Out of Routine

Summer always comes with a change in routine. All of the activities end and there is an abundance of free time. This I am thankful for because there are also many more things I want to do. Every year I say I am not going to the let the summer pass so quickly and I try to cram as much in as I can. We have been participating in the reading program at the library this summer. It is a bit of a chore to get my kids to sit down for any length of time for stories. They are just too busy but this has given them some motivation! S is reading many of his own and is constantly surprising us with how well he is reading. T is busy crafting away. She loves to paint and I am always getting little pictures from her with little words on them. She is asking more and more how to spell things and is interested in practicing her letters.

Back to this library club...and being out of routine...my kids have been a little off and are having to relearn how to spend 24/7 together. Everyone is staying up later and getting up at the normal time which means too little sleep which of course impacts behaviour. For those who saw us walking home from the library last week my daughter does not typically lie on the sidewalk shouting "No, Mommy..." but yes it does happen and when it happens I feel an urge to flee the scene :) Just keep on walking and hope she decides to catch up. One day it will be a distant memory but some days that parenting thing sure is hard. Managing 2 spirited kids with a baby to tote along can really wear a person out. I love it and am so happy I chose to stay home with them but some days...well let's just leave it at that :) [insert image of S on his bike about a block ahead of me almost colliding with an older kid, baby sitting in stroller on sidewalk and T clinging to me like a monkey as I try to rationalize with her - all the while what feels like 30 cars pass by wondering who this crazy family is].

This summer has started off with some long awaited renovations. I know...bad time of year for it. The drywalling should be complete tomorrow and then we are going to paint. Who wants to stay indoors painting during the summer? That will only happen if we can agree on colours before September hits :)

We had a nice relaxing weekend of sleepovers for the kids at Grandma and Grandpa's. On Saturday we got a wake up call from S asking when we would come for breakfast. When we got there he escorted us to our seats, handed out the menus and then brought activity place mats that he and Grandpa had made. I kept their menus and placemats as souvenirs! The weekend continued by being spoiled senseless! I am so lucky to have such great parents and to have them nearby!

We spent a lot of time chalking Grandma and Grandpa's driveway this weekend.

S went for a bike ride with his dad on Sunday and they made it all the way from town to the golf course and then called for me to come pick them up. S was so proud of himself that he made it all the way. I couldn't believe it either, just more proof that he is not my little guy anymore and is becoming more and more independent!


This little one has a new favourite word - "No." She is trying to follow along with S and T and they are pretty accommodating but at times are frustrated by the pre-two's stage. I had to post this picture because S said it makes him nervous...he is afraid she is going to fall and could I please not take pictures like this of her.