Monday, June 4, 2012

The 11th Day...

So, here I sit on the 11th day of summer break.  I am still adjusting to having all four kiddos home and trying to break the cycle of staying up far too late and sleeping in far too long.  I know it will only come back to bite me when school starts again. ;)

The kids aren't bored yet!! Hooray! We had company the first weekend and they spent the entire day playing outside on a giant blow up water slide--thanks to our friends for bringing over! We ate yummy burgers and hot dogs and ended the day with a campfire and s'mores.  Everyone slept great that night.

This past weekend was less fun for the kids...there were chores to be done and well...they're not big into chores. HA!  However, it needed to be done and now that it is, we can all breathe a little easier.  Okay, maybe not all of us, but I know the hubs and I sure can!  The flower beds were long overdue for a major weeding and the weather was perfect for it.

Today will be the first day of summer school.  What's that you say?  You didn't know the kids had summer school this year?  Well, yes, yes they do.  Not traditional summer school, but summer home school.  I know, I know, I'm the Meanest Mom Ever, but they need to stay on top of some subjects so they aren't overwhelmed when school starts back up.  Besides, I won't be making them cover all of the subjects, just the ones they struggle with a little.

Well, I have a little girl who is 'really hungry...really hungry!' so I will end this here.  I hope your summer break is going well!!

Until next time...

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Summer

It's that time of year again, when the kids are just itching to get out of school and there's just one. more. day. left. and they swear they can't make it and here I sit on the cusp of chaos. 

I know having all of my kids home for the summer will be a shock to my system.  I know it will be loud and they will fight and they will be bored and the house will be a mess.  I would be lying if I said I was prepared.  However, prepared or not, it's coming.

The past couple of weeks have been busier than the norm and quite emotional too.  The Babies graduated Kindergarten and the Oldest, Fifth Grade.  The Middle, he's been accepted into an EL program and will be leaving his school behind as well and is having second thoughts about signing that form...sigh.

It's going to be a Big year for all of them next year.  Longer days for the Babies, much more challenging work for the Middle and the Oldest, on top of new classmates and unfamiliar surroundings...I hope it's not too much. So it's important to me to make this summer easy and carefree.  However, I still must be The Mom and make sure that the Oldest doesn't fall behind in math and that the Middle goes outside to play and doesn't just spend his entire summer reading (sounds heavenly doesn't it?) and that the Babies play nicely and get in a little First Grade prep as well and that we throw in some creative fun in there somewhere. We have no big travel plans this summer and the kids are bummed that we won't be driving to California again this year (as am I) but it is my hope that we fill the days with fun things to do and a few road trips are in the works so I think they'll survive.

I guess that's what this post is for.  I am hoping that by posting this that it will help to keep me accountable and that I will be reminded to have fun, be carefree, get out of the house and take pics along the way that I can share here.  Yeah, that sounds like a plan!  I think I can manage it.  Maybe. ;)

Sigh...so, tomorrow's the day.  The Last Day Of School.  The day all children cherish and parents dread (well, I'm sure there are some that love it--but I'm scared! HA!).  The Official start to summer starts at exactly 3:31 tomorrow and my kids will probably be happy/relieved/exited/sad and I wouldn't be surprised if we all spend time shedding some tears. I am excited and wary and not ready for the wave of emotions that will come springing forth from all of them tomorrow.  I pray that I have what it takes to comfort them and cheer them up as I wipe the inevitable tears from their eyes, my kids, they're an emotional lot.  I also pray that this summer is full of fun and laughter, smiles and splashing, camping and art, reading and playing, campfires and friends, road trips and sleepovers, and everything my kids need to make wonderful memories.

Countdown begins now...T minus 28 hours and 25 minutes to SUMMER!!!!

Bring it on!