Summer's over?

I don't think so!!

School started this last week here in Folsom and it's totally weird to me; August is summer. But whatever, that's fine with me because now all the parks and splash pads are up for grabs! I just feel bad for those kiddos in school (although now they get out in May). And since I don't want to worry about school for a while, I'm just going to enjoy myself.

So here's some summer-y adventures:

I watched 5 children while my BIL and SIL went on a much deserved date for two (6yo, 3yo, 2 yo, 1yo, 5m). I was very, very proud of myself. But to be honest the kids were really well behaved so I can't really give myself all the credit :)

I gave the girlies a bath together because they were filthy from playing outside. They had lots of fun.

Garret getting Caleb to laugh. So sweet.

We have cleared out the large dirt pile from off our basketball court (thanks Tristan, Trent, and Sheldon) and now can have lots of fun on it!

She's pretty good on the scooter... I should really get her a helmet at this point though.

It's a hard life being cuties.

We enjoyed an afternoon at the zoo with some friends!

Ellie and Max loved the tigers and bears

isn't it obvious? 

My double stroller is big, so I normally just use the single one (Ellie likes to walk most of the time anyway), but this is what I do when she wants to go in the stroller too. I'm pretty inventive (I bet I'm breaking some sort of law by doing that)

Ellie and Gwen... I'm bummed I didn't get their faces. Sometimes the only picture you can get of a toddler is from behind. Or else it's super blurry. 

The kiddies! (They really weren't interested in taking a picture...)

And the babies.

And I captured this little gem of Ellie imitating a monkey. Love her.

And what's summer without some baking? (You can apply that to anytime of the year, I've decided)

'Course when the cookies were actually finished, Ellie didn't want to have anything to do with them... she much preferred the chocolate chips.

Warning: when you eat cookies from me, Ellie's hands will have been all over the morsel-y goodness.

We have also made our way back to the splash pads. This is one of my favorite summer activities because I don't have to worry about Ellie while she plays in the water. We pack a lunch, and spend a few hours in the water. Love.

Ellie, Tabitha, Caleb, and Hailye

Playing in the water with some pretzels. (Thanks for sharing, Tabitha)

YAY! She loves it. 

This gives you a little perspective of how big Caleb is. He has to be like 1/3 my height! (And probably width). I guess it's not a huge feat since I'm only 5'2". My arms are buff.

Ellie painted her nails for the first time by herself. It lasted a whole 15 seconds before I decided she wasn't quite ready yet. But she loved it.

And some more cousin time outside.

He's a good grandpa... playing horse PIG with Garret.

Ellie is obsessed with Buster. She likes that he's only 5 pounds and can hold him... unlike Caleb.

Eating otterpops and watching the sprinklers in our backyard. Does this picture just scream summer time? That's why I'm protesting that it's not over. I plan on eating many more otter pops.