Strawberry Pickin

We’ve had so much fun going to Eckert’s this past year! Late spring we took the girls to pick strawberries. It was very warm that day, but we still had lots of fun. The girls dove right into picking berries: white ones, green ones, rotten ones, and occasionally a ripe red one. They sort of lost interest when they realized we didn’t want any of white, green, or rotten ones. We were there towards the end of the season so you actually had to look for the red ripe ones. That wasn’t a problem though because they then turned their attention to eating the strawberries. Allyson would at least pick the ones she was eating, but Anya was so lazy she just ate right out of the basket.

After we got our fill of picking, we headed back to cool off and get some free ice cream courtesy of Eckert’s. They had lots of carnival type rides out for the kids to do, but since we had Daddy along we just stuck to the free stuff. I had gotten free pony ride coupons for “liking” Eckert’s on facebook so we headed to that area. Anya hoped right on, but Ally refused. After a couple of tries with Ally, Anya ended up with two

pony rides. We quickly checked out the other animals and then headed home back to the air conditioning. It was a fun day, and I think we’ll be back to pick peaches soon.

The Ditch

We are renting our house here in IL and have been really pleased with it overall, but there is one big problem in the backyard. We have a sort of ditch that runs along the back fence. The ditch keeps getting deeper every time it rains when the water runs through carving it out. The ditch itself really doesn't bother me that much; it's the water that remains standing in it for weeks that does. Poor Josh really struggles with it when trying to mow, and practically has to weed eat the whole back section. The problem of the ditch continues down the whole line of houses on the street. It's quite the sight when it rains and the water floods down the line like a river. I've heard a couple of explanations from the neighbors about why we have this problem. One person said the drainage pipes underground have come apart causing the problem, and another person said it's because our houses were built on an old mining ground and the area is settling. I have no idea, but it starts with us and seems to be the worst here, the first house on the block is unaffected. Take a look at the last hard rain...

Our Backyard

View of the Neighbors

It gets wider through their yards, but doesn't seem to remain standing for long.

Meet Clyde & Dale

One of the things the girls really enjoy is stopping to visit the Clydesdale family that lives close by our house. The horses live in a barn off the main road that we take to get to our house, so we drive by them nearly every day. It has been sort of a thrill for the girls to spot the horses each time and see if they are out & what they are up to. Last summer it was just Clyde & Dale as we called them, but this spring much to our excitement Clyde & Dalene had a baby! The baby is so cute, a little boy. Pablo the Donkey moved in this spring too, he’s a wannabe Clydesdale according to the owners. When we visit the horses, Anya likes to climb right up on the fence to pet them; Ally prefers to stand back, usually trying to crawl up my leg if they come close.

Water Fun

Bubby Bath

Ally loves her bubby baths!

The Y

We’ve been busy with the Y this spring/summer. We finished up Ballet class, Anya’s 2nd session & Ally’s 1st. They both make cute little ballerinas. Anya had a love/hate relationship this time with the class. She never wanted to go (just lazy/tired I think), but then always did well once we were there. It was a drag getting her there though . Ally was just the opposite, always excited to go, and then 10 minutes into the class she wanted to go home. I think for her is was just more of attention span thing, because this time the class was huge which made for a lot of waiting. Anya is ready for a more advanced class now, but I think we’ll wait until fall to discuss if she wants to continue.

In April we started swimming lessons. I enrolled both girls in pre-pike, the very beginner level, since we had never done any sort of formal lessons before. Anya was thrilled to be going to the pool every week! Allyson just went along. Although now that’s it’s all over Ally talks about swimming lessons all the time, so I think she was really having fun. During the lessons they wore floatation belts which I was glad for, especially for Allyson. She really has just started to be able to coordinate her movements while wearing a life jacket. Anya did quite well and is starting to swim on her own now without any sort of floaty help. She is still very apprehensive about going out on her own, which is probably my doing because I’ve always insisted that she wear a life jacket & preached to her about water safety. I’m pushing her & myself now to let go and see what she can do. They both passed, Ally to Pike & Anya jumped up to Eel, so I’m going to enroll them again in July at the outdoor pool.

Both girls are currently playing T-Ball through the Y. Allyson just turned 3 in March you know, so I’m not quite sure what I was thinking when I signed her up for an organized sport! I think it’s just that I don’t want her to be left out being the 2nd child and all that sometimes I overcompensate. This is Anya’s first time playing T-Ball too and she’s 5. Anya's been kind of hot or cold with the whole thing. Some days she’s excited to go to T-Ball, others she complains that I signed her up. I feel like I can’t win with her. Ally was really excited to start T-Ball, but once again she doesn’t really have the stamina to finish it through. I have to stay with her a lot of the time to make sure she’s doing what she’s supposed to be doing. They've had their first few games now and it's so cute watching all those little ones so proud to hit and ball & then just standing there forgetting to run. It's been crazy, but fun!