Summer Observations

I have made some observations this summer that I would like to share.

It's H-O-T!!!! And it's still June. It seems like every summer gets hotter and every winter gets colder. Does that mean I 'm getting old?

God should have given me Case's energy level, because I might have a heart attack chasing him around on the rocks behind the house.

Spraying Off! actually keep bugs away, so spray plenty all over and hopefully your legs won't itch like mine.

We have wonderful neighbors. Next door is Dana, who is a cross between Bob Vila and MacGyver. Across the street live Mike and Linda, who let us use their pool without even having to ask!

If you buy your child goggles, she will swim underwater more. I'm not a huge fan of goggles, so I never really bothered with buying Kennedy a pair, but I finally broke down and got her some. I should have bought them a few years ago.

If you get close to Case when he has a big cup in his hand at the pool, you will get wet. Beware!

It's better to pay someone to put up crown molding in your living room with cathedral ceilings (and other rooms) and pay someone to paint those walls than for Matt to spend huge amounts of time away from us to do it himself. Money well spent!

No matter how much you pay for the paint, Matt still can't decide whether or not he likes the color.

Case is really good at making messes!

Matt is the world's best father. Here are the top ten reasons why (as stated on his homemade Father's Day card).

1. He lets Kennedy have more food than Mommy does.

2. He takes Kennedy and Case for rides on the lawn mower, even though Case doesn't want to go.

3. He can play Tickle Monster for 30 minutes (maybe even more).

4. In order for he and Kennedy to be able to watch more cartoons, he can read a book to her very quickly.

5. He can always make up fun games in the swimming pool.

6. He's not afraid to change shoo whee diapers.

7. He understands a little girl's broken heart.

8. He already has Case's toys bought for his 6th birthday (Matt is a bit of a toy collector).

9. He knows how to make Barbie dolls dance!

10. He loves Kennedy and Case more and more everyday, and I know that he would give his life for them, without a second thought!

I LOVE my life!!!!

Being Productive

Honestly, most summers, I am L-A-Z-Y!!! But, this summer I made up my mind that we were going to be productive--as in all teeth are brushed by 8:00 (we usually get up around 6 am) and we are outside playing by 9 (often earlier). Sometimes I take the kids across the street to let them swim at our sweet, sweet, sweet neighbors' house. We usually play on the swingset, walk around the house a few times (Case's new favorite thing; not sure why), and then go for a walk (at least a mile, sometimes two).

We went to Baskin Robbin, and Case did get some chocolate ice cream in his mouth. The people there were cracking up at him. He had to eat his ice cream with the tiny sample size spoon.

A lot of Kennedy's time is spent terrorizing Case with this big ball.

We went to Bridge Street one day, but Case wasn't too keen on the sprinklers. Maybe next time!

Around 10:30 we go in for a snack and to COOL DOWN. Case watches an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse while I do the dishes or straighten up his toys for the third time that day. Kennedy helps me with this if I force her. They eat lunch, and then he takes a nap around 12:30 for a couple of hours. I LOVE his nap time. I was never so stringent on Kennedy's nap time, but with two kids (one of whom is a wild man), I need his nap as much as he does. :) While he naps, I do a workout video (YAY ME!!!) and spend time with Kennedy. She and I have been working on lots of school related activities, and she learned to tie shoes. We have not even bothered with that until now--we just kept buying bungee cord New Balances. Kennedy is super excited about getting shoes with laces for second grade!!! Now she just has to learn to ride her bike. Seriously, she has ZERO interest in learning to ride her bike. I am baffled. My brother taught me to ride a bike in a matter of a few hours, but I was so eager. Maybe it's because I had older siblings that I wanted to chase. We'll keep working on that... We usually go back outside each day around six to play on the swingset, walk around the house, and take a walk through the neighborhood. I have been pretty good about making dinner, but the house is a mess, which is stressing Matt and me out. We are getting started on home improvement projects, and stuff is everywhere. Hopefully everything will be finished by the end of July, in time for a new school year at a new school that will be housed in my current school for a semester. Confusing, huh?

And in case you're wondering, there is one thing I have NOT been productive with this summer???? THIS BLOG. I'll try to do better.