June 2013 Activities

June 2013 was a full month of activities for the Duff family. While Fixitman worked at teaching students estimating, Trainboy (and the other kids) had fun building with Fixitman's new block toys he got for work research.

Look mom a ship!

Dinoguy and Trainboy had morning swim practice five times a week which meant I got lots of time with just Princess and Little Guy. We often went to the library or park. One morning the library had the emergency vehicles visit. We watched the helicopter land which was really exciting to the kids, but when it came time to get close to the helicopter, Princess hid behind my back and I lifted Little Guy in for a picture which he was not pleased about.

We warmed up a little bit sitting on the front of the Fire Engine and then climbing in a digger excavator.

After a little bit they even wanted to talk to the Policemen and Firemen and ask them questions.

We worked on some science projects with magnets. Here we are looking at attraction between the paperclip and magnet and trying to get the paperclip to "float" in the air.

Success!

Princess being cute at the park

We went to a swim meet every Saturday in June. Taking pictures of kids swimming isn't easy but I keep trying for some reason. The boys improved their times in the 25 Free and 25 Back almost every meet.

Dinoguy trying out the 100 Free - he didn't like it.

Trainboy trying out 25 breast stroke

Trainboy climbing out of the pool

Different meet - Trainboy preparing to jump off the blocks

Dinoguy getting ready to step up on the blocks

Father's day is in June! We had fun making breakfast for Fixitman and waking him up.

Read my card Daddy!

Cub Scout camp also happened in June. I went as a walking leader. This was Dinoguy's last year and Trainboy's first. Princess also attended the sibling care camp and had fun. I tried to take more pictures this year. It was hot but with a lot of water we had a good time.

I walked with Trainboy's group. Here we are waiting for crafts time to start.

Trainboy showing me his carved necklace.

A posed group picture of our group.

We did see Dinoguy sometimes during the week. He had great leaders and seemed to be having a great time.

Boys find a steep hill and have to climb it!

Trainboy enjoyed learning how to shoot a bow and arrow.

Learning to fire a BB gun was also fun!

Watching the egg drop at the end of the day

Trying out shooting while standing.

Watching track practice while big boys were at swimming. Princess is getting too big for the buggy.

At the end of the month we went blueberry picking before the season ended. We got totally lost on the way to the farm and got there much later than we had planned so it was starting to get hot. But fresh picked local blueberries are delicious!

Princess found some shade when she got hot and focused on picking berries she could reach from her shady spot.

Little Guy focused on drinking lots of water

It was a great small family farm to visit with other animals for the kids to see as well. Wish we'd gone more than once or been able to get there at 8 am but we'll go again next year.

There is a quick review of the things we did in June where I took pictures!

Children's Barnyard visit (October 2012)

This year all of the kids came when we visited the children's barnyard at the local university. The kids enjoyed holding baby chicks and seeing other animals. There wasn't free ice cream this year though. Just animal crackers. Oh well. It was still a great (and free) experience.

Little Guy was afraid of most of the animals. He wouldn't get near them. I touched him with a baby chick and he ran away.

Here I am showing Princess how to hold a baby chick.

These two LOVED holding baby chicks.

He wanted to touch all of the animals!

Checking out the sheep

The wonder of a baby chick was fun.

I think Trainboy stayed with the chicks almost the whole time.

Princess observed the animals quickly.

She spent most of the time playing in the sawdust floor with her friend.

Photo op best picture

Well despite the lack of free ice cream (which was really all I wanted) we had a good time. Kids got to see and touched some farm animals!

Duff Family Reunion Activities

What do you do at a Family Reunion in Idaho? After pictures there was a lot of eating and talking with some fun Idaho worthy activities at Fixitman's brothers' house.

Trainboy learning to shoot a BB gun with his Uncle

Fixitman & Trainboy

More BB guns

Dinoguy shooting

Learning about BB gun safety

Princess & Baby playing with a box

Four wheeler rides

Princess and her daddy

Baby and a cousin

Water balloon launching with a large sling shot

Fixtman's brother, sister in law, Aunt and sister in law

I had a bunch of really good pictures of the water balloon launching that my camera ate and were only partially recovered. They are in theory on my brother's computer as well, but I haven't gotten them from him yet. So just these. Also I guess the boys riding the slow four wheeler that didn't go more than 5 miles per hour but gave them thrills. (They wore helmets).

Fixitman's cousin and family came to visit too

Fixitman's Aunt

Grandpa & Fixitman's cousin

Sleepy Princess

Baby and Cousin's wife

two cousins

Fixitman & Baby

Time for cake

Mmm...german chocolate

Princess decides to sample it