Summer Bliss

We are loving the summer of 2014. Campfires (and s'mores), playground time, friends, food, soccer, frisbee, swimming, birds, bug spray, running and bbq-ing.

Of all of the parts of summer camp, Colin comes home with more science experiment ideas than anything...and well, Justin, is always game for some at-home science fun. (yes, Justin loves to wear my sunglasses.)

 Colin loves mall Chinese food. And Justin just loves the mall - specifically the candy and cookie store.

Justin misses his old friends so much - so we planned a playdate with some of them...

And he went to a birthday party for another preschool friend - he was SO happy to see familiar faces.

Bike ride to Starbucks - the store that sells juice, chocolate milk and cookies. We have never bought coffee there. haha. Although, I'm a total fan of Oprah's iced chai tea latte.

 Background playground set.

 "If you throw the frisbee through the swing chains, it's 5 points." - Colin.

Our good friends are moving to NYC, so we enjoyed one last dinner with them. They were one of our first family friends in Ohio, and we are going to miss them! Hopefully their NYC stint will only be 2 years and they'll head back to Cleveland again. =)

 Don't you love how Andy moved his chair all the way back from the campfire?!

Colin does a great job with little kids...

 and Justin does a great job with big kids...using sticks to battle.

 Doesn't Colin look huge here? He set up a game where he would throw frisbees, and the 3 other kids "fetched" them. Solid 45 minutes of this.

 Campfire season. =)

 We missed 2 days of summer camp notes because Colin used them as origami. Crazy kid.

 The kids wanted a snow cone maker this summer, so Jack told them that they had to sell their toys. Luckily our friend was having a yard sale, so we tagged along. Boys sold $120 worth of toys! And our friend was selling a $5 snow cone maker. Win-Win! Colin spent his half of the money on legos (surprise, surprise), and Justin forgot his wallet so he couldn't buy anything, but didn't seem to care (surprise, surprise).

 Colin said he saw this in a magazine and wanted to recreate it. Can you tell what it is? Swim lanes with swimmers doing backstroke. =)

 Now that we are a beach family again, we headed to the beach this past weekend!

 Justin and Jack played football...

 Colin started building right away!

We are having so much fun with the start of summer - and are truly enjoying everyday of this sun and warmth!

Fun stuff:

• Justin paid Colin $1 to make his bed. And then directed him on how to make the bed exactly the way he wanted.
• Colin was ALL over that yard sale and was our family accountant. He kept track of the money and he could tell you how much we had at any moment in time. 
• I told Justin that some books are made into movies. And he responded, "because they don't want their arms to get tired from turning the pages?' haha.
• Colin absolutely loves music and songs. He taught himself "Let it Go" from Frozen (even though he has no desire to see the movie), and loves to learn words to new songs.
• Colin swims up to 3 times a day at summer camp and has turned into a fish.
• Justin is still adjusting to summer camp people and places. He's a brave little boy and we're so proud of him.
• My new job transition has been smooth and I'm enjoying the people and new responsibilities.
• Jack is busy in rental repair season. =) 

Saying Good-bye + Kelley's Island + Dad's Day

3 of the 4 Elwells had big transitions this week.

1. Justin finished preschool! We are so proud of this little guy and we are truly going to miss the teachers at his preschool. Justin will go to a different summer camp and will start pre-kindergarten in the fall! Way to go, Justin!

2. Colin finished up kindergarten. He started the year not knowing a soul. A new city with no friends. But he's excelled all year and we couldn't be prouder of Colin. He's a first grader now!


3. After 9+ years at CWRU, my last day was this past week. I've accepted a new role and as excited as I am, I'm also going to miss this fabulous group of people. I have been so lucky to work with such smart, talented, funny people!

To celebrate, we decided to head out the Kelley's Island to hang out for the day!

Here we are on the ferry - and that's our car down below! Yes, we even took our car!

 After a fun 30 minute ferry ride, we met Nick & Tami on the Island. Golf cart time!

Jack did some research and found some hiking areas. Nick and Tami were such good sports - venturing out on their first hike on the Island! The boys had their binoculars for bird sightings. I think Tami has some hope in the world of camping and hiking!

Nick & Tami headed back to "the mainland," and we headed to the beach on Kelley's Island. When the boys were younger, our beach trips were so awful that I refused to go to the beach for 2 full years. Let's just say diapers + sand + whining = NO FUN.

Well, I'm happy to report we are finally a beach family again!!! The boys played in the sand and water for 4 hours straight!! WE HAD A BLAST.

 Colin was busy digging holes and sand castles...

 while Justin was perfectly happy finding sea shells and rocks in the water.

 We played miniature golf, ate donuts, drank soda, visited the winery and ate lunch and dinner in the little town. A perfect day for us.

For Father's Day, I didn't take out the camera ONCE! Jack was so happy. =) We had a family swimming pool day and the boys tried so many things for the first time. Colin went down the huge 3- story water slide and Justin went down the medium one! Perfect weather. We spent the rest of the afternoon at Leela's birthday party and just had the best time. Happy Father's Day to Jack - the boys are so lucky to have you. 

And a huge Happy Father's Day to my dad! We can't wait to see you later this summer!

Best Spring Yet!

After a rather snowy and cold winter, we think that this is the best Spring we've ever had!! We're swimming and playing, seeing friends and family and loving life. In no particular order, here are some of our adventures from the past month...

Can I just say that I absolutely LOVE the fact that Colin is reading and writing now. I found this surprise note on my weekend errands/shopping list. Love.

 The boys have been into nail polish lately. Pure kid happiness. This past weekend, Jack was an amazing father and even did their fingernails! We prepped the boys for potential teasing at school - Justin said none of his friends teased him. Colin told us that it makes him feel good when he tells kids that he doesn't care that they are teasing him.

 Oh, that time when the boys tried to earn money by making a snack stand with food from our kitchen. Then asked me to buy something. To Colin's credit, he had some homemade slinkies for sale. I bought mango slices and a slinky. =)

 Memorial day with our dear friends, Myah, Jaime and baby Fiona. She's absolutely precious and the boys turned Fiona into a niners fan. =) Myah and I knew each other from my Portland days, and it's been so wonderful to reconnect and get the families together!

 They live right on the lake and we had perfect weather!

 Uncle Jaime showed the boys the scar that he got from wrestling the lake monster in Lake Erie. Colin was doubtful and kept asking for more evidence. Justin thought it was cool. That night, they both woke up screaming and Auntie Myah had to tell the boys that the lake monster was a joke. Ack!

 I found this picture on my phone. I think it's such a great display of how different the boys can be. There was an indoor slide and Colin kicked off his shoes and ran up the slide. Justin carefully took off his shoes and placed them side by side before running off. Justin loves to fold towels and close drawers as well. 

 Justin did not like dinner on this night. No tantrum though - just a really big breakfast the next morning.

We also received a free playground set from our neighbors. Jack leveled the ground and rebuilt the whole thing. Now, there's really no reason to leave our house.

 Oh, that time I came home from the gym and the boys (including Jack) decided to let the turtles out for a walk...around the house.

 Justin made me a hula skirt (his own design), and insisted that I wear it to work. I came out and he said, "you look so fashionable, mommy!" Even funnier, my mom told me that the skirt made me look skinny. hahahahahahha.

 Colin has always loved making paper airplanes.... and this is his biggest one yet! No pictures, but he's also loving origami and has mastered making a crane. My dad will be so proud.

 I had to work one weekend, so Jack took the boys out to Grandma's house to see out-of-town cousins. I'd say that they had a good time! Life is so good with this many cousins!

 Memorial Day BBQ campfire with friends. =)

So the boys love taking pictures of each other - well, I found this picture on the camera and have no idea what it is from and what is in Justin's cheeks. It just made me smile.

And tonight, Justin asked if they could have 6 minutes to read in bed. So I closed the door and heard very loud talking from the kitchen. I walked by the room and found this. (the video is dark at first). Pretty much, Justin is reading to Colin. Love.


 Other Family Updates:

• Without fail, I become an NBA Finals junkie every year. I don't watch a single game all season and as soon as the Finals start, I can't miss a minute.
• The boys and I have gone swimming every weekend for the past 3 weeks! No pictures because that just wouldn't be safe. Jack promises that he'll join us this year. =)
• Colin loves origami, gin rummy and crafts. He ranked his sports as 1. soccer, 2. swimming and 3. basketball. 
• Justin told me that "some kids like to buy toys. but I like to buy donuts." He prefers to play with people.  Sometimes I feel like we are raising a future CEO. He's particular, focused and provides lots of feedback on what he likes and doesn't like. =)
• Invisible buckets: Justin told Colin that "everyone has an invisible bucket that follows them everywhere. Even the bathroom! and you can fill other people's buckets by being nice and kind." Well, one night Colin said something mean and Justin walked right up to him and said, "That did NOT fill my bucket!" (We LOVE justin's school for all that they teach the kids.)
• I was teaching the boys about nutrition and how our bodies need calories, fiber, protein and vitamins. After school, Justin was eating a leftover bag of goldfish and I told him that he may not have room in his belly for dinner. He looked at me and said, "Oh, these don't have any protein or fiber. They'll go through my body quickly."
• In the last year, Colin grew 3 inches and Justin grew 2 inches. I wish I could tell you how much their feet have grown too! They are getting BIG.
• Jack & Jamie are working. And after a bit of a health scare for me, we are both thankful for our health and trying to stay healthy. Loving life. Thankful. Peaceful.