Cardboard Box Fort

We purchased a new washing machine because our old one finally pooped out and were left with the perfect cardboard box to build a fort.

All we used was scissors, packaging tape, a box cutter and paint.

I cut off two of the flaps to leave a hole for the "sunroof". All cut edges were taped off so that the cardboard held tightly and didn't shred.

A back window was cut out. Just the right height to prop up your nerf gun

or just stick your cute face out of.

We now have a door. The rock doorknobs will be glued on after the painting is finished.

The boys put a "base coat" of green spray paint on the fort and then will finish up with their own decor. Coop wants to paint his two sides camo and Brody wants red & blue...should be interesting.

We used green because it was a can of spray paint I had sitting around for the past two years intending to paint some shelves for Coop...glad I could finally use it for something. Go Ducks!

Jack & Coop ate their pizza at the table while Brody ate in the fort (see background).

To be continued....The fort isn't completely finished but I will post pictures when it is. We are hoping that the raccoons don't chew it up tonight.

The Appetizer Plate

After sending Coop off to an overnighter, Brody and I rented a movie (Stuart Little) and I made him his favorite dinner, the appetizer plate. Tonight's plate consisted of crackers & dip (the key ingredients of said plate), a nectarine, orange pepper slices, cucumbers, roasted chicken and honey peanuts. This child is in appetizer heaven.

This is one happy kid. As an afterthought we added cheese puffs.

Now who wouldn't be happy about that?

Obstacle Course

Sooooo.....what to do on a hot summer day when you're bored? Build a backyard obstacle course. This has provided DAYS of fun which has been a huge relief

after hearing "there's nothing to do" over and over.

The first obstacle on the course was the "step into the large plastic yellow bucket that mom & dad put beer in at parties and Brody sometimes uses as a swimming pool (see photo in post below)". We don't pour it in and drink it with a straw but just put the bottles in to chill on ice - in case you were wondering.

My favorite part of the course was the "chairwalk". These wonderful hard plastic adirondak chairs (that fit any butt size) were painted a whimsical blue by auntie Amy. I love these chairs.

Brody's version of the "chairwalk"

was to run around the chair with an adorable smile on his face.

After the "chairwalk" was the "high step (or low step) over any long, narrow object we can find". This included lacrosse sticks, swords, a shotgun and nerf machete.

Now onto the "hop over the row of different athletic balls". This was a hop, not to be confused with a leap, step or gallop.

Next was the "crawl into and flip over" the lacrosse net. We're almost at the end.

The very last "obstacle" was to knock over a part from a nerf gun with a football. This sometimes took one try and sometimes took 20 tries.

As you can see, this was a very technical and difficult part of the course.

Endnote: the original course was created with the help of cousin Zack...thanks Zack!

Bullwinkles with Jack

We met Jack and Kristin at Bullwinkles for some summer fun. Below is a picture of Jack & Coop taking on a "big kid" who was soaking Brody & the moms on the sideline.

Brody wasn't tall enough to ride the boats by himself but he thoroughly enjoyed "taking on"

the big kid with the giant squirt guns.

The boys were soaking wet after the bumper boat experience...

Beaverton Fountain

I took the boys to the Beaverton Fountain. I think this will probably be the last summer for fountains...they're just getting older. Brody was interested (a little) but Coop faded quite fast.

Bowling on a Hot Day

Being such a hot day in Portland, the boys went bowling at Sunset Lanes. A water fight ensued at our house afterwards accompanied by lots of whining and fighting...boys.

Microwave s'mores.

We really need a swimming pool.

Playdate with Spencer

Playing at the OES playground.

Lunch at The Olive Garden.

Sauvie Island Farms

The boys went picking today with Grammy on Sauvies' Island. We picked many raspberries, marionberries, blueberries, cabbages and some green beans. The first picture is of the boys taking the tractor back from the bathroom. 15 minutes in to picking Brody needed to poop...why oh why does this always happen?

Jett Turns "1"

Happy Birthday Jett!

After cake, the kids took a swim in the hot tub...