Some of you will find this pretty offensive...

but E thinks meat is pretty cool...especially when while he is standing there looking at the "black chicken" the butcher starts flinging in new frozen whole chicken at the display window area -- head and feet attached!  The black chicken are there, but covered up by the new chicken he just flung in.

And to his right...chicken feet.. woo whoo...  even better!

Today was market day... and when I was done with my part (buying veggies, noodles, and tofu), they had their fill.  They look forward to this part... asking me what every part of the meat is called and where it comes from!  (Truth be told, I don't know what half the stuff there is called either so I have to read signs and then look for what "might" be that thing.  We've tried asking the butchers behind the counter before, but they normally are not very interactive, those Asian store butchers!  They want you to know your stuff, ask for it and leave!  Something like ordering a bowl of pho!)  Regardless, they like this part!

I forgot to take photos of the seafood selection!  They love that part even more because there no glass partitions between them and the seafood!  They can actually touch the fish -- but they don't!  I have told them may times... "look but do not touch or you will not come back!"  (Thank goodness they listen to me because they always accompany me to the Asian market - al.ways!  I'd be lost as to what to do with them when I go!)

After the market, we went home for lunch, played a bit, then back to pick up MG from school.  On the way home, they always somehow convince me to stop at the library -- even though we have a ton of books checked out already!  The library is another favorite place to go.  We visit a few different ones.  This is the Vineland Branch Library.  I like their children's reading area.  It always seems so comfortable -- especially if you sit by the bay window... I could have easily taken a nap there!  Luckily, they chose to sit at some random spot by a chair on the floor!
She's reading Abiyoyo Returns.  Do you know the original story?  They love it!

He's looking at Sponge Bob books today... a character I do not care for.  Oh well!

E loves Olivia.  I do too.  She's something else, that pig!  Reminds me a bit of E!

Hopefully the library photos made up for those offensive market meat photos!

Friends are the best!

Jenna and Morgan are spending a lot of time together this summer since they do not attend the same school anymore.  They get along very well.  Today we went to see The Tale of Despereaux.  Ethan did well -- better than expected.  At certain point during the movie he needed to sit with me.  Snacks of popcorn and candy came in very handy!  He loved the surprise bag I packed for them -- Teddy Grahams, M&Ms, Skittles, and a few kisses!
Afterwards we went to the park for a quick lunch.

Then we headed over to Vineland Library to see Magic Mike perform.  He was great -- and funny!  The children had a great time.  I couldn't help smiling every time MD laughed.  He was having a BLAST I tell ya!  (See photo below)

He made a rabbit appear!

He juggled!

And he brought out Squiggly the Talking Dog!

After watching Magic Mike they read a few books at the library.   Well, Morgan did.  Matthew played on the computer.  Ethan cried because he couldn't play on the computer. (He always has to do what Matthew does!)  Then he found Theodor and the two read together for awhile.   

Then we headed over to celebrate Nikash's 4th birthday! That's Ben, Emma K., MD, and MG playing together.

He did well blowing out that candle!

Happy Birthday Big Guy!  Thank you for having a birthday so we could see you and spend time with all our friends.  We had a great time.

Today...

Saturday, June 26, 2010

We went on a treasure hunt at the library!  (I spent all morning getting ready for our camping trip so the children needed a break from "my" errands so they could do something else!  Geez, what's wrong with smog checks, Target, bank visits, and Costco?  I just don't get these children.  They are so picky!).
The library had a treasure hunt to kick off the summer reading program...

Upon arriving, they made a pirate decoder along with a pirate hat and eye patch:

Arr...  Aye Matey!!!!  (He loved that patch!  He cried everytime it fell off and made he put it back on immediately.  You would think he was bothered by it being on his eye!  At one point he dropped it near a bigger child sitting at the computer.  Somehow when she moved, she stepped on his eye patch.  Wow, you should have heard his cry afterwards!  "That person she tep (he often leaves out the s sound in some words) on my eye patch!"  I had to make him another one pronto!

Then they started to decode the first clue:

Arr!!!  He wasn't too interested in decoding:

So she and I did most of the work!

While they had a sword fight!

Eventually, we made it to the "X" marks the spot -- where they were able to pick their prize!

And there you have it -- 3 hardworking, no 1 hardworking 2 free loading brothers... 3 pirates who chose a lolly as their final reward/treasure!

Well worth running around the library today!  Then it was back to getting ready for the camping trip with Jim and Clare.  Vince was out all day videographing AND photographing a wedding. So I was on my own to gather all the supplies and pack up the car.  We are leaving first thing in the morning.  Good thing the camp site is only an hour away!  I wonder if sleeping ALL DAY is an okay camping activity???

Summer is...#4

Reading, reading, and more reading!  We've joined the Summer Reading program again and this time, MG is doing all the reading herself!  We've set the same goal as last year - 50 books.  But you know we're already half way there!  We visit the library (various ones each time) at least once a week -- sometimes twice!  They love to read and that makes me so happy!

He was reading until I took out the camera.. he decided he wanted me to take a photo of this:  (yes, we found the glasses!  I actually packed them up before leaving the pool -- what a good mom I am! LOL!)

The Summer Reading Program comes with many benefits (aside from free prizes and books when you reach a certain goal).. they have free entertainment!  This is the juggler that made Matthew laugh so hard he almost cried!  (thought I was going to say something else huh? )  He was funny!  And talented!

We love the Summer Reading Program!  Did I mention that last summer MG won a $50 gift certificate from the Summer Reading program?  We may not be that lucky this year -- but we are certainly going to try!  :)