Home from the Hills

We had an incredible weekend in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Unfortunately we did not have a lot of time to enjoy the tourist areas that are available. However, it was a much needed time to relax and enjoy the view.



The girls and I had our first road trip with Grandpa at the wheel. Not really sure he will take us along again. My little one was a little grouchy until we were over half way to our destination.

We did take a little stop on the way for lunch. We had to take advantage of a photo opportunity in front of the Faith Dinosaur Museum. . .



We spent the weekend watching my nephew run track. Well, the girls didn't really watch. I bribed them with new markers and coloring books.



It was a great trip, relaxing and exhausting all at the same time.



What's up this week. . .t-ball, softball, a kick-off to summer party with 20 girls ages 6 to 8, a much needed girlfriends shopping trip (no kids allowed). If I survive during the week, it is off to another camping trip with a little softball tourney on the side.

Headed for the Hills

We are just getting ready to head out to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Unfortunately this time we won't be taking in Mt. Rushmore or some of the other tourist attractions. We are headed to Deadwood today. My aunt and uncle have a beautiful home on the mountain.

Tomorrow we will spend the day watching track in Spearfish and then Saturday we will finish up our weekend watching track in Rapid City.

It should be nice and green out there. I should have some great photo opportunities! I will share them on Sunday!

Have a great weekend!

Poetry Time

One of the activities I decided to do with my girls this summer vacation is Poetry on Tuesdays. I meant to get this posted yesterday, but it didn't happen so I am sharing today. First we read from Jack Prelutsky's book, It's Raining Pigs & Noodles.

Then the girls picked a topic and we started to brainstorm. They decided to write about the bunnies in our backyard. Below is their creation. I decided to leave it in the spelling that my eight year-old used. I got them a new composition book to record all of their poetry in for the summer.

Backyard Bunnies

By: Taylor, Madelyn and Nadia Thue

Four little bunnys made their home in our backyard.

We really tried to catch them but it was really hard.

When we're really quiet we can sneek a peek.

But then our little sister gets excited and gives a big shriek! EEK!

My dad wants them to disapear.

But he's no magician, so they just reappear.

A hungry dog found our bunnys running free.

We're not sure what happened, but now there's only three.

I really tried to let them do it and not give a lot of input. I did help them come up with rhyming words. One of my purposes of this activity is to get my middle child reading. After they finished the poem, she read it back to us. Hopefully this activity will help her work on some of her words and make it fun for her.

Now what should we do today. . .

Memorial Weekend Fun

Summer vacation is officially here. My two older girls are still in bed at 9:00. Too bad my little one still got up at 7:30. Oh well, it has still been a good morning. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like their first day home from school is going to be bright and sunny. I think we are in for a little rain. 

I was planning a little poetry activity with them today so that will keep us busy for a little while and maybe the sun will shine a little later.

I wanted to share a few pictures from our first camping outing of the season. The weather could have been better, but we still had a blast.

On Saturday morning the girls participated in one of the Game, Fish and Parks activities. They learned about building dams and then they went down to the river and built their own dams. Everyone got a little dirty, but they had fun.

Taylor took in a little fishing and thought it was great when she caught two fish at the same time. The weekend was filled with fishing, exploring, and a lot of Smores.

Slip and Slide and Monster Cookies

The swimsuits were dug out of the drawers and the slip and slide was pulled out of the cupboard. Summer weather is finally here! After school the girls did not hesitate to ask if they could pull out the slip and slide. It took a little digging, but the slip and slide was found and the fun began. 

After a little slipping and sliding the girls feasted on fresh from the oven Monster Cookies (I love Schwan's). 

Earlier today Nadia got a few of our flowers planted. She loves finding the bugs. She spent a little time talking to a ladybug and then she moved on to the worms. Now if only we can keep the bunnies away from the flowers. . .

Swimsuits are here. Where is the warm weather?

The new swimsuits arrived in the mail today. I thought that the warm weather would follow them here. It did not. The wind is still blowing (I am not sure it ever stops blowing in South Dakota). 

Even though it is a little chilly we had to chase the bunnies around in the yard today. It is amazing the hours of entertainment three wild little bunnies can have on a three year old. (And her mom).

My oldest is turning into a little photographer trying to get pictures of the bunnies before they disappear. They already think a dog, (that they have decided is named Jack), has eaten one of their little bunnies. We went from 4 to 3. All of the bunnies have names, too.

One of our goals for the summer is to try to appreciate the great outdoors. Starting in our very own backyard. 

School's (almost) Out for the Summer. . .

Two days and one week left and school is out for the summer! I can hardly wait. Our camper is out in front of our house and we are getting ready to hit the road with it. Well, not exactly the road, we are only camping 3 miles from home Memorial Day Weekend.

I am starting this new blog to document our family adventures. I am gearing up to make this summer and unforgettable one for my girls and I hope that by the end of the summer I will be able to blog that it really was.

Our oldest is 8, and already is more interested in spending time with her friends than with her family. It is my goal to change her attitude a little bit. Or at least get her to want to spend time with us and she can bring her friends along, (once in awhile).

So I hope you can turn to this blog for a few laughs, and a few ideas on how to have fun with your kids.

In our culture today it seems like our kids are always looking for more. Unfortunately the more they are always looking for usually has a price. I live on a budget and I think that a lot of fun can be had with a little bit of creativity and a lot of patience.

Welcome to the adventures of the Thue Crue!