The end of another July

As relaxed and laid back as June felt, July felt equally speedy.  In just twelve days, Andrew will be back at work and the kids will begin the following Monday.  While I am kind of ready for a routine and definitely ready for some quiet alone time, I am not ready for the rigorous routine that the fall will bring.  In addition to the craziness of last year, we will now have Robert's work schedule to work around as well.  I don't look forward to him getting off work at 10:00 in the evening on school nights, but there will undoubtedly be some of those.  We will make it all work. 

Catherine decided not to run cross country this fall.  She simply refused to run during the school year, and when pressed she announced that she didn't enjoy running the distance.  She enjoyed track, but not this.  I announced that if she didn't enjoy it then it seemed ridiculous for me to pay $100 for her to participate, and she informed us it was about being with her friends.  I pointed out to her that there were many after school activities that are FREE with which she could be involved that would allow her to still spend time with friends, and I also pointed out that because her best friend (who happens to live right here in the neighborhood) didn't run cross country, they pretty much never saw each other last fall.  Ultimately the decision was hers, and she decided not to run.

We are hosting a family reunion on Sunday...lots to get done!

Living amongst the wildlife

I am not sure that I am really cut out to live in the woods.  I have seen several raccoons this summer trying to eat the outdoor cats' food.  Robert, Thomas, and our dear friend Madelyn also told me about the skunk that was in our back yard one evening when Andrew and I were out to dinner.  We currently have fruit flies thanks to some bananas I had forgotten about, and we have the tiny sugar ants on a daily basis.  So regularly in fact, that we basically have just come to accept that nothing seems to work and they live here.  We've had a frog visit our back patio.  We've also had a flying ant infestation this summer for some unknown reason (and yes, I am certain they are NOT termites) and frankly, I am just absolutely sick of it all!!!!!  I was beginning to think that I am REALLY not cut out to live amongst the wildlife, but nearly two weeks ago an incident changed my mind.  Robert was in Detroit on a church trip, and Andrew had taken the other two to go visit his parents.  It was around dinner time, and I happened to look out into the back yard, and there was a doe and her baby.  It was so awesome!  I ran to get the camera, but they were more interested in getting into the woods, where I'm sure they felt it was safer.  They are such beautiful creatures!

One night away

Several weeks ago, some friends of ours from our former town suggested we take a night and get away together.  Since it was only one night it would have to be close, and they even agreed to cash in points they had earned in order to help pay for our room.  The 24-hour window they chose even meshed with our schedule!  We made arrangements for my cousin's fiance (who lives here in town) to stay overnight with the kids, and my mom was willing to be a back up in case she had to work during part of the time.  Every thing worked out perfectly though, and Sunday afternoon (right after the band buses pulled away) we were on the road for our hour drive.  Honestly, the timing could not have been more perfect!  It has been forever since we've laughed that much, and all-in-all, it was just great to get away.  We came home yesterday afternoon, retrieved the younger two from my aunt's house (my cousin had taken them there to swim), picked Robert up from work, and then had no where to be for the rest of the day.  It was nice to just relax and enjoy the rest of the day before we start gearing up for a family reunion we are hosting this week!

One of those things your mind forgets so you are willing to do it again

On Sunday afternoon, nearly 80 high school students loaded three buses and headed south to band camp.  The week leading up to that, well, GRRRR.  I had forgotten from the previous summer how crazy the week leading up to camp had been for me, and because of that I agreed to some additional responsibilities making it even crazier!  I got to the point that I was actually counting down the hours until the kids were on their way.  I am so very grateful that  is done for another year!

Our Most Improved Swimmer

Last evening was the year end banquet for the summer swim team.  I wasn't able to be there because it was also the family potluck picnic for the marching band, so it was an evening of divide and conquer.  Andrew went with the younger two, and shortly after I arrived home I received a text that Catherine had been named "Most Improved Swimmer" for her age group!  I was so excited and so proud of her!  She was especially determined the last couple of weeks, and the head coach told Andrew last evening that she was a unanimous decision...the coaches didn't even discuss anyone else.  We are so excited for her, and very proud!

Wisdom teeth gone

Robert had his wisdom teeth removed Monday.  Overall it went well, although I don't think he was prepared for the discomfort he would feel.  He has not been in a great deal of pain, but he's pretty much been uncomfortable ever since.  He's not bouncing back as he wanted to, but overall it wasn't a horrible experience.  One down, two to go!

Summer swim season wrap up

We have been BUSY around here...and I'm ready for it to slow down.  Seeing as how school starts in about three weeks, that probably isn't going to happen though.

This week brought the end of swim season.  Our league allows everyone to participate in the championships as long as they participated in at least two meets during the season.  Both Catherine and Thomas wanted to do this, so we signed them up.  The week prior, Catherine had cut 26 seconds off the time for one of her strokes, and we knew they were heading in to championships swimming as well as they ever had.  They were each entered in three events, and in their final swim meet of the season, they each had an event where they managed to beat someone.  In fact, Catherine managed to win her heat in her final event.  It was the "JV" heat so it was against other traditionally slow swimmers, but she got to touch the wall before anyone else in the pool.  What a great way to finish the season!

Loving Legos

Thomas's birthday gift the last two years is a trip to the Lego Store.  It's pretty much nirvana for him!  We never make it anywhere near his actual birthday, and this year I completely messed up the day that we went and it turned out there was no Lego Store at the mall we had driven to...but we finally made it this week!  To make it even better, the mall was having a display of Americana Lego...ten American monuments/buildings all made out of Lego.  Between loving Legos in our house and being Social Studies geeks, it was right up our alley!  Thomas would tell you it was the best day he's had in a long time...seeing the display, shopping at the store, and lunch out!

Weekends in the summer

Last weekend was really a lot of fun in our house...one of the most fun of the summer!

Friday evening began with friends coming from our former town and bringing their girls to hang out with out kids.  It was so great to be able to laugh and just hang out like old times...it was really good to laugh that much!  Saturday, Andrew took Robert and Catherine to visit with friends for a cookout, and I took Thomas to his former scout leader's house where Robert and the older two met us later.  It was another fabulously fun evening with great people, and just reinforces Andrew's feelings that we are moving back when Thomas finishes school.

Sunday was my aunt's annual pool party.  Everyone was there who was invited, but due to some fighting within the family, that still isn't everyone.  It also isn't the same because the kids are just older, but it's still nice to get together.  We followed that day with an evening out at the fire pit where there was some marshmallow roasting and just hanging out...another fun family evening!

This weekend Andrew has taken Catherine and Thomas to visit his parents, and Robert is at a church gathering for the weekend.  I have plans to scrapbook, clean, and just kind of "be" this weekend.  We love our summer weekends!

Chipping away at the time

This week has brought two swim meets.  This is the first time our family has had two meets in one week.  Unfortunately, due to other commitments, I had to miss 95% of Tuesday's meet.  I did arrive in time for Catherine's last event though, and saw her not come in last!  I know for some families that isn't much of a goal, but after watching Catherine and Thomas finish their races about 30 seconds after everyone else, this was HUGE!!!!  She had knocked 12 seconds off her time and we were so excited for her!  Last evening, she knocked another 14 seconds off...26 seconds just this week!  It has been a great experience for both kids, and the improvements have been astounding.  Last evening Thomas had the opportunity to not be the last one and he was pleased with himself too.  The sportsmanship my kids have shown have really made me proud.  They've never given up even when it looked like they were awful, they've cheered for their teammates, and even in celebrating their accomplishments, they've been humble.  It has been a great season, with only one more week to go!

Such a fun evening

I'm sorry for the quiet blog lately.  Trust me when I tell you it has been because we are enjoying our summer!

Monday evening was a particularly fun evening.  Cincinnati was hosting this year's MLB All-Star game, which also meant they were hosting the home run derby.  The kids had swim practice that evening, but I stayed home.  Andrew took them and picked them up, but otherwise was home with me watching.  Robert was even enjoying watching it with me, and when Catherine and Thomas returned home from swim practice, we all watched together.  We loved the format, and obviously were VERY excited that our hometown here, Todd Frazier, won the entire thing.  We had a blast!

Even more fun was watching the celebrity & legends softball game afterwards.  I loved that Aaron Boone, Paul O'Neill, Ozzie Smith, Sean Casey, and many others I've watched play the game were involved.  The kids loved that they knew the celebrities, and the commentary by Snoop Dog was actually comical!  I loved how much laughter came from our house that evening.  Andrew and I kept commenting on how awesome it was, and how much enjoyed sharing it with the kids!

**I know that last night was the game itself, but the kids had a swim meet and I had two meetings to attend.  We actually broke out a VCR tape (we don't own a DVR) and taped the pregame so that I could watch it later.  I can't wait!

Our lives these days

Life continues to roll right along this summer.  I am so grateful not to have to be worrying about life with a sick parent in my hometown...I am so grateful that I can focus on our happenings here!

Thomas is doing really well (knock on wood) recovering from the rash.  Monday was still a pretty rough day for him, but yesterday he woke up feeling (and looking) much better.  We've probably been a little too overprotective in keeping him around the house, but he's just had kind of a rough summer.

Robert's work schedule really keeps us on task.  He's been working four days a week, and usually works right in the middle of the day.  It's a little bit of a pain in the sense that we can't go and do anything as a family, but I'm grateful that he's getting the hours.  We are looking forward to the day when he'll have his license and be able to drive himself, but we still aren't very close to that in terms of trusting his decisions...but we are getting there!

My volunteer "gig" is about to kick into high gear for the rest of July.  I don't mind terribly because for the most part I can be flexible and do it as I get around to it, and this way I know it's all being done correctly.

The rain has been an absolute pain in the rear lately.  It's playing havoc with things we wanted done around the house and need to do outside, but again, those things will fall into place.

Yesterday was the half way point of summer for the kids. Overall, we've enjoyed ourselves, for the most part!

A fabulous weekend...and then not so much

Andrew and I loved every minute of our alone time last evening.  We just hung out and chatted, and knew that we were going to sleep well not having to worry about kids...although apparently I should've been worrying!  Robert called this morning from my mom's house and said that Thomas was having trouble breathing, but there didn't seem to be wheezing at that point.  I wasn't overly concerned as he is a pretty dramatic child.  My mom mentioned he had coughed a lot, and I said we'd be there at our normal time and bring the inhaler.  My mom then called back about five minutes later and said she noticed some bumps.  I said we'd get there as soon as we could, but it's a 75 minute drive so I could only do what I could do.  My sister called with about 30 minutes left in the drive to see how much longer, and then my mother called about 15 minutes again to say he was not only wheezing but there was whistling.  She asked if she needed to get him  to an e/r, and I assured her that he'd be fine as soon as I could get there with the inhaler.

As I walked in, I immediately understood my mom's concern.  I had never seen Thomas like this.  He was making noises I'd never heard and was clearly in distress...and the few little red bumps had become an all out rash.  I was going to take the older two to my grandmother's while we took Thomas to an e/r, but Mom wanted to cancel her plans and keep Robert and Catherine with her.  Our (fortunately very brief) trip to the e/r determined that Thomas was indeed in distress with the breathing, and it was the antibiotic from last week's double ear infection which was causing the allergic reaction.  He had two breathing treatments at the e/r, along with some Benadryl and Prednisone, and we are back home this evening.  I am so grateful to be home with my kids.  I feel blessed to have mostly healthy kids!

A lovely, quiet Saturday morning

Last evening the temps around here were in the upper 50's, so waking up this morning to cool sunshine was absolutely beautiful.  Andrew and I are the only ones up at this point, and I'm not surprised at all...and very grateful.

In our old town, the Independence Day parade was always on the 4th...which makes complete sense.  This town, the parade was Thursday evening.  I have no idea why, but for this morning I am very happy.  The fireworks were last night so it was pretty late before everyone tumbled into bed, and I'm glad that they not only have the opportunity to sleep in, but are doing so.

The fireworks last evening were fun.  I am glad that I made the decision to go (festivals and large crowds are not my idea of fun).  It is always enjoyable to spend the time together as a family!

Our plans for the holiday weekend

I am so grateful that Robert doesn't have to work this weekend!  We have some fun plans for our family.  Tomorrow evening is our town fireworks and a little festival at the park beforehand.  I didn't get to go last year because I was staying with my mom, so I am looking forward to checking it out.  Saturday, my mom asked if she could have the kids overnight.  My sister's law firm throws a big party on the 4th capped off in the evening by fireworks.  Andrew and I aren't interested in attending because we are just tired (all the time...we are the parents of three teens) but Mom didn't want to be by herself and thought the kids would enjoy it...I agree!  And I am certain that Andrew and I will enjoy a quiet evening at home!  She is meeting us half way on Saturday evening, we'll have dinner, and then get to be home.  Sunday we will pick them up because she needs to attend a funeral visitation, and then we will swing by and visit my grandmother.  It sounds like a perfect weekend...some fun things to do, but plenty of relaxation as well!

The month of motivation

July has arrived.  Robert commented this morning that he couldn't believe it was July already.  I'll admit, for the most part I enjoyed June...mostly because I knew that as long as we were still in June, we had a good deal of summer left!

I am hoping that this month holds a great deal of motivation for me.  On August 2, we are hosting a family reunion for my mom's side of the family.  If everyone comes, there will be nearly 30 people here.  None of my cousins have seen my house, and I'm not entirely sure how many will make the drive down here...but I am hoping most!  I realize it may be years (and perhaps never) before most of them see my house again, so I am hoping that I can have a lot of things around the house, in terms of improvement projects, completed before they get here.  This means making some decisions, and we all know I'm not so good at that when it comes to my house!  Hoping my motivation kicks in some decision making as well!