How to Kick off summer right - Lot of Sun, Sugar, & Water

Now that our summer sitter is here to stay (at least until #7 comes), school is out and summer feels a bit more official. If fun was measured in wet clothes, pounds of sugar and square inches of sunburns then we definitely kicked off summer 2021 right. 

First popsicle of the summer

Lady C with her supposed to be popsicle but came back with an Hair-head. All the eyerolls and no more unaccompanied snack bar trips. 

To recap the last week of school (which I underestimated with the amount of crazy - as I thought the two weeks prior were going to be crazy) 

Last day of school pic

First day of school pic just because

Tuesday - swim practice

Wednesday - summer swim practice that got rained out and end of year school party that didn't get rained out. Insert ALL the wet clothes and fun times on the bouncy houses without mom checking in because she couldn't bear the thought of all the wet and dirt and grass coupled with hot dogs and Icee Pops. I won the cool mom of the month award for not nixing it because EVERYONE knew I wanted to

Thursday - E's voice recital followed by skillet cookies because I would have been terrified singing in front of 75 people. Weekly voice lessons were a success!

Friday - end of year swim team party and free play in pool. Tacos, chips, cheese, cupcakes and more water. Another night of fun especially for the big girls

Saturday - Open Water swim meet. Never been to one. It was pretty stinking cool and crazy and terrifying at the same time. We drove 2 hours to the meet. E swam the 2K - that would be 2000 meters, in a lake. Imagine a lake with three buoys in it spaced about 333 meters apart. Then insert 50 or so kids and send them out to swim two laps around the buoys. Its worth noting the 13-14s swam 3K and the 15 and ups swam 5K and the really really brave swimmers swam 5K then 3K then 2K!

The brave 2Kers 

E finished in about 40 minutes which I think was pretty good for her first open water meet. She claims she'd do it again. I was more nervous about her not finishing and the 2 hr trip being for nought. 

This was the start of the 2K. E was in the first wave of swimmer because her coach (thankfully) submitted a time for her so there wasn't as much traffic as a few of the other waves. 

The specks are the swimmers. It was really hard to pick out who was who but their coach was able to spot them from a distance - because she's the best. 

A, C and J were dragged along for the trip. I can't say I'd have them come again because it was really hot by the end of it. J had fun cheering GO GO GO and eating unlimited snacks. 

Just some perspective... having kids brave enough to even attempt the swim made me super proud. 

Then R and M were up for the 800 M 

M was reluctant to do it in the first place but was less than a minute off from 8th place medal. 

R said she was really scared but was glad she didn't have to raise her hand for one of the boats to pick her up! Same girl! Same!!!

To recap my thoughts on the open water meet. I think it is really a mind over matter. I got this. I'm going to finish. I did finish swimming a 2K or 800 so now I can basically attempt or do many other things - whether swimming related or not. All the proud for the girls and I hope it remains in the swim circuit of meets for our swimmers. 

Just to make things SUPER interesting the weekend before Lee and I decided to rent a pontoon boat on Sunday. I suppose it is one of the perks of having church on Saturday nights (but I really will be glad once we have liturgy on Sundays again). We aren't afforded much family vacation time because #poolseason and Lee isn't much of a beach guy - but he is a boat guy - we found out. 

J perched in his favorite spot

The girls couldn't get enough of the tube

C wasn't big on the lake but had a pretty good day

A hated the girls on the tube because they fell off but once he realized they were having fun he was better. He was coaxed on the tube once but not for long. 

They rode the tube as much as they possible could 

We did eventually pull them off every so often for food, drinks and sunscreen - they still ended up with burnt legs

It was a family day for the books and I can say we will definitely be doing it again before the end of the summer. 

We finally got to go for our Open Water meet treat (because we were rushing to church after the meet itself) E got Peppermint Moose Tracks, R got Chocolate and M got Play Dough. Yes I made them wear their shirt from the meet and it kept their clothes clean. All the proud for these girls. 

All the May Stuff

Well May has nearly wrapped up with all its crazy and glory - and we weren't even playing soccer which undoubtably would have added to it - thanks for trying to mask up outside... 

The eve of May started with a Friday night walk thru the park while the girls were at swim 

And was followed by an unusually long wait at CFA. We were here at 6:34 and pulled away with food at 7:11. 

We kicked off May with a trip to pick strawberries

They were probably some of the biggest and sweetest we have had in a while 

E and M dressed in strawberry colors

I did have a little sticker shock when we picked 3 buckets at $16/bucket and I tried to remember what it was last year and then I remembered its all about the experience, right? 

Of course we had strawberry ice cream before 10 am for our efforts 

And the kid who hates having her pic taken (mother's daughter) has no problem taking her own

We went back 2 weeks later for strawberries and they weren't nearly as big and plentiful as the first trip so I'm glad we went when we did

A little reno update...

We had to empty out the cubbies so the new floors could get installed. I knew it was coming but still pained me to have to unload them. I know I'm not the most organized or neatest person in the world and I'm good with that but at least in my mind there is a plan 

Everyone has a cubby to throw (but could be hung) their stuff and there is a spot for collectables (drawers), shoes (bins unders), loose stuff (bins over) and storage for art supplies and other craftish things we don't always want to see but need access to (high doors).

The cubbies were something a designer and I drew up 5+ years ago and I really appreciate them for the in-theory organization they provide. Well let's rip organization out during the craziest month of the year! For an indefinite amount of time. So we organized out of laundry baskets and shoes strewn across the garage 

Until one Friday I walked in and my cubbies were back - plus three! And while we still have not totally loaded them down because there is still painting and sanding and staining to do - they are back and give some sense of order in this crazy crazy month we live thru 

This is the big kid study /reading room. Everything seems to be coming along nicely. The tile was put in the bathroom and laundry room this week and I'm still wondering how laundry will be happening since the washer and dryer are staged in Lee's office at the present moment. 

We put hardwood in the nursery which meant J got kicked out for 3 weeks and he had a ROUGH time living in the pack and play in our room. We opted to transition him to the kid room downstairs with A and C and put a mattress down for M in the nursery. It's been a loud and wild bedtime for a week with 3 under 5 in one room. M is enjoying her solitude. 

They planted the field at the end of the street which is always big excitement - especially for A and J - who loves a truck, tractor or bussssssss. 

The girls swam in a long course meet not too far away. The difference is it is a 50 meter lap instead of a 25 yard. I watched on the video feed Friday night and could have died for the girls. Apparently M was legit shaking before she swam the 200 IM - a lap of each stroke.

This guy lost a tooth and the next day lost another. I hate when preschoolers start losing teeth - I feel like it is the first signs of turning into a bigger little kid

He also tore through his school shoes a week before school got out. The girls never have done that. So he wore tapped shoes for a day and then we trashed them and found an old pair that he hasn't completely destroyed. So much for hand me downs. 

All the end of year stuff happened which meant more than a few meals in the car - which means finding crumbs for days and getting the blower and blowing the van out every week or so to unearth things that are left behind. 

Mother's Day at preschool!

Last project of the year - ecosystem diorama

Slushy party at school for a fundraiser I help organize - the day AFTER the glucose test that I failed so J and I shared. Sidenote, I walk 15-18 miles a week so I'm pretty confident I don't have gestational diabetes. 

End of year AHG projects - shirt and cakes. 

End of year preschool program - A totally rocked it out and was on stage and didn't lose it like he did at the Christmas program 18 months prior. C was totally into the spotlight and two weeks later is still giving microphone commands to everyone who had speaking parts. 

I went to As preK party the last day of school which I have not been to for the big girls but since there were so few parties parents could go to I went and I'm glad I did. Mr Curious. 

End of year choir program that came together in only two months of singing in person. Lee went and I stayed with everyone else because there was some questionable cold/cough/allergies around the house

M had her end of year 1st grade celebration and was given the Lifesaver award. She got the most AR points and stamps for never getting her bee moved - but I'm halfway convinced she just never got caught.

End of year AHG awards. The girls earned a bunch of badges and did a little on their own so they were pleased with themselves. R is moving up to Explorer next year so she's excited for that.  

Yesterday was Field Day. Probably the best school day ever. There was lots of sugar, water, fun, sun and stories to tell. 

Pascha 2021

We made it thru Lent to Pascha! The kids have been enjoying chocolate milk from a local-ish (90 min away?) dairy. I used to keep the frig stocked with it in college. Also extra desserts and no shortage of candy and other sweets.

Holy Week was strange but leaps and bounds better than 2020. Because we are borrowing space we actually had Pascha matins and liturgy Saturday afternoon instead of Sunday morning. Such is the life of a mission church but next year we should be in our own space as the domes were placed on the roof this week.

I found these dresses last year and they didn’t disappoint. They were waaaaay longer than I imagined so I’m glad I didn’t go a size up for M. I compromised with E who’s initial dress reaction was repulsion by get her some heels to go with it. That was a curious shopping experience. For someone who doesn’t love shoe shopping (but I do love a fun pair of shoes) E was trying on 4 and 6 in peg heels - as her first pair - we agreed on a slightly smaller height wedge sandal. She was thrilled and can be caught checking them out on herself. Next time I’m sending her shoe shopping with her godmother. I found the boys shirts to coordinate with the pink print on the dresses and for bow ties from Etsy. I will say I think I’m going to have to sew (gasp) a stitch in the back of each dress because the opening in the opening is waaaaaaay more than I would have imagined. 

Probably one of the last marching girls pics because E cannot bear it. I’ve had to include her in festive dress selections and the ones we are eyeing for the next year - they are being given coordinating options so they can’t say they totally hate them (looking at you Christmas 2020).

I hid baskets this year since we were home Pascha morning. It was like Christmas in one really intense 5 minutes of screaming over new socks, chalk, frisbees, junky cereal and candy - and of course the tradition peg dolls. A and C got one and I ordered a Shining Light doll for them and J but I ordered too late - shock! I think I did a pretty good job on cereal and everyone’s favorites. Apparently they aren’t sharing boxes - except with those who have created a pact with. I can’t say I totally blame them because I see they have to share lots of things in a bigger family so I’m trying not to force this sharing and respect their favorite foods - even if they hoard it.

Also during our night prayer we start with singing Christ is Risen from the dead... which we sung (to seemingly no end at Matins and liturgy) and it’s such a fun song to sing and I really appreciate it bringing attention to liturgical season we are in and how Pascha just isn’t one day - it’s a season to celebrate just like we prepared for it during the Lenten season.

Linking up with Rosie... just because