Just the Start of (the Strangest) Summer

Usually we start our summer earlier than the public school kids so at this point the past few years we are finishing up the last of school and trying to squeeze in as many beach days, spray park afternoons, and playground play dates as we can before everything is overrun with big kids. Not that I have anything against big kids-- now that I have two, but typically, parents are less likely to supervise a kid over five. And typically, those kids like to show off for their friends. And typically, that involves partaking in activities where my little guys are inadvertently hit with something or run over. Or WORSE, intentionally hit with something or run over. 

These first few weeks of summer have been nothing like the first few weeks of summer I've had as a parent. We have been home all day, every day. Lots of pool and playground and bike rides and walks. Impressively the kids have not been complaining or begging to go out. I am not missing packing up four kids, towels, bathing suits, snacks, sunscreen, extra clothes, snacks, a picnic blanket, sand toys, snacks, and lunch to go out. But it is certainly odd...

Loving Our Backyard

We have spent so much time in our yard since the quarantine began. And so much time on our yard. Our garden is totally redone and planted. Our landscaping is edged and mulched. We have five planters of flowers. By far the nicest our yard has ever looked. And with nothing else to do we are managing to keep on top of the maintenance. 

Other excitement in our backyard: 

Baby chickadees:

And a beautiful rainbow. 

The Pool Is Up!

It is a scorcher this week!! We put our tiny pool up Wednesday since it was so hot this week. Even with the straight-out-of-the-hose-I-can't-feel-my-toes-freezing-cold water, the kids were in it, day one. Sadly, the pump is broken and we are awaiting a new one from amazon prime (no longer two day shipping), but water is water and the kids have been in multiple times every day since then. To be young again... 

A Much Needed Weekend Away

After more than two months of not leaving our house for much more than an occasional trip to the grocery store, it was such a breath of fresh air to take the long weekend and head to New Hampshire to spend time at Gram and Grumpy's. 

We could have sat on the couch all day and done absolutely nothing, and it would have been amazing just to be out of the house, but there was plenty of playing in the yard, walks in the neighborhood, trampolining, bonfires and swimming in the hot tub to make the weekend extra fantastic. 

These Kids...

Can certainly be challenging, but they have really stepped up to the plate in these "uncertain times" and have been getting along so well and being so helpful. I couldn't ask for anything more. 

Happy Birthday!

SlimJim, you are the excitement and laughter in our days. Also the pins and needles when you climb too high or jump too far, but that's part of the package. You are adorable in your empathy and desire to be one of the big girls, and hilarious with your back and forth "no baby" and "baby, come play". You have blossomed into a talkative, inquisitive, always amusing kid, who is never without a hug or a cuddle for a parent or sibling who needs one, or a challenge to climb higher or go faster for a parent or sibling who isn't experiencing life to the fullest.

I can't believe we are celebrating our third, third birthday! What a memorable time... crazy quarantine, a visit from family after months apart, and an amazing toddler who is turning into an amazing little kid.

To add to the excitement of a third birthday, Gram and Grumpy, after months of social quarantine, agreed that of all times, past and future, our family of six was the cleanest, healthiest we could be since the start of the quarantine and going forward as things start to open again. Since we were all not willing to go many months more without seeing each other, and were hoping to spend a good part of the summer together, we all decided to brave it and have Gram and Grumpy and Auntie Jen visit for SlimJim's third birthday. After all, if they lived down the street, we would have all been social quarantining together all along.

I hope SlimJim had as great a weekend as the rest of us, surrounded by family.

I feel so fulfilled to have spent the weekend with the people I love so much and have missed so much the past few months. While I believe we should all be cautious, it isn't worth living in fear and solitude, missing out on time with family!