Taste of Summer

School was out spring break style this week.  We intended on our first major vaca as a family until we realized the price tag..... with Ava probably not going to remember much of the venture we decided to hold off and hang out in the backyard.  Though nothing comparable the sandy beach, the weather was amazing.  Flip flops were flippin.. we even got out the sprinkler one day!
The kids even let us  SLEEP IN.  Monday will be a rude awakening for this mama. 

We put in GORGEOUS hickory floors... love

Kale turned his tractor into a garbage truck and spent a good 25 minutes "working".  Notice the broom. It is duct taped to the arm rest of the seat and serves as the "hydraulic arm" used for grabbing and dumping the big green garbage cans. ;)

Kale spends on average 1 hour per day in his sandbox.  Preferably AvaLESS.  His sandbox can become a construction site or farm ground in a matter of seconds and believe me when I say he is busy working (complete with sound effects).  Sad to think that one day he won't be interested in this any more.  I really can not imagine that. Really strange to think that is a Kale that I do not even know yet?  What will he do for fun that doesn't involve trucks, tractors or "workerman' dress up clothes.  So, today we had a sandbox photo shoot.  He agreed to this as long as i didn't "get in the way" or "interrupt him while he is backing up and big truck load.  A construction site is a dangerous area."

We took Kale and Ava to the Shrine Circus this morning.  It was really kind of a disappointment.  LAME!  Was it always this way!?!??  I remember it being so exciting?!?!?   Then, of course, the announcers had to keep showing/insisting that EVERYONE buy a light up, 20 dollar, piece of junk sword.  Luckily, Kale, who has been saving to buy a 46 dollar excavator (it takes a long time to earn that much at 25 cents a job ;)), has realized that money has a value and didn't want to waste it on the junk (after a little explanation and a snow cone to smooth it over). And Ava could have cared less.  But, seriously, why do they have to pull those stunts?  Regardless this kids enjoyed it.  Joe and I made it tolerable with our own commentary throughout the "unbelievable and worlds greatest" stunts the class act "Enrique"  had to impress us with ;)

We have been thinking a lot about Great Grandpa Goeken lately and praying that he will continue to get his strength back after not feeling well and a 2 week long hospital stay.  It's such a weird feeling for me to think that he is not bouncing back from this easily.  He has always been on the go.  I know that this is just driving him crazy not to be able to go about things the way he knows.  There are lawns to be mowed and field work to get ready for!  We love you Grandpa and Get well!

Me (4ish) and Grandpa and Shannon (7ish)