every summer we participate in the johnson county reading program. the kids love keeping track of which books they read and getting a book to keep at the end of the summer. their favorites now seem to be anything that makes them giggle, sports books, animal/nature books and space books. here are a few favorites from this summer:
henry builds a cabin, henry hikes to fitchburg and henry climbs a mountain by d.b. johnson.
books inspired by the life of henry david thoreau, i love reading these as much as they enjoy hearing them!
the incredible book eating boy and the great paper caper by oliver jeffers.
there's a zoo in room 22 by judy sierra.
funny poems about classroom pets
joseph had a little overcoat by simms taback.
a story of making something from nothing.
the song of francis by tomie de paola.
giving thanks for life and love.
a giraffe and a half, the giving tree, the missing piece, a light in the attic by shel silverstein.
classic silly stories, poems and sweet stories.
dinosaur bob and his adventures with the family lazardo by william joyce.
the berenstain bears on the moon by stan and jan berenstain.
henry likes to read these short chapter books to lucy and charlie.
my favorites this summer are memoirs.
trail of crumbs by kim sunee.
an amazing life searching for love and home through food and travel.
see you in a hundred years by logan ward.
a couple and their young son literally live life as close to a 1900 american farm as possible. no electricity, no plumbing, car or telephone while they raise and grow all of their food. not only do they survive they come out with new knowledge about their strengths and what is important to them.
expecting adam by martha beck.
another book about an unconventional way of discovering what's important in life and listening to God and angels.
dress your family in corduroy and denim by david sedaris.
a comical look at life and family. makes me realize my own family may not be that crazy after all!
laughing at some animal antics!
the guest house-hotel.
blacksmith shop.
the general store (yes, there was candy back then).
one room school house.
who knew the 1800's were so much fun?! even without airconditioning on a hot summer day the kids ran from one building to the next to learn about life in 1855 missouri. 
i think at this point we are on toady #4, but here are pics of the original. they love creating a "habitat" for them with leaves, grass, water and bugs.
k-state baseball game against ku in lawrence with the eskews.
lucy watching blue's clues with her babies. she brings them all into the living room in strollers and lines them up next to her to watch shows.
charlie graduates from rolling hills pre-school. here he is with his awesome teacher mrs. nash.
check out what he writes for what his dad does: works on toilets.
our crazy puppy annabelle. we think she is part rabbit because she can jump so high. santa brought her for christmas!
the ms walk with our good friend matt.
riding in the st. patrick's day parade on the kansas city zoo float.
a day at home doing puzzles and playing games. sometimes that is the best!
lucy started ballet at beller dance studio.
charlie soccer-it was a very wet spring!
henry soocer.
easter with the cousins
henry-7
charlie-5
lucy-3
we started out this year's 4th of july celebration at village fest with neighbors spencer, owen and joe. 
then out to lake winnebago (gigi's house) for some swimming, boat rides, good food and fireworks on the water!
grandma nadine-87 and grandpa bill-88
henry age 6
charlie age 4
anita b. gorman discovery center
butterfly garden
foxglove at kauffman gardens
lamb's ear
allium
garden roses
several area historical sites, museums and gardens have an interactive passport to kc . the kids get a passport book and get stamps at each of the places they visit and if we visit 15 spots they will get a prize packet. the anita b. gordman center is one of the centers that participate and the kids were excited to get their first stamp! 
every summer we participate in the johnson county reading program. the kids love keeping track of which books they read and getting a book to keep at the end of the summer. their favorites now seem to be anything that makes them giggle, sports books, animal/nature books and space books. here are a few favorites from this summer:
