The Skog Family Weeks (Month) in Review

The following takes place between the first week of July and the first week of August.  The events occur in real time.

Fun in the Sun

I might be a lazy sack now, but once upon a time I spent all of my free time outdoors.  The Skog girls have carried on the tradition this summer, usually starting their harassment of Wheels about 8:30 AM.  "Can we go outside, Mommy, can we go outside?  Can we see if 'X' can play?  Can we, Mom, can we?"  Welcome to Wheels' world.





4th of July Hike

We spent a good chunk of the month with either Wheels' parents visiting us or the Skog family visiting them. During their visit for the 4th of July we hiked up to the lower falls of a local canyon and lived to tell about it. It ended up being a bit further than we had anticipated but we can't complain. Someone who can complain? Flanksteak. Next time you see him ask him about his July hike. We are lucky to still have him with us.



What's For Lunch?

Meal time has always been a sore subject in the Skog home and by now you've seen many instances of the Skog girls being difficult and picky with what they will or will not eat. Well now that I know what Wheels is trying to serve them for lunch I think I'm on their side.



Rockstar Report

The Rockstar continues to grow up right before our very eyes. She has always been a relatively easy child as far as naps and eating go but so far this summer she has decided to take after her big sister Toots and tell mother that 'she don't need no stinkin sleep!'

No Sleep



She has also learned a few things about herself.

Head Shoulders Knees and Toes



And finally she has gone from the Rockstar to the Walkstar. (Trust me, I know how terrible that joke is/was but it's 6:00 in the AM and I'm not exactly throwing fastballs this morn...) Legend has it that I didn't walk until I was quite old. The Rockstar has followed in my footsteps (groan) and has waited until nearly 18 months to start taking some steps. Depending on my mother's mood when she tells the story, I was anywhere from 18 months to 4.5 years old when I walked for the first time. IRregardless, congrats to the Rockstar for her small steps for womenkind.  (Quite possibly the worst paragraph in Skog Blog History!)





Swim Lessons

Superstar's first summer of swimming lessons.



Trip to Nevada

We took what is becoming our annual pilgrimage to Northern Nevada to visit Wheels' family.  Superstar especially looks forward to this trip and started asking when we were heading out approximately 2.3 hours after she finished her last day of school.  As usual it was filled with plenty of good times in the outdoors.

Boating at Lahontan



Wheels claims that her all time favorite past time is wakeboarding but due to the fact that she has been great with child for the past 3 years straight it has been awhile since she was able to do said past time.  Luckily for her, wakeboarding is like riding a bike and she got up lickity split and rode the waves like a true champ.  Below is her first and best run of the day.



If wakeboarding is really like riding a bike then this is terrible news for me because I sucked at riding a bike and only learned to ride one at the age of 8 to not be mocked for missing the Cub Scout Bike Rodeo. Some of my other weaknesses are lack of upper body strength, flexibility and balance. In other words, I'm REALLY good at watersports. I did actually get up on my first try but fell every time trying to get over the wake. On my last run of the day I quickly got outside of the wake and had my longest ride to date. One whole minute. At that point I was tired and knew that if I attempted to cross back over the wake I would fall on my face or worse and so I decided to go out on top with my dignity intact.



Papa Dennis is 61 years old going on 30. I think I'd trade him bodies straight across, no questions asked because as this video details he is in better shape than men half his age.



Lake Tahoe

Spent a pleasant day kayaking and playing on the beach at Tahoe. You'll have to take our word for it since the pictures aren't plentiful. Probably from all of the time spent shooing away dogs that were scaring the crap outta Toots.



Quads

Superstar went for her first quad ride. A nice journey up the canyon and foothills of the Dayton Valley.

One other thing Wheels and I did this summer was get addicted to a tv show about a forensic detective who also happens to be a serial killer. Uplifting stuff. You know you've watched too many episodes in a short period when you're out riding a quad in the hills and spot this creepy Santa from a distance and you both freak out in fear that it is a dead body.

The Popsicle Thief

Pay close attention to what goes on in the background of these pics and then watch the video for Toots' Tantrum of the Week sponsored by Popsicle Brand Frozen Treats - Where Anything's Possible!





Projects with Grandma

When not playing outside in NV the girls spend their time making crafts and 'projects' with their Grandma. Here's some of their latest creations.



kg vs. The Bees

We seem to have a real bee and/or hornet infestation. I have destroyed more than one nest from our swingset this summer and now they seem to have taken a liking to the bushes in front of our home. The other afternoon before mowing the lawn I decided to take a wiffle ball bat and teach them a lesson. Wheels decided to get the camera and teach me a lesson on stalking. Watch out because stuff is about to get real. I hesitated about putting this on the web for fear that we'd end up with another Star Wars Kid-esque situation but I have to admit I chuckled watching my pest control skills. Just remember folks, kg is the X factor.



Country Fair Days

Our small town had its annual Country Fair Days and I'm sad to report that there wasn't another epic dance off between my nephews like last year. Superstar was able to participate in the Future Cheer Camp and ride on a truck in the parade. Good times as always. I've grown to really look forward to this annual tradition and hope that our girls never reach the point in their life when they wake up in the morn and sing, "There must be more than this provincial life..." Until then we'll enjoy our silly parade and games in the park.





As always, thanks for reading.

kg