Soccer

I guess this year we didn't think we had enough to do, so we decided to throw soccer into the midst of it all! Of course, the girls can't be on the same team (due to the age difference), so we're running around like chickens with our heads cut off trying to keep up with practices and game schedules. The girls have loved it, but I think they like the idea of being on a team, wearing cool shin guards, running around and the possibility of playing goalie more than they like to get in there and kick the ball. I guess whatever keeps them active, right? It's been fun and it's nice to be able to sit outside and have the other kids play on the playground. One more week...we can do it!

It was a good idea...at first...

When we went to Virginia last summer, one of the girls' favorite memories was playing outside in the rain. It just started down pouring and since it was so warm, we just sent them all out in their clothes and they got soaked. They thought that was the coolest thing ever! So, everytime it has rained in Utah since then, they've asked, excuse me, I mean begged, to go play out in the rain. What they haven't understood is that when it's cold outside it wouldn't be nearly as much fun. So, it's August and blistering hot, and it's raining. It's finally time to let them get their swimsuits on and go have a hay day in the rain. They've been begging for it for a year now. They all stampede upstairs, literally screaming with delight. They get their swimsuits on quicker than I've ever seen them do anything and they all run outside. I am not exaggerating in any way shape or form when I say that they are all back in my kitchen, dripping wet, shivering, yelling, "I need my towel!!! I need my towel!!!" in less than 3 minutes. What? Seriously? So, we sent them back outside to wait for their towels. That's when Austin snapped this picture of Spencer. If you can't tell, he's got the pout face down!!

Fun in the Sun

This year we had a "fun in the sun" themed birthday. We had different stations for the kids to enjoy where they could eat, drink, decorate visors and make wave bottles, pin the shades on Sam the Sun, and of course, get wet. It was extremely hot that day, but I think all in all everyone had a good time!

Happy 5th Birthday, Kamae!

Of course, we have to start the day with the Orton Family tradition of breakfast in bed. It's funny because the birthday kid is usually awake before we are done making their breakfast. Then we will start heading upstairs with it and we will hear a scamper of little feet and a jump back into bed. And, low and behold, they are still asleep...with a huge smile across their face!

Get Your Lemonade!! Only 25 Cents!!

This summer, our project was a lemonade stand. We converted a puppet theater that Austin had made for the kids several years ago into our stand. We got an amazing response and lots of very generous customers. In the first two times they did it (a total of about 3 hours), they made about $40! They would have people stop their cars and just throw money out of their windows! One very nice construction worker paid $10 for his little cup of lemonade. How crazy is that!?! Needless to say, it was worth our efforts and the girls even learned a little about how money actually works (except now they think that all you have to do is stand out on the street and people will give you money for nothing...hmmm...I'm not sure that that is the lesson I was trying to teach them.)

Swim Lessons

To me, the essence of summer is swim lessons! The kids had a great time. Their lessons started at 6:30 pm and it was perfect. It wasn't too hot, Austin was there to help and because we were the last lessons of the night, we were able to stay and swim until they closed at 9:00. Paige got brave and started going down the big windy slide (about 3 stories high) all by herself. Kamae and I loved to just float around in the lazy river.