Yes, It's been a while: 4th of July

 

 

 

Ok, so I realize that I am not the best blogger in the world. It's been entirely too long again between posts, especially since the last one was our vacation at the end of last school year, and we have already started a new school year.

But, I feel like I have a minute to update our summer.

4th of July was awesome. We got to spend it at the beach as usual with some friends on the island (THANK YOU Giltmiers!) and spent the day swimming and enjoying the parade. All four kids got to enjoy the day and we had a wonderful time.

Summer FLEW by.

First Family Vacation of Summer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ah, summer vacation! It couldn't have come any quicker! Gary was able to take Brendan, Cecelia, and Teddy up to his parent's places in Buffalo the very last day of school for 6 days. It was an exciting trip, the plane ride, the wild life (mostly snakes!), mini-golf, fishing, swimming, canoeing, paddle boating, and lots and lots of quality time with the family. Ryan and I stayed back (making for a MUCH less stressful trip) while they played up north. I worked on the house while they worked on their camping skills!
Next year we may ALL make the trip, not sure where we will all sleep, especially since the four of them maxed out the lake house, but it's just too much fun to pass up.
I am fairly certain that everyone was very well entertained and enjoyed being around one another. It happens WAY too rarely, but when you live over 700 miles away, that happens.
I am so thankful that the kids were able to have this time with their grandparents. I am not sure if they have woken up from their naps that were needed after they left, but I am so greatful for the love they showered on my kids while they were there. To be able to wake up to family, run around all day in nature, break bread with family, and do it all over again the next day, well, it's priceless. I have wonderful in-laws! (which is an understatement!)
Hopefully we'll give them enough rest between visits to do it all over again! HA!

2 more months of THIS!

 

 

 

 

Ah, summer is here. I can't believe that I looked at my calendar and saw that we already have less than two months until the kids go back to school. Not that as a mother of four young children I would be anxious for such a thing!

At any rate, I feel like we are running the house like a bootcamp: keep the kids as busy and physically active until dinner time, then they FALL into bed and wake up late the next morning. This is the FIRST summer (or any season really) on record that ANY of my children have slept in past 7:30 in the morning. I actually have two children who sleep in past 8:00!! For some, this may seem like an early wake up, for me? This is the beginning of something extraordinary!

The kids are loving their summer freedoms, we have a few camps between now and school, but they are for the most part enjoying it like kids should. Lots of OUTSIDE activities, swimming, beach, more swimming, and READING! Ha! You might be able to get the old English teacher out of the school, but you'll never get the schooling out of the teacher.

My set up this summer is for every minute they read a book, they get a minute on the Wii. I have introduced Brendan to some great books, and can't wait to reap these benefits. He is reading Hatchet this summer, and he LOVES it so far. Gotta shove some classic reading in any way I can!

Teddy has his library card for the first time, and you'd have thought he won the lottery! He danced around the library telling every and anyone who would listen "MY FIRST REAL CREDIT CARD!" Here's to hoping that he becomes a lover of reading as well.

Cecelia is already a better reader than me! Now I just need to get her to be a little more disciplined about her books. (and cleaning her room, but I digress). She is into the new Judy Moody's, but I may just have to introduce her to the original Judy, Judy Blume! The Ramona Quimby series immediately takes me back to my childhood! I think I read every book ever written by her (including the butt of most pre-teen and adult jokes, Are You There God? It's Me Margaret!HA!) However, she is a wonderful author that I can't wait to share with my girl!

Alrighty! On to summer!

Grandma's Great Lake!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the best things about going to Grandma and Grandpa's lake house is that the kids completely immerse themselves in their surroundings, which DOES NOT INCLUDE TV! Wahoo! From sun-up to sun-down, the kids found wonderful ways to keep themselves occupied. Cecelia is our great fisherman, Brendan loved the paddle boat and taking in all that the lake had to offer, and Teddy, well, I am fairly certain being Grandma's shadow was a full time job!
I am not sure who got worn out first, the kids or the adults, but I do know that these will be memories that they will tell THEIR children about! Oh, and I do have the picture of a snake eating a fish, but I am chosing not to post it. EW!

A day at the Falls

 

 

 

 

 

The family ended their trip to Buffalo at one of the wonders of the world, Niagra Falls! They took in the sights, and the mist, and enjoyed some of nature's best! It was definitely one the best ways to kick off summer vacation!

Hip-Hop-erific!

 

All year Cecelia has been taking Hip Hop Dance lessons. I was excited that she had found something that she loved to do that involved a little aerobic work! (After her first soccer practice in the fall she asked if she could quit, she didn't like to sweat! UGH!)
To say that she loved this class is a bit of an understatement! She looked forward to every Wednesday, would finish her homework in seconds flat, have her dance clothes ready and on before I had to ask and was waiting at the door to go each class. They had a performance to show off all that they had learned. It was a LONG show (which is GREAT news for the dance studio owner: so many kids!) but the highlight (obviously!) was the hip hop routine. I will say, and this is not because I am a bragging mom, that their routine elicited the biggest response from the crowd! (other than the smallest kids who did their adorable ballet routine! You can't not be moved by itty-bitty's dancing!) The crowd loved the moves, and they actually did a really great job!
Cecelia is in the middle with the pink tu-tu! We have it on tape, this may just be her future wedding rehersal video...

1 Away from a whole decade!

 

 

Brendan turned NINE May 23! It was such a crazy couple of weeks at the end of the school year, that we didn't really even get to celebrate it much. WHICH was brought to my attention last night at dinner when I was asked "How come I didn't have a birthday party?"
He DID get a cake and a small shopping spree at Walmart with his birthday money, but not what he had in mind I suppose. SO! He will get a delayed special day with a friend, movie, dinner, and sleep over. Hopefully that will suffice.
I still can't believe my first born is going to the intermediate school next year. As Gary so clearly put it: He's halfway done with us. Nine more years and he goes off to college!
GULP!

Posed pictures

 

 

 

The older two had their pictures taken at school. I am fairly certain Cecelia's bow is the distant cousin of Emily's bow... Anywho! This was their official picture. Teddy's, well. We have seen this truck ALL year taking a little third grade girl to school every day. When we see it, Teddy yells "Curse you monster truck!!" And we all shake our fists at it. I have no idea how this started or even why we do it, but when we saw the truck at the school for one of Brendan's events at the school, we had to take our opportunity! Teddy saddled up next to the tires and struck his pose all on his own! He is meant to have this kind of vehicle some day.

Mother's Day Tea

 

 

 

 

I thought I had posted this, but for some reason it didn't upload! Anyway! One of the special days at Teddy's school is the Mother's Day Tea. (which is interesting, because there really isn't any tea, but a delicious sherbert punch! YUM!) This is always so nice because they all make presents for the moms. This year Teddy decorated a plate, it had our house on it. Very sweet. Teddy's little class really is just such a wonderful group of kids. I am sad that he won't be with them all next year and they will most likely be split up in different schools and classes, but the foundations of friendships will always remain. Hopefully when they are all back in the same school they will continue the fun that was had these past few years. I think Teddy will miss his little girl friends the most!!

Donuts with Dads!

 

 

 

Another cute tradition at Teddy's school: Donuts for Dads! They, more or less, do the same thing for the dads that they do for the moms. The dads even got a song this year! The thing that makes these times great is how excited the kids are to perform and do their best. It sounds silly, but their best reward is our smile and hug along with the words "You were awesome!"
A day like this wouldn't be complete without Teddy and his buddy...