Summer is...
WASHING THE CAR...
The little boys were napping, the big kids and I headed out to clean our van. They did pretty good on the inside. I gave them both cleaning wipes and put them to work dusting/cleaning out the garbage, while I started vacuuming. Man our car was messy! I had their attention and it went well. They little boys woke up and came outside in time to help with washing down the outside. I was pretty much the only one cleaning the outside of the car, but that is just fine! The kids had a great time in the water... and bubbles... it's all about having something to do together and having fun 'working' if possible. Mission accomplished!
THE OCCASIONAL RAINY DAY
We really have had such a great summer, there have only been a few days that we have been stuck inside, which is nice sometimes. That way I can keep the promise I made. We have been collecting those large boxes we get from BJ's, it's amazing how much is needed to package diapers, or cereal bars (there are 4 boxes total for them). We have been saving them to build a house with them. So, I busted out my tape on this rainy day and we went for it.
As you can see we didn't have enough boxes to finish, some of them died in my Owen's arms! We will continue to save and build on though, the kids have plans to paint it. It was a fun activity and it has become yet another doll house for my Q!
GOING WATER SKIING
A couple of weeks ago the C's took us water skiing. We met at Beaver Island and ate our lunch then headed out on the boat. I love boating, and am so glad the C's haven't sold their boat!!! It was great weather for Matt, overcast! It rained a little while we ate, but was good for the rest of the day. The kids loved being on the boat. G was even brave and got out on the tube w/ Syd and Mya. After they got going we realized we didn't really talk about what happened if they fell off. I don't think G even realized the life jacket is there to save his life! We didn't review any water safety! I think he'd have panicked if he found himself in the water... so, we played it safe. They all enjoyed the ride until bumps came, then they were done. I jumped out w/ Syd and we took a little ride, we had flailing legs as we went over the wakes, it was fun being out w/ her. She decided she was done as Shawn got a little more rowdy, then Molly came out w/ me. I had the time of my life! Seriously felt like I was in high school again w/ both of us on there laughing our guts out! Shawn showed no mercy and Molly got knocked off. I thought for sure my turn was coming, but Shawn went for Moll again! We both about lost our suits as we flipped off! It was good times. LOVED it! Since I was out I decided to ski. It had been a few years for me. I've been having babies! While S changed stuff out I comforted G who didn't like the screaming and flailing. He wanted me to get back on the boat. Sorry, I couldn't. He cried the whole time I skied. One miss and the next I was up. I do enjoy that feeling. I would like to get better at it, be like a Chris Culley and throw up a massive wall, but for now I just enjoy the speed, the pull, the turn, cutting back and forth, wiping out! It took me a few tries to get up again, but I skied better the second time and wiped it good! I went flying belly flop over my ski, that slammed into my knee. Ouch! It was the best crash of the day! I am still feeling my bruised knee and it's not quite the same when I run, but I hope it will get better some day!
After I was done the daddy's jumped in and swam for a bit. The water was very nice. O and Tyce got in w/ the dads and tried to keep the big guys afloat! Very funny. After they were done, we headed back to the beach. NY laws are silly, no water toys in the swimming area, no horse play, and we watched a life guard safe a boy that wasn't really drowning, although he did lose his footing. We kicked it w/ the likes of fair-attending folk, then headed home when we realized it was past dinner time. A VERY fun day, must say it was one of my favs this summer.
I'm sorry, but I've gotta say LOOK at my arms! They look awesome! This is one of the photos I'll keep in my pocket when I'm old and saggy to remind me of younger days, when my body was able.
The little boys were napping, the big kids and I headed out to clean our van. They did pretty good on the inside. I gave them both cleaning wipes and put them to work dusting/cleaning out the garbage, while I started vacuuming. Man our car was messy! I had their attention and it went well. They little boys woke up and came outside in time to help with washing down the outside. I was pretty much the only one cleaning the outside of the car, but that is just fine! The kids had a great time in the water... and bubbles... it's all about having something to do together and having fun 'working' if possible. Mission accomplished!
THE OCCASIONAL RAINY DAY
We really have had such a great summer, there have only been a few days that we have been stuck inside, which is nice sometimes. That way I can keep the promise I made. We have been collecting those large boxes we get from BJ's, it's amazing how much is needed to package diapers, or cereal bars (there are 4 boxes total for them). We have been saving them to build a house with them. So, I busted out my tape on this rainy day and we went for it.
As you can see we didn't have enough boxes to finish, some of them died in my Owen's arms! We will continue to save and build on though, the kids have plans to paint it. It was a fun activity and it has become yet another doll house for my Q!
GOING WATER SKIING
A couple of weeks ago the C's took us water skiing. We met at Beaver Island and ate our lunch then headed out on the boat. I love boating, and am so glad the C's haven't sold their boat!!! It was great weather for Matt, overcast! It rained a little while we ate, but was good for the rest of the day. The kids loved being on the boat. G was even brave and got out on the tube w/ Syd and Mya. After they got going we realized we didn't really talk about what happened if they fell off. I don't think G even realized the life jacket is there to save his life! We didn't review any water safety! I think he'd have panicked if he found himself in the water... so, we played it safe. They all enjoyed the ride until bumps came, then they were done. I jumped out w/ Syd and we took a little ride, we had flailing legs as we went over the wakes, it was fun being out w/ her. She decided she was done as Shawn got a little more rowdy, then Molly came out w/ me. I had the time of my life! Seriously felt like I was in high school again w/ both of us on there laughing our guts out! Shawn showed no mercy and Molly got knocked off. I thought for sure my turn was coming, but Shawn went for Moll again! We both about lost our suits as we flipped off! It was good times. LOVED it! Since I was out I decided to ski. It had been a few years for me. I've been having babies! While S changed stuff out I comforted G who didn't like the screaming and flailing. He wanted me to get back on the boat. Sorry, I couldn't. He cried the whole time I skied. One miss and the next I was up. I do enjoy that feeling. I would like to get better at it, be like a Chris Culley and throw up a massive wall, but for now I just enjoy the speed, the pull, the turn, cutting back and forth, wiping out! It took me a few tries to get up again, but I skied better the second time and wiped it good! I went flying belly flop over my ski, that slammed into my knee. Ouch! It was the best crash of the day! I am still feeling my bruised knee and it's not quite the same when I run, but I hope it will get better some day!
After I was done the daddy's jumped in and swam for a bit. The water was very nice. O and Tyce got in w/ the dads and tried to keep the big guys afloat! Very funny. After they were done, we headed back to the beach. NY laws are silly, no water toys in the swimming area, no horse play, and we watched a life guard safe a boy that wasn't really drowning, although he did lose his footing. We kicked it w/ the likes of fair-attending folk, then headed home when we realized it was past dinner time. A VERY fun day, must say it was one of my favs this summer.
I'm sorry, but I've gotta say LOOK at my arms! They look awesome! This is one of the photos I'll keep in my pocket when I'm old and saggy to remind me of younger days, when my body was able.