Steven, Sammy and Amaya are obsessed with finding rocks (and bringing them in the house). They told Ashley, “We found some beautiful rocks that we love!” Of course they did.

Tuesday morning was a camp field trip! I was nervous about the kids on a bus at such a young age but their bus has some harness seats so away they went! We have these cool camp t-shirts to wear so the campers are all easily identifiable.

This picture is so reflective of the kids right now. They always have to have stuff with them. So much stuff!

I had to bribe the kids for their field trip photo by telling them they could see the wasp nest that was coming down later in the day.

Taco had a dr appointment so I took the kids to camp and picked them up. It was the first time I got to drop them off myself and I loved meeting their favorite counselor. Most of all, I loved hearing their first reaction to going on the bus. “We went on a BUS!”

Their counselor, Jodi, sat next to Amaya who cried a little on the way there but was excited for the ride home. The boys were also nervous in the beginning but loved the ride home. Everyone keeps asking when they get to go on another field trip.

After camp & lunch, Steven was off for his overnight adventure with Grandma Sunshine!

At home, our wasp nest was removed. It was huge, but empty. While they were there, the pest guys did find an active yellow jacket nest buried in the landscaping next to the garage! Ack!

They were so nice and brought a small, empty wasp nest from their truck for Sammy and Amaya to touch.

Wednesday morning we sent some good morning pictures to Steven and Grandma.

Good morning, Steven!

Megan took Sammy and Amaya to story time at the farm and I was lucky enough to be able to meet up with them for lunch. It was perfect. Gorgeous weather and happy kids. All that was missing was Steven.

This picture is crazy. SUCH BIG KIDS.

Steven had his own fun at the playground with Grandma. “She pushed me so fast!”

And then this little face was home to us! <3 <3 <3

Just in time for another dinner picnic.

Thursday morning, Sammy was the first one awake so he got some alone time with me while i got ready for work.

Soon enough, Amaya and Steven joined me. Amaya got her own makeup so she could put hers on while I did mine.

Steven took it easy.

SSA were outside most afternoons this week. It’s been so nice! I need to remember to stay in the moment and avoid counting down to winter. 🙁

Sammy’s on the phone with Daddy.

My hair was straight on Friday and I promised the kids the could brush it with water to make it curly again. It is pure chaos when three 3 year olds are running back and forth from the bathroom with wet brushes to style my hair. And cold. But also adorable.

They got into the fun with Jason, too. Here Jason has a towel over his face to keep from getting wet while Sammy brushed his hair. At the same time, Steven was throwing basketballs at Jason’s face, lol.

Amaya was slow to get moving on Saturday. When she and I were ready to come downstairs, I found Steven and Sammy in the chair together reading books and counting together. It was adorable.

We made Saturday a family zoo day! Steven wanted to see foxes. Sammy wanted to see squirrels. Amaya wanted to see elephants. (Sorry Amaya.)

The zoo is so big that we can’t reasonably go without a stroller or the wagon yet. It’s just way too much walking. In fact, families with kids much older still seem to take wagons to the Detroit Zoo. I can’t pull them in the wagon anymore but, fortunately, Jason can.

And Sammy can.

And Steven can!

Zoo selfies!

The line for food was too long at the zoo so we made a pit stop for hot dogs on the way home. Amaya decided to eat hers in the high chair. Goofball.  (It’s out from when Taco visited and now the kids love feeding their stuffed animals in it.)

This morning everyone woke up in a great mood. Sammy and Amaya built projects for Ashley. This is Ashley’s last week with us before she goes back to college and we’re going to miss her so much! She’s been amazing with the kids this summer and they love her.

Sammy made Ashley a “sprayer”.

Amaya made Ashley a person.

Steven made a hula hoop and it’s for him only. 😉

Stickers are huge around the house. I picked up some new stickers at Meijer this week and I think SSA spent nearly an hour playing quietly just sticking stickers on paper. I’m going to bring some on the airplane for them to play with. It might be a great way for them to pass time.

We had family brunch a Deadwood. Hands down this was our easiest time out at a restaurant as a family. Almost relaxing. We’ve been coming to Deadwood since they were still in infant carriers so this place feels like a great barometer for passing time.

Steven was the Coaster Keeper.

Sammy and Amaya holding hands when we left the restaurant. <3

Today was Steven’s day to go to the grocery store with Jason. Boy was he ready!!

While they were off shopping, Amaya and Sammy got in some bike riding and some time with the water table. Yes, that’s Amaya sitting in a stroller. I really can’t explain it.

I was trying to get Sammy to ride down the grass. He’s so close to getting the concept of balancing while he rides. I thought, if he could get some speed on the hill on the grass, it would help it click for him. He wasn’t so into it though. He much prefers the hill on our driveway.

Water table up front so Sammy could also ride his bike.

It turns out Amaya hasn’t been riding her bike because she was afraid her helmet buckle would pinch her neck when we close it. I’m so glad she told me so I could get her more comfortable.

We wrapped up the day with Daddy dinner fresh off the grill. It was SSA’s first corn on the cob!

At that’s it for the week! I’ll wrap up with my men posing as a big butterfly. (Really. That’s what they told me they were. Anything to keep their daddy as close as possible.)

Have a great week!