Searching for Ladybugs

Tyler enjoyed searching for ladybugs around the Children's Garden at his Botanical Garden camp.  He is a real naturalist now.

Gracie

We had the exciting opportunity to babysit a bearded dragon, Gracie, a few weeks ago.  She stayed with us for 2 weeks and we all grew very attached to her, especially Sam.  I was hoping that his lizard obsession would have been put to rest after his reptile party last year when he turned 6, but that just encouraged him further.  I told him then, that if he was still into reptiles when he turned 7, we would consider getting him one.  We brought Gracie in to see how Sam did taking care of a lizard, and to be honest, he did better than expected.  He fed her, took her for walks in the neighborhood and cleaned up after her.  I think we are destined to welcome a new member to the Piesman family come September....

Big Kick, Sam!

Here is Sam's backstroke contest.  We have been working all summer on perfecting that kick and by the time the Championships rolled around, it was much, much better!  

Botanical Garden Camp

Tyler loved botanical garden camp.  He learned all about bugs, gardening and conservation.  When I joined him in class, they were learning about ladybugs and got to put real ladybugs on the tomato plants and watch them at work.  He enjoyed eating like a ladybug, with his 'antennae' and not his hands, which was like watching a bunch of kids at a pig trough!  All in all, a great week.

Sam Swims

Here is one of Sam's swim meets.  As you can see, stiff competition, but a great showing from Mr. Sam.

Chewing Gum

I love this video, not for the idyllic scene of three boys reading a Lizard book, but instead, of three boys enjoying chewing gum and the few words that get read in between.  What patient children!

Random Summer Shots

Here are some random summer pictures.  Tyler with his friend, Zachary, and their bear from school, Dubie, who comes over homes for the weekend to celebrate Shabbat with the kids.  Dubie has his own bag filled with Shabbat candles, a kiddush cup, a challah cover and a few Jewish books.  Then we have Tyler looking like a bandit during an outing to the Witte Museum where they had a Western festival.  Then Sam holding a Madagascar hissing cockroach, enough said...Then Sam and I had a date spent enjoying his favorite restaurant, Souper Salad, and then to the library where he needed to find books on reptiles so we used the "card" catalogue.  Ben came to visit which was great!  Then Clara and Tessa and the boys shared some pajama time together after picking blackberries and peaches at a local orchard.  And lastly, Tyler enjoying some necessary 'spa' time after swimming all afternoon in the pool.