Soaking up summer

We have just been soaking up summer around here.

Our days have been filled with..
Playing in the water
Eating outside
Digging in the dirt
Eating and picking LOTS of berries
Walks around the neighborhood
Trying new home cooked dished (and many old favorites)
Cooking outside
Cleaning up after out family meals together
Many trips to the library
Canning summer favorites to enjoy this winter
Trips to the park and friends houses
Daydreams of our soon coming camping trip.
We are truly enjoying our summer.

Playing in the park

Our fall summer weather here has been very fall like. It has been very cloudy in the mornings and as the day goes on the sun eventually comes out and so does the wind.
So our family have been spending many evenings up at the school.

 The hubby is back on a kite trip. He has been thinking about kites night and day since we got back from the ocean. So this weather has been nice since he has be able to get out and fly as long as as it is not raining.

 The littles have fun exploring the playground at the school.

 It is just amazing that in just a short year the little man will be going to school here. *sigh*

 During this trip to the park the little lady decided that the bridge was not scary and spent most of the time running across it.

It just bring such a big smile to my face to watch my children play together and do fun, spontaneous things as a family.

Exploring

Just a short stroll away from our camp site was a river that we decided to go exploring in.

At this spots the water was nice and calm. There was a wonderful large beach and bank to play on and we had the whole area to ourselves.

The littles were able to explore.
The little man had fun playing in a large hole that he called the 'baseball field'.

He also explored the water looking for fish and whatever else he could find.

The little lady spent most of her time exploring the sand.

Until she did this.

And I threw down the camera (the hubby picked it up) and I made this face.

And she made this face.

And of course she got very sad that I tried to take the sand from her mouth.

As soon as I got as much sand as I could out of her mouth she was shoveling handfuls of it back in there.

Yuck!

There is no way that sand tastes good.

Hopefully by the next time we make it down to the river she will learn that sand is not for eating.

Young grasshopper

As I held you in my arms today I still felt like I was holding you as my little baby. When did you get so big?


Now it is time to let you go. You are off to your first day of school. I am full of so many emotions I dont know what one to pick.


I have butterflies in my stomach for you. It not because I am scared or nervous I think that it is because you are growing up so fast and there is nothing that I can do to stop it.



I think know that this is much harder for me than it is for you.



Have fun young grasshopper. I cant wait to hear about all that you did all by yourself.

Last weekend of August

In two days August will be over and September will be here. I know that everyone reading this knows what date it is and yes, after August does come September. But I had to type it out are read it a few times so that it could really sink in for me.
So here it goes again.
In two days August will be over and September will be here.


We had a great family weekend.
We were able to spend some time enjoying the great outdoors.


We took a family boat ride out on to the lake.
The little man is a little fearless when it comes to water and this makes me a little scared. He kept trying to reach from the back seat into the water. After talking to him more than enough times he came up and sat in the middle.
I was a little amazed by how many things were growing in the lake. And to think I would swim in this lake as a kid!?! Yuck! The lily pads (or lollipops as the little man called them) have started to take up far more of the lake than they did when I was a kid.


It was so peaceful and relaxing to be out on the water. I dont think it ever crossed my mind growing up on this lake that one day I would take my family here. But here we are.

I was just looking over my to do list and boy is it long. We are headed out to go camping on Wednesday and I still need to go shopping, take the little man to the dentist, wash all the mountains of laundry, bake a few last minute items, trim both of the boys hair and so much more. With a little help from coffee, the ergo and legos I will get everything done before Wednesday.

The little lady will turn 6 months old on our camping trip. I truly cant believe it. I tried my very hardest to exclusively breastfeed her for the first six months of her life (just like the doctor ordered) but a few weeks ago I started giving her solids. (There I said it) She was more than ready a month ago but I was not. I was not ready to give up the non smelly poo and the knowing that I am the one that can provide all of the nutrition that she needs.
I almost felt like I was depriving her if I did not give her solids because she really wanted them. I was really torn between what I wanted and what she wanted and of course she won. She has been very happy with my decision.
She is still doing really well with the potty.
Today was a great day until 5:30. We were driving in the car and I heard it. That sound. So once we got home I got her all cleaned up and into the bath the rest of the night went great until I was trying to put her to bed. She was sound asleep in my arms and I went to lay her down. She was rolling around trying to get comfy when I heard it again.
So after another bath (this one was in the sink) it was time for attempt number two to get her to sleep.
I think that it must be the zucchini bread that I gave her that is causing the poo. I thought that a little piece would be ok but I guess I was wrong. Oops! I would say that I typical catch 98% of the poos. But not today.
What a way to end the great weekend.

Weekending

We had a wonderful family packed weekend.
We started it off on Friday with an amazing barbecued zucchini burger. Zucchini home grown in my mamas garden (mine has just started coming up) topped with fresh picked tomatoes and lettuce and homemade pickles thanks to a wonderful friend. Oh and how could I forget the mustard. It was amazing.
After a great dinner our family took a little walk down to the park to listen to some music. The little man was not too into the music, but I dont really blame him. He had more fun running the bases of the baseball diamond and taking pictures than dancing to the music.




*I guess she gets the bottom lip chewing from me*

On Saturday we went to the parade and picnic.


The kids had a great time watching all of the cars and people. The little man even sang the COPS theme song as the police cars drove by. We all had a good laugh.
Once the parade was over we were off back down to the park for a picnic lunch.
The little man is still a little too young to really do any of the games or activities but he still had a fun time with the other kids. They even found a worm and a very large mole whole to play in. The little lady enjoyed crawling around in the grass exploring also.

Later that night we were off to yet another park in the next town over to cuddle up under the stars and watch a movie on a very large inflatable screen.


There are just a few more weekends left in the summer so we are going to enjoy them as a family.

Beating the heat pt. 2

Sleep can be a little challenging in the heat.



I am very thankful for the AC unit that we have in our bedroom. Most nights the little man ends up in our bed also and I love it. I dont knew if it is because he is too hot in his bed or if he just wants to sleep with us.
Last night we all piled into our bed and watched a DVD on the mini DVD player.
We have been doing a lot more going to bed late and waking up late. I dont really like this habit because I know it will be hard to break. And once September rolls around it is going to have to be early nights so that the little man is up and ready to leave the house by something crazy like 8:30am.
Most mornings I am up by 7am or so but I am rarely ready to get out of the house before 10am.
Having the little man going to school will be a fun and exciting new adventure but until that adventure starts we are going to enjoy our summer and all that it brings.
*Update
The view from my computer as I type this evening (10:20pm).

Beating the heat pt. 1

These pictures really sum up what we have been up to these past few days.
It has been real hot around here. Almost a little to hot for someone like me who was born and raised in the great state of Washington. 90 degrees is really pushing it for me.
So we have been filling our days with swimming, drinking lots of iced tea/ coffee and sitting in front of fans. Noting to exciting or fast paced.
When the evening comes and the little lady is wanting to go to bed we head into our bedroom crank on the AC and pass out. There has been no time for blogging or editing pictures. It has just been to hot.
Yesterday it was nice to be able to share our house with family and friends. Thats what hot summer days are for, right?

Simple gifts

Sleep is a gift in our house.
Lately I have not been getting much of it but the littles have and I have been enjoying there naps. But I just cant stop myself from taking pictures of them as they nap.


Here is the little man napping in his place of choice, resting his head on a large pile of books with is pants on backwards. Priceless.


And the little lady napping in the rocking seat, not strapped in, with the hubbies shirt as a pillow while toys cover the floor just of the cameras view.

Those are just a few snapshots from my life. And I am loving every minute of it.

I received another gift today. An early birthday gift from my Mom and Dad. This one is just a little more tangible than peace and quiet, a bike trailer.


I am super excited. I could hardly wait for the hubby to come home so I could take it out for a spin. It hooked up to the bike really easy and I could hardly feel it back there.
The littles liked it also. The little lady even sat in there and played for a while after we were done riding. I guess it was so relaxing for her that when I took her out she just had to poo. On herself, me and the ground. So then it was bath time. She was still so relaxed that she forgot to cry while she was in the big bath tub or maybe (hopefully) she likes the big tub now.
While she was in the tub playing with her brother I was able to wash her wool soaker in the sink and relanolize it. I think that I am really starting to like wool.

This week...

Has been very busy. I thought having the little man away at VBS would give me a little more time to blog, relax and do house work (in that order), but I was wrong. I have not found time to blog since Tuesday, the sink is still full of dishes and relaxing I dont know if that will ever come.
It was a fun week even though I did not get the things done that I wanted to.
The little man enjoyed his VBS. He cried the first three days and it was only five days long. I knew that he would have fun so I left him crying. When I got there to pick him up the first day he told me he had fun. So I did not feel so bad. We went back last night for his last day performance and play time. We got there early so that he could jump in the bounce house but he did not want to. When it was time to sing he did not want to either. He just stood there.
What a stubborn boy.
He even woke up this morning singing the songs and when I asked him why he did not sing yesterday he just shrugged his shoulders.
Sometimes I wish I knew what was going through his little head, but only sometimes.
About day number two of VBS he came home with a runny nose that now the little lady has it. Maybe it is the runny nose but she has not been sleeping well at night.
The little lady has always enjoyed sleeping on her belly but lately when she rolls to her belly she then thinks she needs to push herself up. So this is what she is doing at night. This is making for some really long nights. Hopefully she gets it figured out soon. Night time is for sleeping, daytime is for playing.
I just had to move her up to her medium pocket diapers for night time. Tear. She is just growing up so fast. I only have a few so I think that I am going to venture out and try wool at night.
As for diapers during the day we are going through very few maybe three, or less. Over the past month and a half I have only changed something like a hand full of poopy diapers. This I really like.
She is still really enjoying sitting on her little potty. She has completely destroyed a plant that I had sitting on the counter next to her potty. She still does not really like the big potty though. I really think that it the sound of her pee hitting the water that she does not like. She will start to go and as soon as she hears it she stops. Sometimes she will continue going but other times she wont. This makes it hard when we are out and about. Sometimes she will hold it until we get to the little potty that in the car but other times she will just go in her diaper.
Well I guess its about time to lay this sleeping baby down and try to get some sleep. Hopefully this is a good night. My fingers are crossed.
*Sorry about the lack of pictures. I tried to upload a video but an error came up and I am much too tired to deal with it today. Maybe tomorrow.

Boys, boys, boys

The little man has two friends from church that he is super fond of. He talks about them all the time. He does not really play with them too much outside of church, but a few days ago they got together.


The little man is just a little younger and smaller than the other boys. Most of the little mans friends are older than him. I have always been a little worried that they would just boss him around but after watching him a few days ago, the worries are gone.


My little man knows how to stand his ground. I was so happy to see the leader in him come out.


These three boys have such different personalities that they are very entertaining to watch. I just sat on the side lines and watched them play. I only stepped in once when one of them thought it would be a good idea to throw rocks.
The little lady enjoyed playing in the sunshine while I watched.


And of course my kid just had to be the one that thought it would be cool to do this.

Good thing the others did not follow his example.

Staying cool

I guess summer is finally here in the great state of Washington. It is crazy that just last week it was barley reaching the 60's and now its in the 90's. WOW!!!
Here is a short list of the things we have been doing to stay cool the past two days.

1) Keeping a nice cool jar of fresh brewed ice tea around. Having the fans on helps also.


My teas of choice for the past few days have been passion and green. So refreshing. Ahh!

2) Go for a ride with the top down.


It was so nice of Grandma to come over today and take the little man for a slow ride around the col-de-sac. Thanks Grandma.

3) Take a dip in the pool.


The hubby finally opened up the pool yesterday and today the little man was brave enough to test out the very cold waters. It should warm up here over the next week if the weather stays nice and then we will all be venturing into the waters also.


The little lady enjoyed playing in the little pool.

4) Have naked time.


We are a clothing optional house but nothing really cools you off better than being naked. I had to do a little convincing to have the little man put on shorts tonight before our guests arrived and even more convincing to have him keep them on the whole time they were here.

Next weeks keep it cool plans involve more water, swimming and hopefully a trip to the movies to see Toy Story 3. What are some of your favorite things to do to stay cool in the heat?