Superheros and Science Camp

So Katie and her dad returned from her 5th grade Science Camp trip a couple days ago and Katie is still raving about what a great time she had. Dave too...as a counselor for a cabin of 5 almost-pubescent boys I think he just jumped a couple notches in my book, because he also reports having a blast. I have yet to receive the photos of the "girls group" shenanigans, but rumor has it Katie let a nasty banana slug crawl across her face for more than 10 seconds. Ahhh...my dainty little princess Katie- ha ha.  They were gone for four days total, which means that left me at home with the three boys...completely outnumbered. 
Here are a couple shots of their time together, which, by the way, is something every dad and daughter should do someday.

...and I am pretty sure all the "big kid" dads didn't need to have their arms twisted to go on the zip line either...heres Dave as he jumps off the cliff---how fun does that look?!!

So I also knew I would have to get a tad bit creative because Katie is typically the master orchestrator in all things fun around here, and so the views at our home during that time were something like this,

A laundry basket (full of laundry, of course) is only as good as the person pushing it REALLY fast around the house. Hold on, Owen!

 Barista Owen serves up a cold one...

Now its Ryans turn. Who knew the old box from daddys lawnmower would still be getting play?

His face looks like mine after I am handed my mocha in the morning :-)  

It's really interesting how when you remove one or two family members from the routine the whole dynamic gets tossed up in the air, and its quite fun to observe. Ethan, always being reminded by Katie that he IS the little brother, and quite often put in his place to remain as such by her B.S powers (thats Big Sis, by the way, although it could stand for another appropriate acronym at times). Ethan quickly identified the missing link and seized his opportunity....its time for Superheros, fast blanket rides down the hallway, and....well, anything else HE wanted to lead the other two into. He had four days to exercise this power, he was not wasting a moment. Now, we all know Ryan is really the "next in line" as far as age goes, but Ry is one of those amazingly cool kids that doesn't care who the leader is, he is happy to join in and follow. Bless that boy.

Sometimes the Superheros donned attire and conquered various missions around the home...Ryan and Ethan LOVE the costumes Nana and Papa got them for Christmas, and Ethan even likes to mix it up a bit and be a little of everything.

Ethan is eating a true Superhero PB&J sandwich.
And then, once in awhile, even Superman needs to pause and plan his next move....

And Owen was busy the entire time too, not surprisingly, doing things like

this....

(lasagna, its whats for dinner)

and this....

(yogurt, he heard on Oprah its good for the hair)

...and he even joined in on some of the dress up fun with his big brothers...

My sweet dudes. Ethan needs to move a bit away from the big sword Ryan is holding, however, if he wants to keep his right ear.

And there actually WERE some quiet moments when I would let them watch TV...the scene would soon be quiet and look like this...for just a little while...

....so we all survived Katie and daddy's departure, but were so happy to have them back home. Katie quickly resumed her role as head honcho and Ethan gladly stepped down from his thrown, and was just happy to have his sissy back, even if it meant not being in charge.

I guess watching Katie play on the iPad is fun? Hmmm....the power of a big sis. Dont quite get it, but it kept him happy and quiet for a good while.