Atomic Buster and his sidekick Max

This Summer Grayson has been hard at work on a new comic book line- the adventures of Atomic Buster and his sidekick Max.

Atomic Buster's main super hero power is his ability to use his toxic gas to knock out criminals. (Pretty sure that part was inspired by real life.)

In the end Atomic Buster saves the day and is awarded the key to the city.

Awesome!

Swimming Lessons for One

This year we were down to only one kid needing to take swimming lessons. Rowan thought it was very unfair that he had to go but Grayson didn't. He complained a lot about having to go, but smiled and laughed the entire time. Rowan has been stuck on the same swimming level for the last two summers, so we were determined that he would pass it this year. He has had the hardest time learning to side breathe, but this year he finally figured it out.

WooHoo on to level 3!

Summer Sewing- Project #2- The Napping Quilt

The BIG yard addition

One Saturday this Spring Paul and the boys headed to COSTCO and came home with a VERY BIG box.

We had been needing to replace our old pool, and they went with the "bigger is better" thinking on this one. The pool is in fact barely able to fit in our rather small yard. It was also going to take a lot of prep work to get a soft, level spot for it. The boys were really excited about getting to work with Paul on this project.

NO, really, they were.

There was sand to be shoveled.

Lots and lots of sand.

Luckily we have strong kids to move all that sand for us.

Then it needed to be spread out,

and leveled.

Finally we were ready to set the pool up!

I can't say that I love looking at this monstrosity. In many ways it's a step in the opposite direction from how I want the yard to look. I do love how much fun the boys have been having in it though, and I'm glad that it's big enough to accommodate as many friends as we happen to have over.

Yard Love

This spring and summer Paul and I have been working hard on some projects to improve our backyard. Paul built some amazing new planters with some reclaimed wood we had laying around, I planted the garden all by myself this year, and we are experimenting with some different kinds of plantings around the yard. We are not done yet with all we hope to accomplish back there, but so far we are really loving how it is turning out!