Summer So Far...

In the contest of me vs. summer, summer is winning.  We are starting in on our third (and a half?) week and I'm giving up any attempt at keeping the house clean and organized and I've lost hope on getting us anywhere farther than a half hour radius from home. 

I started out that first week assuring my friends that "Oh no, summer is wonderful! The kids have all been getting along so well! We're out to the park or library everyday!" while they complained that their kids were tearing each other and their houses apart. We had a one week grace period apparently because pretty soon after that the charm of having their big brother home/the excitement of being out of school wore off and now it's a long chorus of "he/she is touching me/my stuff/ just breathing in my general direction".  

We've been to alllll our favorite playgrounds and the library and had two camps and yeah...that's it. I'm fresh out of ideas.  We aren't taking a vacation due to Sean's highly unpredictable schedule for the next month or so and I'm trying to just take deep breaths and remember that this is what summer break is for: no particular plans other than reading books and playing and yes, learning to get along with your siblings. 

On the bright side we've been able to get out and about much more than last year (and all our kids sleep through the night hallelujah and high fives to everyone).  I can't say we aren't active because yeah, they never stop moving (or eating. I think our grocery bill has doubled now that Aiden is home all day). Aiden has one more camp and then I think I'm going to have to buck up and plan some local adventures for us. The kids don't care or notice that we're not having a vacation but I DO. I've got some good ideas but I just need to work up the courage to take them all by myself. In the meantime we'll be over here  playing soccer, rereading our favorite books for the 100th time, making chalk masterpieces on the driveway and eating sand. Wait, no, that last one is just Audrey.

Rory Turns 3

He has the sweetest baby face, giant hands but soft pudgy arms that are always ready to drape themselves around my neck. He has a will of steel, but a soft heart that is easily hurt. He has wide eyes that are always watching, the most mischievous sense of humor and is fiercely protective of his siblings. Sometimes he seems like he is a warrior ready to charge into battle, wearing his stubbornness like armor and other times he is the gentlest baby in need of endless amounts of affection and patience. He is like a summer day: sunny and warm but always a hint of thunder in the background. Sometimes he storms fiercely, but it always clears away again leaving sunshine in its wake. Today he is three.

                          

Last Day of First Grade

Aiden had his last day of school as a first grader. I can't believe the year is already over! He is looking forward to playing with Legos and being outside all summer.  He'll be attending a week of art camp and a week of all day science camp (it's all about insects so he VERY EXCITED).

This past year we didn't sign him up for soccer in an attempt to keep more freedom in his schedule. This failed hilariously as he ended up doing piano lessons, signing up for Spanish class with his friend and then the school would hold various after school activities and he always begged to do them.  At certain points he had activities every night except Fridays. This year we will, once again, attempt to scale back on All The Stuff. I feel like we've always pushed to get him involved and now that he genuinely wants to join these activities it's really hard to say no. But I will try.

Things we loved about first grade:   Aiden started the year with a substitute teacher he LOVED. She was beyond amazing and was someone who genuinely understood Aiden. She knew he loved drawing and would have him make the covers for the class books. She knew how to make him feel comfortable and confident and I wish he could have had her all year.

Before Christmas his regular teacher came back from maternity leave so he had a big change just as the school work started to get harder. His new teacher was so sweet but it was hard for him to get to know her and ask for help when he needed. Despite a bumpy beginning he really grew to like her and is happy his new classroom is close to hers.

Things we are excited about for next year: We've heard great things about his second grade teachers and he found out that he will be with his core group of best friends next year. It even seems like his class might be a little bit smaller which is always nice. This has been the first year since he was three that he has no worries at all about starting a new year of school.

Now that the year is finally over we plan on keeping up with reading and math. He's got stacks of books to read and a school packet of math facts to practice. However, we also have an awful lot of sleeping in, swimming and playing outside to work on. Happy summer everyone!

5 Things: All Music Edition

I missed doing a "3 Things"  post yesterday which is probably okay since I haven't read anything other than news articles (depressing) and the only movie we watched was The Kingsmen (hyper-violent but excellent suits). We have, however, been listening to a lot of music lately so here are 5 songs we've had on repeat lately (also, take a moment and appreciate how I finally figured out the ridiculously simple code tweak to keep the videos from hanging into the sidebar. Yay me):
 
Echosmith - Bright
It seems like this song is everywhere right now but I don't mind because it's so sweet and mellow and perfect for singing to small children who are feeling grumpy and in need of a snuggle.





Peaches- In The Valley Below
This is the ultimate driving around in the car song. It has a catchy vibe without being too hyper. This is perfect for tuning out stress and just relaxing. Basically, our Friday song. 


Omi- Cheerleader
Sean loathes this song with a burning passion. I love it for reasons I can't quite explain. I usually apologize, promise that he can pick the next song, and then turn it up and dance with Aiden.



Buttons - The Weeks
Sean and I both heard this song separately and when it came on in the car we both said "I LOVE THIS SONG". Jinx, he owes me a coke. It's a rock song but the chorus is simple and catchy. Also, the lead singer has beautiful flowing locks and should be in a Pantene commercial.   




Borns - Electric Love
I had to run out to an appointment and when I came home Sean was blasting that song. I was annoyed for about two seconds and then I was bopping my head because this song is catchy as heck. It helps that he sang it to me which is simultaneously awkward and adorable (and a little ear splitting since neither of us can carry a tune).

Quotable Kids

Here are some of the funny things the kids have said lately:

Aiden: 'I'm going to give Rory a giant bite of my ice cream"
Me: "Thank you for sharing with him"
Aiden: "I just want him to get a cold headache so he stops asking for it"


Aiden: "Today I asked my teacher what it means when a girl writes your initials on her knee in red sharpie marker, because that happened to me"
Me: "What did your teacher say?"
Aiden: "She just starting laughing and couldn't stop! Let me tell you I was NOT expecting that. I still don't know what it means!"

Me: "Rory, stop asking for more chicken when you have some on your plate"
Aiden: "I feel like he's just very concerned about protein"





Rory: "Fye Ahm! Fye ahm! FYE AHM!"

*Poor Rory normally speaks very clearly but sometimes struggles with his r's and l's, especially if he's upset. You can imagine then how panicked he was getting while trying to tell us that the fire alarm was beeping only to realize that no one understood him. It just needed a new battery but he was understandably freaking out.





Me: "Rory what do you want for a snack?"
Audrey: "Banana"
Me: "Rory, what do you want?"
Audrey: "Want this! Want banana. Want treat!"

*Girl knows how to use her words. We never have to guess what she wants, ever, for better or worse.

Weekend Recap: Field Day!

Friday was Field Day at Aiden's school which is always tons of fun. I had the chance to help out again this year which mostly meant chatting with friends, hanging out in the shade and occasionally supervising a simple tire rolling game. This was a big improvement over last year when I was stationed on the sidewalk, in the sun, and tasked with helping the kids pop water balloons with their bare feet. I really don't mind getting dirty and helping the kids but drying everyone's feet and retying their shoes a zillion times was less than enjoyable so I was very happy with the shady station this year.

On Saturday we spent the morning outside with the kids and that afternoon Aiden had the chance to go swimming, so we took the babies out for hot dogs and french fries at our favorite outdoor spot. We used to do this all the time but this was the first time we'd taken Audrey and Rory. They are excellent diet aids (whether you're dieting or not) because you can take about three bites before they're bored and ready to move on. We don't eat food like that very often so we thought they'd be thrilled but nope, not even hot dogs can make a meal last more than thirteen minutes.


Sunday we went to the playground at the elementary school and Aiden showed us all the games he plays at recess and where he and his classmates planted flowers. We are all beyond ready for the break but I think he's really going to miss it all summer. He spent the afternoon swimming for the second day in a row.

And now it's Tuesday and we are on day two (and hopefully the last day) of Aiden being sick. I don't know if it was a cold or just too much activity all weekend but he was exhausted yesterday and came home early from school. He finally seems well enough since he's going bonkers inside so I think tomorrow it'll be back to the grind. Only five days left!

Living Up to Her Nickname

All of our poor children have ridiculous nicknames, and from the moment she was born, Audrey's has been Sass. Why? I have no idea. The names just pop into my head, I say them, and the kids are forever doomed to be called something ludicrous whenever we're home together. Her nnickname was always funny because she has been the least sassy person on the face of the earth, until now anyway.

This picture is the essence of Audrey. Attitude for days. For the record, she picks out her own accessories. Apparently she's a big fan of Mr. T.

 

She is still so sweet and happy but she is all about doing her own thing right now.  Whenever we go somewhere she wants to walk on her own, she wants to open all the doors herself, get her snack out of the cabinet and a drink out of the fridge. She puts her own shoes away and drapes herself in a zillion necklaces everyday. She can never seem to remember that she's only 16 months old. 

We are seeing the truth that each child seems to grow up quicker. Instead of doing toddler things she just wants to keep up with her brothers. She never had any interest in rattles or blocks or baby toys, just Matchbox cars and the tricycle and a baby doll that is the size of her.  She is also talking much more than either one of the boys did at this age.

On one hand it's great that she can and wants to be independent. On the other, her ability still exceeds her judgment. I'm forever feeling elated that she can do so much and it lightens my load and at the same time we're always pulling her back from the brink of danger with a "Not yet! You can't do that yet!". Sean and I have come to realize that we'll be feeling this way until she's an adult.  I just hope we manage to help her keep that sense of independence and drive while helping her use her own good judgment.