Just Splashing Around!

Another fun thing we have been doing lately is playing in the water!  It's been super hot around here, high 90's and 100 a few days.  So if we aren't cooling down in the mountains, we are heading somewhere to get wet!  Thankfully, Fort Collins has some great water activities, and Windsor has a free swim beach at the lake.  So we've headed out, again with Trista and Kinsey to stay cool. 

Our trip to the Splash park was a lot of fun, Greg, Jaxon and Liam got to come too!!  Everyone got wet, and all the boys had just as much fun playing in the sand as playing in the water.  (which made it interesting when it was time to come home! 

Kinsey LOVES the water

Last week we went to the Swim Beach at Windsor Lake.  It was our first time for the summer, that's how busy we've been - we haven't even made it to the free beach to swim!  It was the first time for Trista and Kinsey too, but they are from Florida, so our beach isn't to impressive for them!  ;)  Riley did an amazing job swimming, Jayce was even braver than expected (until his feet came out from under him!  He floated onto his back - thanks to the life vest I make him wear, but it still scared him because he didn't know how to stand up again.  We'll have to work on that one!)  Amara enjoyed the sand, squishing it in her fingers, and trying to eat it.  Kinsey had more fun than all of them I think!  She loves the sand, and the water!!  She would sit there and splash all day if we had let her!  Everyone had fun, and was pooped out afterwards!  It's sad that summer will soon be over. 

Trista and Kinsey checking out the "waves"

Kinsey Loved splashing it up!

Jayce being timid

In at knee level

Jr. Engineer digging a chanel

Amara's not too sure about the water

The sand she likes!

Waves are a no-go!

She is actually trying to wipe the sand off her hands here!!  Silly girl!

Going deeper!!

He yells at me, Mommy, I'm Floating!

Jayce says, I'm done, after "falling" in. 

Kinsey and her "scoot trail" in the sand! 

Painting and Zoo

My good friend Jan has been so wonderful for my kids, and me!  She plays substitute Grandma to them since their real grandma's are so far away!  And the past couple weeks we've had a lot of fun with her. 

First we did a Painting class at Picasso and Wine, my favorite place to go!  I did one earlier this year with Jayce, and wanted to do one with Riley too.  During the summer months they hold "painting camps" featuring a different artist and a little art history each week.  One week they featured Pollock, the artist who throws paint.  I thought how fun!!!  So I invite Jan to be my helper so that both boys could do it.  My friend Trista also brought her little girl Kinsey.  Everyone loved it!

They painted a background first, then we went outside to throw the paint.  I'll let the photos tell the story. :)

Our instructor demonstrating how to throw paint

Riley got really into it!

Jan Helping Jayce throw

This painting is messy stuff!

Kinsey had a blast too!

Messy girl!

Jan also took us to the zoo last week.  That was a huge help, and so much fun!  I couldn't have done it without her.  She helped tremendously, and the boys enjoyed having her with us!  Here's our day at the zoo:

Watching the Tigers

It was a hot day, so the misters in the Lorikeet Adventure were favorites!

Jan feeding the Lorikeets

Even Jayce got to try!

Thanks Jan, for helping us complete some of our Summer Bucket List!!  We had so much fun with you!!