Summer's LOOOOONG

I've come to the conclusion that summer break is about 3 weeks too long. My kids were SO ready to head back to school weeks before it began. Last year we met a family from England and they were shocked to hear how many weeks American kids have off for summer. They said in England the kids have a 6 week holiday break. That about sounds perfect!

Maybe if we could afford a bunch of camps and things for the kids to attend it wouldn't seem so long. But, we can't and by the last few weeks of summer the kids were bored and quite frankly sick of being around each other all day long. They like each other but it was too much together time.

So we settled in for the long last stretch of summer. We enjoyed resting...

And we hiked...

And we bonfired...

And we visited the library...

And we had beach days and then had to soak our feet from the rocks scrapes...

And when things got really bad I turned to candy...

Tuba started to get depressed with the long wait...

I got a bit crazy and to entertain myself I began to take pics of my sleeping kids...

And you know what?! We made it! Phew! Another great summer (yet long) under my belt. And we are SOOOOOOO happy that school has arrived. Yeah!

Summer Time

Summer has arrived! We are settling into our summer routine nicely.

But, first some catch up on the past month. It was busy!

All school year long I had worked as a substitute teacher one day a week. Very occasionally I worked two days in a week. Then the end of the school year approached and teachers were asking me left and right if I could sub for the. The end of the year brings testing and report card prep so the need for subs is high. I decided to be brave and just go for it. I ended up working nearly every day for the last five weeks of the year. Some were half days which allowed me to get Tuba off the bus on the days that Cam worked. It was a little crazy to work so much but we all pushed through knowing it would be short lived.

Turns out it went great! Cam was a huge help and picked up a few extra chores around the house. The biggest help came in the form of making lunches and breakfast! Cam was awesome! The kids were great too. On the mornings that Cam was gone they helped us get out the door on time. I kept telling them the extra money I made would be for our vacation so they had good incentive to help out.

There were a few crazy moments too. One morning Moses told me he had no clean shorts. Well, he did have clean pants but he didn't want to wear pants. I informed him that he would have to wear pants. In the car I noticed that he had on shorts. He told me he got them out of the washing machine. The load had just finished and he pulled them out....and wore them wet. Oh!! Good thing they were quick drying fabric....but ewwww!

Now summer is here and we are in full relax mode. Lots of playing and reading and summer fun going on.

In the past week we have gone camping (pics coming soon), begun swim lessons, deep cleaned bedrooms (my favorite way to start summer), celebrated a bday (more pics to come soon), caught up on yard work and paperwork and household chores, slept in and even watched several movies.

We are ready for more fun!

A few pics from Cam's sister's visit in early June.

George's Kid Party

This was the first year that George has had a "kid" party. He was REALLY excited! We planned it all out way back in June. Finally when the day came he was so excited!

We had an old fashioned backyard party. We set up the slip and slide, the sprinkler and let the kids go at it. The weather was HOT HOT HOT!! 

George picked this cake....from Pinterest. What was I thinking letting him look at Pinterest?! But, it was delicious! Layers of chocolate cake and confetti cake with ganache poured over the top and finished with sprinkles. 

Then the kids did a piñata. I felt kinda bad watching the kids whack this cute Minion!

And outdoor present opening. Did I mention the day was hot? Oh, swelteringly hot. 

It was a really fun party and George is looking forward to next year already!

Camping Part 2

It took me awhile to get part 2 of our camping trip posted. I had to get photos off of Cam's phone so I could post them. Turns out he took some good ones of the camp site and the trailer we rented. Look how cute it is?!

Sis especially loved her bunk. She sat in there listening to music.

Like I said....George got to celebrate his 7th birthday while camping. Fun!! We had cupcakes at Grandma and Grandpa's campsite.

Fun party in the outdoors. Notice the racing theme at G&G's campsite? They are big Nascar fans. 

The campground had Shuffleboard and everyone had a great time playing. We'd all like a big court in our backyard!

We got to have Grandpa's amazing grilled chicken. My dad is a serious MASTER of charcoal grilling! I was taking notes!

And we are looking forward to more camping next year!

Look how much fun we are having!! Barb, what is the thumbs down for? I cannot remember. And why am I showing my beer? We are a strange bunch. 

The Slice

Outside My Window - Every night....a beautiful sunset.

Right now it's daytime so....It's summertime and I'm outside the window sitting on our new deck! The kids are playing in the yard on their new slip-n-slide. I tell ya...that is some good entertainment. It's hilarious watching them.

From The Kitchen - Fresh popcorn and iced coffee. I cook popcorn in a bit of olive oil and then sprinkle on some coarse sea salt. Delicious! The ice coffee is so good too. I don't drink coffee in the a.m. but I occasionally enjoy one in the afternoon. Today's drink is coffee, a bit of chocolate syrup and milk stirred together and poured over ice.

I Am Wearing - Teal shorts, a white embroidered t-shirt and black flip flops. I love flip flops! Hair in a ponytail.

I Am Creating - Order out of chaos....getting closets sorted and back to school clothes ready. Getting school supplies bought and sorted for each kid. That doesn't seem very creative...but it's all I got. 

I Am Going - To the salon tomorrow! Woot! Hair day and relaxation time. Love! 

I Am Reading - For book club we are going to read The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World. I haven't started it yet. For now I'm catching up on all my magazines. I get Martha Stewart Living, Sunset, and Real Simple. 

I'm also reading an issue of Christian Parenting (issue from 1996) and Thriving Family, A Focus on the Family magazine. My new neighbor left them in my mailbox yesterday. 

Hmmm.....I wasn't sure what to think about this..... 

A. She thinks I could use some parenting help.

B. She is trying to evangelize me.

C. Both A & C. 

Ha!! I got a good laugh out of it. I'm choosing to believe that D. She just wanted to give me some magazines she thought I'd like. :) And actually the Thriving Family issue has some good info in it. 

I Am Planning - A few more trips to the beach before school is back in session. And a few more S'more roasts in the backyard. Mmmmmm.

Around The House - We have a new deck.....almost complete!!! It's amazing and I'll be posting pics soon.

One Of My Favorite Things - My flower pots. These are my Mother's Day pots the kids and I planted. I love how lush they get by mid-summer. I have five of them and now with my new HUGE deck I could use a few more.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week - Sit on the deck, go to the beach, get school supplies for last two kids, ride bikes, soak up the sun....

A Picture Thought I'm Sharing -

Summer Love

In this part of the world where we live....Summer is the best! The weather can not be beat. It's warm but not too hot. For some I think summer conjures up relaxation and leisure. For me...not so much. Summer feels like a race. I've got to get out there and do ALL the fun summer things I want to do...before this nice weather is gone...and it's 40 degrees, dark and raining for another 8 months.

A few weeks ago I wrote here about my list of things I wanted to do this summer. Well, I've done everything on the list! And....some of them multiple times. And...summer is not over. Yeah!

I told Cam yesterday that I plan to clean the house really good....this Winter!! He looked like he was going to die! Seriously though...I'm doing the bare minimum to keep us going so we can get out and have fun!!

Yesterday I had the best day ever. It started by going to WW (I've lost almost 5 lbs....going slow but at least it's coming off...and my clothes are fitting much better). Then I packed up the kids and headed to the beach. We met a bunch of friends and had lunch and played the afternoon away. I love my friends and all their kids! Then we came home and met Cam. We re-grouped and headed down to another beach for dinner at the Farmer's Market. Yummy! Then we played at the park, visiting with some friends we saw there. Then we went to swimming lessons. Then came home and had ice cream and put the kids to bed. I felt so happy. The sunshine is so good for me...and all the fun with my kids.

So now, I'm off to do a few chores and then take the kids downtown to play some pianos they have out on the sidewalks for a summer event, then off to the Children's Museum playground on the roof.
Get out and enjoy some summer!

Smores

Around here summer is pretty short. We have to get out there and enjoy the nice weather. Our summer had a slow start and lots of extra cold weather. What better way to still get outside than to have a bonfire....and smores! Mmmmmm. Really, there is little I love more than sitting around a toasty fire, in a toasty coat, and eat a smore. Yum!

We went to my mom's house...and here I am wearing that toasty coat. It's my mom's bonfire coat (since it already has holes in it from sparks). I love it! It's like wearing a sleeping bag. Plus a nice glass of red wine. Beautiful!

Cam is the BEST marshmallow roaster on Earth. Seriously! It's why I married him....no, really it is!!!

My mom bought these HUGE marshmallows that tasted like a vanilla cloud. Yummo!

My nephews were there for the day too. Cousin fun!

Grandpa always builds a BIG fire...of course Tuba is happy to help out with that chore...and Busy Guy too.

And...a big nature walk to burn off the smores. Well, not for me. I prefer to watch. ;)

School Is OUT

Summer is here. Today was the last day of school for the kids. Yeah!

Poor Mr. P is sick and missed the last two days of school. He has big swollen glands and sore throat, fever, and basic yuck. Mr. P is counting the days until he can return to school and go the WHOLE day...and have lunch at school, and have more recess, and more PE! He loves school. He is ready for 1st grade.

Tuba is now officially on to high school. I am so nervous and can't believe he is that old already. He had the BEST teachers in the world at the middle school...and grade school too so the bar is set pretty high. He will be missing school over the summer.

Busy Guy is so sad that his pre-school year ended two weeks ago. He is already missing school and really misses Mr. P. Now, they can both be home and PLAY!

The toddlers are thrilled when the sun is out and can run and play outside...well, they love it when it's rainy too but I'm a mean mom and won't let them play in the mud. ;)

Being the crazy anal planner that I am...I'm already trying to figure out the schedule for the Fall. Yes, I'm nuts and probably need meds...seriously. I'm trying to just relax and plan instead a bunch of fun things for summer. We are going to be missing Cam and trying to fill the days with fun. Tomorrow I've promised to scrub out the pool and let the kids play in it. A few more things we have planned....beach days, swimming lessons, park days, play dates, birthdays-4 of them, library days, backyard fun, outside lunch (my favorite...no clean-up), bike riding, pool/sprinkler fun, making jam, Children's museum, picnics, zoo, nature walks, 4th of July fun, and every Fri. (which is the only day Cam will be home) we are going to do something fun together. Ahhhhh....summer! What's your favorite thing to do in summer?