Summer Vacation 2011: Kickin' it in LaVerne

On Thursday, we drove to stay with Mike's brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Jenny and their cute Cate.  We stopped for McDonald's on the way and they gave us "girl toys" in the boys' happy meals.  Big disappointment.  Apparently they ran out of the Star Wars toys.  We were told we could exchange their toys at any other McDonald's.  Out with Strawberry Shortcake and in with Smurfs.  What's up with the 80's revival kid stuff?

When we got to Joe and Jenny's we went to a nearby splash pad/park and let the kids play.  What little boy can resist riding a shark?!

 They loved getting wet and running about with their little cousin. 

All bundled up and drying off.  I love this shot.

The boys also had fun in Joe and Jenny's back yard, playing with the water and sand toys. 

My sister in law is so good at finding inexpensive things and using them for play.  She is also a talented thrift/consigment/yard sale hunter.  I'm a little jealous of her great finds!  Great tip:  Buy big paint brushes at the dollar store and let the kids paint with water outside.  They loved doing this, and using the big "real" brushes was better fun than the wimpy watercolor brushes I gave them at our house to paint the sidewalk with.

We had a quiet dinner and then put the kiddos to bed so the adults could stay up and play games.  We had so much fun laughing and playing Blokus and Quiddler, staying up a little too late.  At least the kids were better rested for the next big day of fun!