Today was a good day

Today felt like one of the more relaxing days I’ve had in a long time. I got to sleep in. Clair and I made scrambled eggs together for breakfast. She wants to learn to cook. I enjoyed my coffee over a game of chess with Max where he almost beat me, but I managed to hold it in the end. Then we all did chores for about an hour before friends came over to swim.

Robert, Colleen, Peter, Luca, and Cecelia all came over for a swim with us this afternoon. It was gorgeous outside. It was just 78 with a nice breeze and sun. The pool was perfect. The kids all got along quite well and enjoyed each other‘s company as did the adults. 

I made fresh vegetables, fruit, cheese, crackers, and peanut butter sandwiches for everybody to enjoy for a late lunch. The kids enjoyed playing around the yard after lunch as well. Our kids were tired when they left. Ellie continued to swim for a bit and David and I sat out there and had a drink by the pool in our new chaise lounge is watching her swim. Then she ended up FaceTime in granny for a nice chat. Everybody said hi to granny.

I made dinner which was delicious. We had ribeye. And we watched a fun family movie. Everybody got showers and finally got to bed around 930 or so. It was really relaxing, and now I’m off to bed. I just wanted to write this blog down in hopes of remembering days like these. These are the good days. And I am so grateful for them. I love being a mom and I need to do a better job of slowing down and enjoying it more often.

A good night by the pool

Yesterday evening we decided to have a family night by the pool. Gramma, G, and Erika came to hang out. The kids all played nicely in the pool for a while. Then we had an assortment of fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, cheeses, meats, breads and crackers for dinner out by the pool. There was wine. There was music playing. It was nice hanging out and relaxing. After dinner I even got in the pool and played a game a horse with the kids. Ellie ended up winning. We’ve been enjoying our games up in the pool this summer. 

Summer staycation

I decided to take a week off this summer to enjoy some summer activities with the kids that we can’t enjoy while I’m working. It has been a fun packed and busy week. 

It started on Saturday with a Yes Day! The kids actually did really well with yesterday. We establish some ground rules and planning the day so that everybody got some thing they wanted within the day. There was a little bit of pushing for a lot of junk food but other than that I probably would’ve let them do everything they had asked for in one day. The day included adventure Park USA, junk food for lunch, build a bear in Columbia mall, junk food snack, home for junk food dinner and a movie. It was all followed up with a big make your own sundae bar where I was not allowed to limit them. 

Sunday was a bit of a normal day. 

Monday we had a girls spa day followed by shopping and dinner out. The boys shotguns and launch rockets and got burgers out.

Tuesday, we went to Hersheypark. My mom came to. It was a really nice day. It was nice to spend the day with my mom.

Wednesday started with Clair having a play date. Then we went to an open ice-skating event which Max had really wanted to do. During the evening time they went back to skating for their final lesson of the summer. And I spent a lot of time cleaning the house and getting ready for guests that are arriving on Thursday. The kids also helped out a lot too.

Clairs first pedicure. She watched everything they did. 

Ellie choose to have her nails painted black. 

Thursday we were able to relax in the morning and play some games. In the afternoon we get some swimming time in just me and the kids. Finally our friends arrived from North Carolina to hang out for the weekend. We hung out a little bit at the house and then the adults went into town for a really nice dinner. Ellie babysat everybody and did an excellent job. 

Friday we all went to the bottom where national aquarium for the morning and we followed that adventure up with eating out in downtown. We then came home to hang out for the afternoon which included some swimming and late night tacos. Everybody was exhausted by Friday night.

Saturday morning our friends got up to head north and continue their journey. We headed to church to see a wonderful showing of the play the Wizard of Oz. The church production was really excellent.

Saturday and Sunday were a bit relaxing. We did some yardwork. We did lots of swimming as a family. We got to see Erika and grandma. Sunday the kids did their lemonade stand which Clair has been wanting to do for a very long time. 

I wrapped my staycation up by watching the last two episodes of army wives. I really enjoyed that series. I need a new series. Today was back to the grind and I am exhausted and off the bed. I’m thankful for the staycation time with the kids and friends and David.

The wish to play with Pokémon

For the last two hours I’ve listen to Clair go on and on about the desire to be able to lucidly dream in her sleep tonight. Her excitement is untamable. She giggles in between statements. Statements alternate between how to do it and what she will dream about. She wants to hold and feel the Pokémon she dreams about. It’s adorable!

She’s ready for her lucid dreams tonight! Here’s hoping. 

Birthday Bash

Today’s party for Max and Clair went very well. It started out with a little bit of rain and we were worried would happen. But the rain passed, and while it rained thankfully there was no thunder, so the kids swim. The adults hung out under the umbrella and chatted.

It was about a three hour party. It was a lot of swimming. There was a shark piñata. There was decorating your piñata bags. And there was playing with water toys. There were also plenty of junk food snacks and two types of cupcakes. Max and Clair each got to invite three friends. My mom dad and Tyler came. A couple moms hung out which I was really grateful for. And Robert and Colleen came with the kids. It was a really great mix.

Everybody got at least one attempt to hit the piñata. That shark lasted a long time because when he busted out but only a little bit of candy would fall out. That meant they kept getting a chance to hit it.  

Preparing for the birthday bash

Tomorrow we celebrate Max and Clair’s Birthday with a joint birthday pool party in the afternoon. The kids are looking forward to it. 

Today I had three great helpers. I had a really bad ans busy workday. I asked Ellie to help with the cupcakes and she made two full batches for us. She even made icing and decorated the rainbow cake. She’s a great baker ans really helpful in the kitchen. 

After dinner Max and Clair helped by cleaning up and preparing the shark piñata. They both stayed the course and did all that we needed. 

I was so grateful for all the help they put in ans that they all did it with joy and happiness in their hearts. It was awesome. 

The school year comes to an end

Today was the last day of school. Ellie completed seventh grade, Max completed fifth grade and elementary school, and Clair completed second grade.

As is typical, they are all feeling good about having completed the school year and looking forward to their summer break. The younger two asked me to promise I wouldn’t wake them up in the morning so they could sleep in. We are definitely night time people not morning people. Although, in reality, Max really isn’t. He likes to go to bed early and get up early.

This summer will be the first summer without a nanny. I am going to try working from home and keeping them somewhat productive. Summertime break is only eight weeks long this year. This is a result of the shift in the way they’re doing the school seasons. It’s a shame.

Each child did well this year. Each faces their own challenges. The changing covid schedules was painful. Clair wanted to go back to school all year long. Max was mixed but once he got there he really enjoyed being back in person. Ellie wanted to stay home. She loves virtual school because she could sleep in and stay in her little world. All return to school full time this fall. 

There was talk of them getting a yes day if they all got straight As in Q4. Unfortunately, max got one B so they missed it. That was, however, how absolute best effort with grades I’ve seen. So David and I do need to talk about this. 

Final noteworthy discussion is the fact that Max completed his elementary school career in a rather unceremonious way. I really wish that the school would’ve done something to celebrate these kids. He received his congratulations you graduated from fifth grade certificate in an envelope with his report card. There was a little cheering on the playground when they walked outside. But that was it. Miss Lisa gathered a small group for some pictures.

Last day of school pictures here.