Relaxing family evening

Today Max had a soccer game and I did the grocery shopping. During the afternoon I played a game with Clair and then we watched the VT football game on TV. Finally I mowed the lawn and made dinner. We had a nice family dinner pork chops, potatoes, and beans. We had some good talks looking forward to our vacation next week.

After dinner we all went out and enjoyed the pool. I had heated it up significantly and it was wonderful. Everybody floated around for over an hour. We played a little basketball. We did a little swimming. We did some talking. Ellie even told me she liked talking to me in the pool. That melted my heart. It was a wonderful fall evening at home. 

Clair’s first First Aid Kit

Today Clair had her first Girl Scout troop meeting of the year. She was happy to have it but wasn’t overly excited about it either. I took Ellie to softball and David took her to her meeting. When I got home, I was met by a super excited girl and she told me that they made first aid kits at Girl Scouts today.

There was a storm coming so I told everybody to quickly get their showers and that she could show me her first aid kit after the showers were done. Later, I asked her to get her first aid kit and she proudly collected it and came into my bedroom to show me all the goodies. I have never seen someone so excited about a first aid kit. She went on about it until she went to bed. She showed me everything in her kit. She asked me about what was missing that we could add to her kit. She went through scenario after scenario on Ways that she could use her kid to help patch people up when they got hurt.

She kept telling me how lucky she was. She even recalled that this would go nice with her doctors kit that she has.

As we were coming upstairs to go to bed she was still excited about her kit. She asked me, “mommy when did you get your first first aid kit?“ I honestly have no idea when I got my first first aid kit but I assume there was one of my first car so I told her that. She proceeded to say aren’t I lucky I got 1/2 a lifetime earlier than you did. Then she giggled with joy and excitement!

I love the joy that this exercise brought her.

Kids using the pool

It’s a good afternoon. Each kiddo has a friend over to enjoy a sunny Labor Day weekend afternoon in the pool. I love that the pool brings them joy as siblings and also gives them something fun to invite friends to do with them. 

I also love my lounge chairs and watching them from it. 

The night before school

This summer has flown by. Tomorrow Eli starts eighth grade, Max starts sixth grade, and Claire starts third grade. They all actually went to bed quite excited for where they are and where they’re going. Clair has been anxiously awaiting the start of school now for weeks. She loves school and she wishes she would’ve had more time in it over her academic career. Max likes being with other people and that makes school actually a very enjoyable place for him, despite the academic aspect. Ellie doesn’t like getting up early, but she really doesn’t mind The academic aspect of school, and I think she may actually be looking forward to seeing a few of her friends more regularly. I think she’s also excited that her and her brother will be in the same school together.

The pandemic has really made school different for the kids over the past couple years. Although they are wearing masks, which I actually think is good at this stage, they are starting back full-time with regular schedules tomorrow. This will allow me to have full day at home to focus on work. It will be weird to be alone for six or seven hours each day. I will miss them, and I know it is great for them to be heading off to school tomorrow.

Over the past week we’ve been to the middle school and the elementary school to check out classrooms and walk the schools. Max walked his schedule three times at the middle school. Max is really excited about school, and he’s a little nervous too. He had some good questions tonight and spent a good amount of time making sure he was ready for the day tomorrow. I have a lot of confidence in the way he is willing to talk to adults and ask for the help that he needs. I have encouraged him to remember that if he feels lost or confused tomorrow just use his good manners and ask the nearest adult. I am proud of the way Max takes on the world and is willing to communicate with others quite openly.

Clair knew exactly how to find her classroom at the elementary school. Clair was excited to look around the room and see who was in her class. She is very happy to have the friends she knows in her class with her this year. She didn’t get the teacher she was hoping for, but we’ve decided it’s going to be a great year anyway.

As for my eldest, I cannot believe she is already in eighth grade. I wish for her a wonderful year. I wish for her academic success and friendship success. She has very much developed a sense of her own style. She is a wonderful girl with a big heart. She is taking responsibility for herself. She helped out around the house the summer a lot for David and I. I am proud of her. I can’t believe she only has five years left before heading off to college. That just doesn’t seem possible.

As they say, sometimes the days are long but the years flyby. I have always wanted to be a mom and I love being a mom. They do challenge my patience, and I wish I had more patience to show them. That will forever be a work in progress. I hope they always know that I love them with all my heart. Fly my kiddos and enjoy the school year!

This evening we stopped by a park on our way home from running a few errands. The kids really enjoyed playing there and I enjoyed snapping a few pictures.

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.