This Bonner Summer is Not a Bummer!

Even though the Bonner Five arrived in America on June 27 last summer (and had an entire month before school began), we consider this current summer as their first real one. Last summer entailed getting to know each other better, where the yard ends (not to check take the neighbor’s mail), how to play safely, and to grow acquainted with family and friends. Last summer, we were not quite ready to really get the kids immersed into extended family vacations and summer activities.

BUT THIS YEAR WE GOT OUR SUMMER ON.

It has been three months since our last post. We have been fully involved in summer fun and activities.  Matthew, Vivian, and Annie Kate all did some schooling during the month of June to strengthen their English proficiency even more, reinforce the skills they learned over the past year, and prepare them for the upcoming school year.

Next, they had a great time at two different Vacation Bible Schools (Mom and Dad REALLY enjoyed it too!). It gave our three a chance to experience activities at church that are specifically tailored to their age groups, as well as a chance to see some of their friends.

Matthew attended a local one-week soccer camp. He loves soccer and is good at it, but more importantly, we want him to learn the importance of hard work, discipline, and being a good team player. He had a great time and got to see some boys with whom he played spring soccer.

We spent two days in New Orleans checking out their animals at the aquarium and zoo before the weather turned insanely hot like it is now. Both were a lot of fun!

Another fun activity we have done is swimming--anywhere we can. We have been swimming at the local YMCA as a family, and all three kids have taken swimming lessons. They have improved tremendously in their confidence and skill in the water. Our three have learned everything from “your instructor does not want to drown you” to precision movements such as streamlines and breast strokes.

The Bonner Five visited Destin, Florida, with Poppa and had a great time playing at the beach and swimming in the pool. We even went on a dolphin cruise!

 

Our second beach vacation for the summer took place in Navarre Beach, Florida. Gareth’s family has taken this trip since 1986, and we want the Bonner Five to help maintain this special tradition. Matthew, Vivian, and Annie Kate most definitely livened things up for errrrbody.  They absolutely loved waking up to see the ocean, and then heading straight out to the beach and pool. Matthew and Annie Kate enjoyed the ocean the most; Matthew built innovative sand structures, and Annie Kate loved the constant movement of the water. Vivian said the ocean is not her friend because it has grass in it and puts salt water in her mouth. She would much rather play in the pool where it’s easier to pretend to be a dolphin, without all that other intrusive sand and marine life.

Making the most of the last few weeks of summer, we headed to our state capital to see a baseball game! It was kids' night, so the park had lots of fun jumps and activities for the kids to enjoy during the game. 

Matthew noticed some other boys catching foul balls, or asking players to throw them a ball during transition times; he was beginning to be a little sad about not having a real baseball from the game. We were moments away from telling him to get over it, when an elderly man came and sat down next to him. He asked Matthew if he had gotten a foul ball, and Matthew answered that he had not. The man proceeded to pull a ball from his pocket, explaining that it was a foul ball he found in the parking lot.  What a blessing!

Not long after, Vivian got a stray ball! A player threw it in the stands and it narrowly missed her. That would have been dramatic. Really dodged a bullet there.

Matthew and Vivian even got their baseballs signed at the end by one of the players. 

Next on our agenda is celebrating our favorite ten-year-old boy who will turn eleven next week! Can't believe we've been at family at home a full year! Not only have their sweet little faces grown and changed, but also their hearts, attitudes, behavior, and love.

We'll leave you with a few funny sayings from these three:

Annie Kate:

"Happy Valentine's Day!" for Mother's Day.
"No more school! It's Valentine's!" for the last day of school.

Vivian:
"He not be nicing!" Tattling on her brother.
"Look at that something!" She uses "something" for any word she doesn't know. It's so cute!
"When I get big, I will cut somebody's hair." Telling us what she wants to be when she grows up.

Matthew:
"I like these chicken nuts!" (nuggets)
"I like that man. He was a gentleman." His thoughts on our waiter.