First Month of Summer: A Mega-Post

The first month of summer flew by, and it's been a great summer so far.  We managed to have some fun activities, but they didn't keep us too busy.  All four kids were in swim lessons, Cat was in a small basketball camp, Jack was in a small baseball camp, and Eliza started a tumbling class. Cat also attended Girls' Camp and started training with a new soccer team.  We've been attending various library activities and local festivals, meeting up with friends, practicing piano, watching movies, staying up late, sleeping in late, going to parks, riding bikes, playing with toys, playing in water, eating frozen treats, doing a few crafts, reading, trying not to forget math, and spending some good quality time with Grammy.

Looking at that list, no wonder I'm tired, and the house isn't as tidy as I'd like... but I think that's what happens when all six of us need a break from the intensity that has been school-year-life, and I'm okay with it.  It's been nice to have our days simply revolve around a fun activity and a few must-do's at home.

The next month will be much like the first was, I think, so hopefully I'll have the same attitude as summer draws to a close.  So far, I've really enjoyed this summer and I think the kids have too.  If we could just throw a beach in there somewhere, life would be complete!

Fun with friends at the nearby indoor pool.

Hanging out at Summerfest, the kids were excited to build some Home Depot projects
(and the only one who needed my help was Luke).  We also saw this helicopter land,
and Cat won a prize for her rowing abilities.

Due to Jack leaving the hose turned on and filling Cat's window well with water while
we were at church one Sunday, we had a big clean-up project that lasted for several days.
Luckily, with the help of a commercial carpet cleaner, dehumidifier, and fan, we didn't
have to replace the carpet or pad.  And the kids were good sports about having a big sleepover
in the play room while Cat's room was torn up.

While Jack was at Cub Scout Day Camp and Cat was doing Big Kid Stuff, I took Eliza and Luke to
Magic Fest at the Provo Library.  We were thoroughly entertained by the magician and
mind-reader we saw, and we loved the Magic Flower trick.

Just because.

Jack continues to work on books.  Most of them are short graphic novel-type booklets
but this one is a longer chapter book he's really excited about.

When I bring a new package of Command Hooks into the house and Luke finds them,
suddenly it's time to get another package.  And a better hiding place.

It seems that wrapping things around her face has become a thing for Eliza.

Code Club at the library!  During his first time attending, Jack just watched the introductory
YouTube videos.  Maybe there will be more actual coding next time?

Where's Luke?

Jack and Luke let their stuffed animals attend a sleepover at the library.  The next morning, we picked
them up and saw a slideshow of the various activities the stuffed animals participated in during the night.
(That night Cat and her friend had fun attending a teen lock-in at the same library,
where one of the activities was to take pictures of the stuffed animals for the younger kids.)

Luke continues to wake up at night occasionally but usually goes back to sleep with little trouble.
One night in June he just couldn't do it, though, so I finally made him a little bed on the floor by our bed.
This was a sweet sight to wake up to.

Sometimes the kids decide they want screen time whether it is condoned or not.

Grammy was such a good sport to let Cat play with her beautiful hair.

Cat had a great time at basketball camp and learned some sweet new moves.

I really enjoyed making this big two-track marble run for the kids to play with.
Only, I kind of didn't want them to play with it because I was afraid it would come
apart.  But I let them play with it anyway.  And it came apart.  And it was okay.

Grammy unearthed this ancient artifact in her wallet.
I wonder what a museum would give us for it?

Eliza's fun with flash cards.

While Cat was at Girls'  Camp Grammy and I took the kids to see Cars 3 and we all LOVED it.



After seeing Cars 3, Jack established a new racing circuit.

It's so fun to find a new park!  This cool fire engine playground was right next to a fire station
AND had a shady place for Mom and Grammy to sit.

Cub Scout fun for the whole family!

Who said running errands has to be boring?