We're Still Here

My hard drive crashed last Thursday so I was w/o my computer over the weekend. I survived, but am thankful to have a full screen to look at rather than my ipod! Anyways, I started back to school and we are all adjusting to the new schedule. I will be back with pictures and what we've been up to this weekend. I have one more day to get my act together for school and then I can breathe. Being at the high school is a bit of an adjustment so the blog is on the back burner, but not forgotten!

Monkey See, Monkey Do

I think we got our moneys worth out of camp - 2 for 1! Emmit really got into the activities and wanted to try everything Gerrit did. At one point I needed to move Emmit out of the way so Gerrit could do the drill.

 

I don't know how Emmit ended up with 2 big footballs. He just have found them on the ground as we were wondering around.

On our way to the sled, Emmit found a helmet and had to try it on. It was very heavy for him and he looked pretty funny trying to keep from falling over while picking up a football. One parent called him a bobble head which wasn't far from the truth!

The sled: Gerrit did not know what to think of this thing. He didn't do it quite right - something to work on tomorrow! Emmit sure thought it was neat even if he was not strong enough to move it.

The last drill was a series of hits against a pad and then get through the dummies to score a touch down. This was a huge hit and once Gerrit tried it, he liked it.

 

Emmit is at Julie's tomorrow and we will head to the farm following camp. Maybe Gerrit can get one on one attention with out Emmit!

Football Camp Day 1

Adam is out of town tonight so I thought I'd throw a few pictures on the blog from football camp today. Gerrit was a bit shy at first, only wanting to play catch but I convinced him to try tackling the the 'dummy' which he soon loved doing! 

Emmit seemed more interested in camp at times than Gerrit. he was throwing to anyone who would 'catch' or at least retrieve and throw back to him. He even pushed the 'dummy' and tried to kick the ball when Gerrit was practicing kicking. I think tomorrow will go better (and the camera will be empty so I can take more pictures too!)

Emmit's Big Day at the Farm

We didn't have daycare Wednesday so Emmit came with us to the farm. Luckily both Luke and Paul were there to help keep an eye on him. The first thing they did was fill up the little red neck swimming pools for Emmit. The hose water was pretty cold so we wanted to give it some time to warm up. Emmit loved the little pools. He even went in the 'big' one with Gerrit (which had warmer water).

I could hardly keep him dry when he was near the 'pools'. Before he had a chance to get his clothes wet and more importantly, his diaper saturated, I stripped him down. This was near the end of our afternoon, so I skipped the swim suit and let him skinny dip.

We did get some work done. Luke kept Emmit happy by giving him rides on the tractor and Gerrit took some time off from playing to help harvest onions. In the mean time, Emmit helped Deb fill the buckets with water - he actually helped keep the hose in the bucket! Paul assisted Emmit in using the squeegie to clean off the tables and then showed him a thing or 2 about fishing. Emmit found the fishing pole that Gerrit played with last week - the one with the Christmas ornament on the end! He fished using the bucket and didn't seem to mind that he didn't catch anything!

Of course there was some time for biking. We took Emmit's trike along so he wouldn't feel left out. Paul helped him on Gerrit's bike so he could 'ride like the big boys' (even with a little help). After lunch the big boys had a bike race. Gerrit won, but he had an advantage - his bike fit! I love watching the 3 of them come up with something they can all do together. Gerrit loves those boys! And the picture with the goggles...no idea where he came up with that!

The boys also took the dogs down to the river to run off some energy. Gerrit went along while Deb and I did some harvesting. I asked Deb how wet she thought Gerrit would be when he came back and here was our answer:

Gerrit came riding back to the farm wearing just his underwear! Paul thought it was best he save his shorts and t-shirt from getting too wet so they took his clothes off. Little did I know that his underwear would be full of sand! Luckily I had an extra outfit along. 

The highlight for Gerrit was waiting to ride Tug Boat again. He was patient all day so just before we left, he took a quick ride and even let Emmit ride with him! Emmit didn't seem to mind; he wasn't sure what to think but he didn't protest either. Emmit seems more of an animal lover than Gerrit so it didn't surprise me to see a smile on Emmit's face. 

We have one more week before I head back to work so one more day at the farm. Sad to think our time is coming to an end because we have so much fun. I love how Gerrit asks me what we are going to pick today and if he can help. Hopefully we can help harvest a little bit on the weekends once school starts.

I told Deb she needs to keep farming long enough for my kids to spend their summers helping her! I think Emmit will come with us next summer.

Play Date in Red Wing

I can hardly believe we have not had many play dates this summer. Its is not like we have been bored and sitting at home either. Anyways, we were lucky enough to find a date that worked to see our good friends Julie and the boys. Red Wing is the perfect meeting spot too; about half way for both of us. And Red Wing has a great park where we had a picnic lunch and played on the playground before heading over to the water park. I think this little water park/pool is a hidden secret. The weather was beautiful and it was not busy! The older boys enjoyed the water slides while the younger ones (Gerrit included) liked the little orange slide and water falls. A break from swimming included fruit snacks and playing in the sand area. We are already planning our play dates for next summer to the park!

County Fair

 Last week was the county fair. We were able to go for a bit to see the animals. Thankfully, Gerrit is not into rides so that is one battle we don't have to fight. I think Emmit enjoyed the animals the most. (This is not surprising, seeing he seems to take to animals more than Gerrit did/does.) We like the county fair because it is close, cheap and small. The kids get to see the animals up close, which is the best part. Some day we will take them to the big state fair, but seeing they don't know any better, our little county fair serves the same purpose.

The boys on their bikes, was after the fair. Emmit has really started to notice things and wants to be part of everything - including wearing a helmet!

A Few Days at the Farm

I have pictures from the past 2 times we were at the farm. I'm combining them into one post and warning: lots of pictures!

We drink a lot of water while working, the fridge is always stocked with bottles of it and Paul has enjoyed 'poppin' the tops off of them. He decided to teach Gerrit the little trick:

Gerrit loves it when Deb's granddaughters are visiting. Here Amaya (age 9) was there and the 2 of them did a lot of swimming. Here they are 'floating' in a smaller tub in the red neck pool.

Gerrit makes a great weight when hauling weeds to the compost pile (see we do work, its not always fun)

The tire swing is a fun little diversion from the hot sun. Paul enjoys pushing Gerrit and seeing how high he can get him to go in the air!

Not sure about the height!

Luke taught Gerrit how to steer the lawnmower. He loves going for rides and does a decent job of steering too.

Even the boring task of mowing can be fun. We found the ear protectors in the barn and Gerrit thought they were cool.

When it gets hot and we need a break, we head down to the 'beach' with the dogs. It was a fun little spot near the back of their property with a shallow creak (although there are some deep spots). The water is really cold and very refreshing. Deb, Amaya and Luke wondered downstream:

Gerrit rode one of the girls' bikes - he didn't care it was pink, it had 2 bells!

Seeing Gerrit got his clothes wet at the beach, he went for one last dip in the red neck pool and wore his dry bathing suit home!

Bella, (age 10) and Gerrit had more success harvesting beans than I did!

Gerrit found one of the girls' fishing pole and was fishing in the red neck pool. Yes, that is a Christmas ornament acting as the bobber. He was fishing for alligators...

This week was cool and we got all of our work done early enough to take a ride on Tug Boat. Gerrit usually does not want to go near the horses (Deb has 3) but I convinced him to go and watch Luke ride Tub Boat. Once we were over there, I sort of forced him to ride with Deb. He said he'd go if the horse did not walk.  Of course Tug Boat went for a little walk! :)

Luke was excited to ride and loves the horses!

Even after riding Tug Boat, Gerrit still did not want to get close to them. He fed them carrots by throwing them at the ground - the carrot is mid air in this picture!

Gerrit seemed to like the little ride with Deb he wanted to go with Luker too.

And he was even brave enough to go by himself!

The happy little rider! He was all smiles and talks about riding him again next week!

A Little Poolside Fun

We spent a hot Sunday afternoon by the pool. What better place than in Lake City with Team Beat! Emmit loved the water but thought he could touch where ever he was in the pool (he could only touch on the steps!). He made me a bit nervous around the pool, but there were plenty of us watching him!

Gerrit was determined to 'surf' on this board. Luckily David was just as determined to help him!

He definitely is comfortable in the water!

Emmit learned that drink boxes are tasty! Before he didn't seem to be bothered by Gerrit drinking one, but not anymore. If Gerrit gets one, Emmit gets one!

When Adam arrived (after riding here) he did his weight work out by throwing Gerrit in the water.

Gerrit still determined to 'surf' and seeing I was still in the pool, I was able to help him master it even if for only a second.

Emmit was practicing his floating and enjoyed every second he was in the water.