30 June

For the love of ICE CREAM!

29 June

Summer Life.

We sat down a few months ago as a family and decided (after a little bit of eye rolling) how we were going to make the most of our summer. I truly don't throw a party when the bus comes to pick up the kids on that first day of school, I know it is easier for me b/c we are a full time two parent household. I truly enjoy the kids being home and really want to make the most of this time being present with my family because, like everything else, it will be gone before I know it. Setting a few ground rules of what will work for our family just helped make the transition all that much easier.

Here are some personal goals I have this summer:

1.) to complete my half marathon training. I'm up to 7-8 miles now for my long run. I have a sore back this week, but I have plenty of time to make it up before the race September 4th. Drink more water (with lemon).

2.) play everyday, and work on our summer to do list, get out and explore all this area has to offer.

3.) make family dinner a priority, EVERY night. Go to the farmer's market and try new HEALTHY things. Everyone eats one meal.

4.) Don't stress about summer school. Now that Bre is out for the summer I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Summer school does stink (especially for a child who hates to get up in the mornings being on a bus by 7:10-YIKES!), but there are just some things we don't get much control over and besides, stress will kill you.

5.) To go grocery shopping without the kids, I save so much money!

6.) to weed the garden every week.

7.) To go to the library, check out tons of books, read and be inspired

8.) to start the kids school albums.

9.) getting together with family and friends (should be #1)

and for the kids:

1.) no TV except movie nights. There were way too many fights about the TV and summer is WAY too short around here to be inside watching. I have to say that for the first two weeks they have been way too busy to watch and haven't even asked for Tv or iPod/iPad games.

2.) reading every day, and finishing the library reading program (Trevor 45 mins a day and Bre and Lucas 15 mins).

3.) Keeping up with school skills-1 Summer Bridge activity a day for Lucas and Trevor ,the SMASH journals, and handwriting practice and extra therapy for Bre.

4.) Lots of getting outside and going, hiking, biking, riding scooters, going to camps, playing with friends. We have a big summer list of NEW places around here we want to visit.

5.) Family dinner, no exceptions. One meal and everyone tries everything out of respect for the cook!

Documentation inspired by Ali.

28 June

And today, with the kids in camp (but I missed them!), I had a little bit of freedom for a little adventure to check out the new grocery store downtown.

27 June

Summer Fun.....

This week, all the kids are attending Farm Camp! The good thing about living where we live is that we can be at the beach in 5 minutes, the lake in 30 mins, the grocery store in 10 mins, skiing in 60 mins and the farm in 10 mins. I LOVE driving out here in the summer time, on the windy roads, past the gardens, horses and hand painted signs. This place is so peaceful, the farmers have done a ton of work to the structures since we first started camp there 4 years ago (and yes, even farmers use nail guns), it looks beautiful. The kids are having a blast, especially Trevor who gets to go all day. They do fun things like feed and play with animals, make friends and play games, tie dye shirts and make memory books, pick strawberries and vegetables, bake and cook, try new and interesting foods ("Mom, I ate a leaf!" .....yes, even my kids!), dig in dirt and go for walks to wade in the babbling brook. Good times!

26 June

The weekend.......

It was good to get out of the house after 4 days of rain.

We went to see Cars 2, it was cute, Trevor liked it "because of all the shooting and spy action"

We checked out a flea market right around the corner from us, Trevor paid $1 for a little travel checkers game and played it all weekend.

I didn't take many pictures.

We checked out a new hiking path they just made a few miles away, it was cool to explore and see a waterfall.

We started reading a Child's History of the World out loud to the kids, and they actually like it.

We visited the farmers market for the first time this year and came home with some yummy grass fed beef hamburgers, eggs, spinach, lettuce, tomatoes and organic strawberries, YUMMY!

we mowed the lawn and planted three new "beach rose" bushes on the side of the deck.

Tomorrow, Farm camp starts for all the kids and they can't wait!

25 June

Around the yard this June.....

Even with all this rain, flowers and vegetables are finally starting to bloom!

24 June

Us. Right now.

Three kids (one with a flashlight) and a Mama in a minivan heading back from Lacrosse camp. Heading over to Subway for lunch on a cold, rainy summer day.

23 June

So, I found us (Trevor and I ) and really cool project for the summer. SMASH journals. Here is the concept. When Trevor and I watched the video in May, we were really excited about the project. We're also using this book for inspiration in our writing. We have been having fun with the glue for all the little stuff and photos that go along with our summer memories. It is a little ritual that I REALLY look forward to at the end of my summer days. I especially like that he likes to share his private thoughts with me (and lets me put some on here) and it is one more thing that my boy and I can do together before he gets too old and doesn't want me around anymore. And the good parents thing, that just really brings a tear to my eye. Here's to journaling (and summer!)

22 June

Cozying it up in our new Hammock (that we got daddy for Father's day:))

21 June

pool.

ok, so on the first real day of summer vacation, we decided we needed a little pool for the backyard (hey the water parks aren't even open yet). We had built this deck years ago for that very purpose. The fresh hose water was FREEZING (and it will probably take at least 2 weeks to warm up), but ALL the kids were in it anyway (even the girl, who HATED swimming lessons for years dipped herself ,after she had stripped her clothes off HERSELF, in to the freezing water and practiced her swimming motions and then REFUSED to get out!) It was so fun to watch:) Happy First day of summer!

20 June

School Memories.....

It is amazing to see your progress. It is amazing that you had a teacher that took so much care in preserving your Kindergarten memories (b/c Kindergarten rocks!) Go Bre!

19 June

Father's Day......

A day to remember. It all started cuddles, snuggles and cards (cards with superman on the front and music inside picked out by one 4 year old boy). Then off to a race, that Father's Day 5K. Bre and Lucas ran the fun run and Trevor ran his very first 5K with his Gammie, Grampa and Cousin Sam. He ran the whole thing and we were so proud of him! Then we headed home for a brunch and an afternoon of relaxin' outdoors with a beverage, campfiring, BBQueing and playing on this gorgeous day. Right now, at the end of the day as the cooking baths and the dishes are done (with a little help from the Dad on his day "off"), He is simply sharing a golf game with his oldest boy. The thing is, is that I don't think there is a single place that he would rather be . Any child would be lucky to have him for a Dad. With my heart full of gratitude for all you do, Happy Father's day J and to all the Dads I know! I hope it was a great one:)

18 June

Summer vacation.....DAY 1

17 June

A day of lasts.....

Last Day of Kindergarten and third grade

Last Day of walking/riding bikes or battery powered tractors or riding in the car to the bus stop

Last day of making lunches.

Last day of reading the communication notebook when B gets home

Last day of use the bathroom , wash hands, watch Thomas with a cheese stick and apple juice after school

Last day of Mrs. C :( (Love her!)

Last day of organizing papers and figuring out calendars and schedules

Last day of filling out the reading sheet

Last day of one mama and one 4 year old home all day.

Last day of school for the year! We're celebrating with a special (but kid picked) dinner out and ice cream sandwiches for all the kids at the bus stop. Definitely a year of some major growing. Summer is here! Yeah!

16 June

Bre at her crazy hair day (Picture taken by Dad)......and I had so much fun planting the Blue Point Garden all afternoon with Lucas and all the elementary school children (until the thunderstorms rolled in). Tomorrow is the last day of school!

15 June

Lucas loves to sit down and read, color, and practice writing and other big kid school things. Trevor never had any interest in this at age 4, but probably b/c he didn't have a big brother and sister in school. Next year, I'm going to be the big kid in my school" Lucas says. Boy, I wish I could keep you at four forever:)

14 June

Your final project of the year, you Bald Eagle research project complete with clay model and background. We're so proud of you Trevor!

13 June

my favorite summer drink...... lemonade with citrus slices.

12 June

Another dreary rainy COLD weekend for June in these parts, but we managed to make the most of it . We had 2 lacrosse games (which thankfully ended before the rain!), visited with grandparents, made waffles, made homemade teacher thank you notes, went glow-bowling and baked some homemade brownies. We were hoping to make the old port festival (which I've always wanted to go to and the bands line up this year was great) and have our family photos done, but weather just didn't hold out. To the festival next year....

11 June

You.

are training to run your very first 5K on June 19th. So far we are up to two miles running together, listening to our iPods. I'm loving spending this time with you.