This past weekend we went up to Dad and Pat's cottage and had a wonderful (and relaxing) time.  Well, at least Ben and I relaxed.  I think the kids played hard.

We caught (and released) chipmunks.

Joshua got cookies from Grandpa while holding EE

Isaac got wheelbarrow rides from Grandpa.

Both boys enjoyed walking on the boat.

Isaac found the special rocks and cleaned them up

while Joshua threw the newly laid sand in the water.

Isaac helped Joshua clean off his hands...several times

...and then went on a paddleboat ride.

The swing was a big hit for both of them.  Joshua just liked to swing and Isaac liked to swing and twist.

More snacks!

A ride around the lake.

A boat ride.

Isaac even got to steer.

We went through some pretty lily pads.

And swung some more!

When we got home, and Isaac had cleaned his room, I found them like this watching TV.

Thursday: copying

Joshua copies Isaac all the time.  Things he says, things he likes, etc.  Some are unexpected but I guess not odd, such as robots, since we have them in the house.  Some things are more unexpected, such as liking the same green monkey that Isaac loved for a while (and calling it EE too, although maybe someone mentioned that was the name.)  The other unexpected thing is getting squirt with pretend water squirters all the time.  Anything can be a water squirter.

However, Isaac copies Joshua too.  He sees something that Joshua is doing and wants to do it.  Sometimes Joshua makes a funny noise and then Isaac copies it.  Today it was putting the suction cups on the the table.

This is Joshua's creation.

And this is Isaac's.

Wednesday: pool

This morning, after some bear hunts, we went to the pool with Betsy and her kids.  (Joshua kept calling Leah 'Ethan', so apparently I need to start saying Ethan and Leah more often.)  We had a lovely time.  Joshua enjoyed the pool, something I wasn't sure was going to happen, and we stayed for quite a while.

This evening Ben was on the couch with Isaac and Joshua was in his chair nearby when Isaac leaned over and said, "Would you like a ride?"  No response.  So Isaac nicely asked again, "Would you like a ride?  Yes or No?"  (That sounds like something I say...)  Joshua said yes, and Isaac proceeded to push him around the area twice.