would you rather august

Smiles for Miles is written on one of this guy's favorite t-shirts, and it rings true nearly all the time with this guy... 

Would you rather grow Yoda ears or only be able to talk like Yoda?

Only be able to talk like Yoda is actually way better because people would still be able to understand you if you talk like him.

Would you rather have a camera in your eyeball or a pair of scissors for a tongue?

Camera in your eyeball because all we'd have to do for pictures of Aiden all you'd have to do is just have me look at Aiden and say, hey guy say cheese!

Would you rather eat only uncooked eggs or only raw cocoa bean?
Raw cocoa bean because it could taste like chocolate.

Would you rather only shower under a waterfall or with a garden hose?

Actually it would be better if it was a water hose because a waterfall would be too strong!

Would you rather have spikes on your skin or breath fire every time you open your mouth - like a dragon?
Actually dragons don't breathe the fire everytime because they can control when the fire comes out, so that is what I'd like.

Would you rather always wear ice skates everywhere you go or have piano keys attached to your fingers?

Piano keys attached to my fingers because I'd have random cool fingers that could play and be really fun!

book club

We were the hosts for book club and Aiden chose a Sir Cumference book. We played a name game and everyone talked about their favorite characters and how they related to math concepts.  We then made crowns and everyone played ;)

summer cabaret

The summer cabaret was dubbed "singing our favorites" and there were plenty of duets for everyone. Aiden sang with the newest studio member, Oh What a Beautiful Morning and with a seasoned character, Anything You Can Do. The whole group joined in with a song at the beginning and the end, Everything's Coming Up Roses and There's No Business Like Show Business respectively.  

I helped out by making those flower bouquets from flowers in Anne's garden.

Summer Sing Our Favorites from LB on Vimeo.

tidbits

Raft night is so much fun!

Friends visiting from far away for some dress up time... someday they will grow out of this but for now we will enjoy it ;)

PR quik videos

This new little GoPro Session I picked up from the Amazon Prime Day is so easy... but the best part are the apps on the phone, including this Quik video maker where you just pick the videos and it mashes clips together for you:

PR Beach from LB on Vimeo.

PR Pool from LB on Vimeo.

san juan videos

Old San Juan from LB on Vimeo.

Forts of Old San Juan from LB on Vimeo.

PR forest videos

El Yunque Rainforest from LB on Vimeo.

La Marquesa Forest Park from LB on Vimeo.

happy bday daddy

J is tricky when it comes to finding good presents and ways to celebrate his birthday...  But we spent a day traveling to two different guitar shops where he played a lute for the the first time and collected some new music books.  My sister nailed it with a very special delivery of J's all time favorite triple uber super chocolate cake from Costco!  Cake for birthday breakfast!

marquesas

Marquesas Forest Park is a place that locals visit.  More great views from the gondola rides and the tower at the top.  

parrots

The butterfly garden and aviary were real treats. The parrots were huge and let us walk right near them...  That blue lizard spotted lizard guy was spotted when we were just walking home from dinner one night.

waterfall

The rainforest waterfalls are beautiful!

ceiba leaf

We were all charmed by the funny hat our tour guide made out of a giant ceiba leaf.  I think it was the boy's favorite memory from the rainforest.

el yunque

We took the 100 some steps up the Yokahu Tower to see the full view of the top of the rainforest canopy.  The Sahara dust was really showing off...  That purple flower was an example our guide showed were he created those blue dots with heat.  There was also a plant were the leaves folded up when you tapped them. The boys thought it was magic!

el morro

After lunch we headed to the fort on the other end of the city wall, El Morro.  The lighthouse at this fort was really awesome.  We went down every level all the way to sea level.  The boys really enjoyed using their schnazzy and actually very good binoculars to peek at everything - thanks G&P!

cristobal 1

The old forts in San Juan were so fun to explore. We started with a trek through the breezy underground tunnels or what the boys called the dungeon.  The matchy shirt guy (thanks to Gran!) were peeking and climbing all morning long at St. Cristobal.

cristobal 2

The views from the fort! The most iconic part (even on the PR license plates!) of these forts are the sentry boxes or “garitas” that give you a great view from the corners.

cristobal 3

You can tell I liked these forts based on how many photo/videos I took - and these are all from just the first fort!

Check out that classic PopPop photobomb up there on the far right ;)

old town

We walked through Old San Juan and I was really charmed by the very brightly colored, nearly freshly painted buildings.  The hotel had recommended a local, off the tourist path place called El Jibarito.  Turns out an old school rapper who now has a food show, N.O.R.E. was there filming his show On the Run Eating. He and his entourage had some serious lighting and crew.  The waitress initially fibbed to us and told us it was something for trip advisor?!  Nope, we're eating a really good lunch with rappers.

puerto rico

We hatched a plan to meet my parents in Puerto Rico this summer and I'm so glad everything worked out to make it happen.  The boys are pool rats to the max, and we landed and went straight to the pool, then the beach, then back to the pool... My folks rolled in right around dinner and we enjoyed it right on the beach at the Intercontinental.  It was a very kid friendly place and Aiden claims the best pizza he's ever had...  

beachy swim

The water was so nice and the waves spoiled us.  Then check out those waterfalls and jumping rocks at the pool.

waves

I got a new tiny waterproof GoPro Session with a handle that floats.  Best part is how it downloads directly to my phone and has a great feature where you can save any frame into a high resolution photo.  

swim

So, so much of this!
Swim Swim Swim from LB on Vimeo.

tidbits

Starting the day with an early round of putt putt before the heat sets in for the day ;)

Finished summer reading and have our coupon books ready for some fun!

My friend started a kid's book club which is such a great idea!  The kids all read the same non fiction book - Who Would Win: Lions versus Tigers.  They picked from nonfiction info cards and shared info about the book.  Then it was craft time for make tiger bookmarks and eat lion snacks ;)  Aiden's name was picked out of a hat to be the next book club host and he picked a Sir Cumference Knight book for later this month.

fürst try

Rocking out at the pool club! A few fun neighbors joined the band for some favorites:

Fürst Try neighbor mix from LB on Vimeo.

Fürst Try plays the pool club from LB on Vimeo.

tidbits

A few random play date shots with these minecraft lego and pokemon players.

This funny shot from Quaker Steak and Lube makes me laugh!

Raft night at the pool getting geared up the other night - I'd say it filled up about double that crowd after a while - thumbs up! 

holden

The Holden Arboretum is such a treat!  We went to the top of the tower (many steps, and so worth it!) and walked out over the suspended canopy bridges (they sway and shake just enough).   

rock n water

We visited Lake Erie a bunch this visit!  Keaton ate his weight in watermelon too ;)

oh tidbits

My mom found this cookie costume just in time for this little cookie to pose like he was ready for high school portraits - check out that elbow on his knee ;)  My folks took care of all the boys while we snuck out for an early dinner at a swanky new spot in downtown Willo which was such a nice treat - thanks!

fireworks

Watched the fireworks from the front lawn of the church which was made even more fun by treats, food, games, and music!  I got in a little #placeswhereyoucanknit action with my knitting while we waited for the really awesome fireworks - Willo never disappoints!  Keaton was in awe since he'd never been that close to fireworks before.

falls

Snuck in a visit to Brandywine Falls with a big bunch of family...

headlands

Headlands Beach was full of seagulls to chase, sand to jump in, and nature bits to collect.  The boys worked on making some fun silhouettes and art with the collection of stuff.

party people

We had so much fun at Austin's first!  The cookie monster theme meant plenty of cookies and blue ;)  

Here's a shot of just about everyone at the party/family reunion ;)

slip n slide

The big bunch of party kids enjoyed playing (safely!) on the slip and slide.