Baking

Lia has gotten bit by the baking bug.  This summer she started getting into the kitchen to whip up something she found on Pinterest.  She mainly focused on cupcakes.  She did not want any help from me.  The first couple of batches were okay, but the more she bakes the better she gets. Here she is making brownies.  She got the vanilla and lemon flavoring mixed up.  So we enjoyed some lemony, chocolate brownies.  They were actually pretty good! 

Fishing

Getting ready to head out

Beautiful full rainbow

Wild hair

Little one

Being goofy

Got a little seasick

Bird Watching

Ali and Ian did a little bird watching after school today.  Looks like they need a South Carolina guide.

Ian's Tent

The kids have been begging to set Ian's tent up so Ian and Chris got it up yesterday.  The kids spent most of the late afternoon and evening playing in it.  They had grand plans to sleep in it last night, but the heat was too unbearable so they decided to come inside.  They are looking forward to the fall to try again.

Art Class

We are studying American History this year, so I researched and found an art book about Great American Artists.  The book features a brief description of an artist and their particular art specialty.  Today we learned about John Singleton Copley who was a painter who specialized in portraits and narrative paintings.  The assignment for the day was to draw a narrative drama.  Ian and Lia's drawing reflect our talks about the explorers and the native Americans.

Ian copied the Indian from a painting he found on the computer and the rest is his own creation

Lia's picture features a fight between an Indian and a Spanish explorer

Chilling Before Their Morning Run

First Try Without Training Wheels

Chris took Ali out today to practice riding her bike without training wheels.  She has zero balance.  She was already tired, so it probably wasn't the best time to try.  She gave it a go though.  More practice to come.

Chris thought she might do better on a bigger bike so he got Ian's old bike out of the garage.  Ali didn't even want to get on it.  She was done trying for the day.