Half Way Through!

I'm not a big fan of summer.  It's just too hot most of the time for me.  I prefer snuggly sweaters and hot coffee to shorts and ice water.  This is one great way to cool off in our backyard.

On a day like today, where it's not hot (just hovering around 70), I move around quicker and actually get things done around the house.  Today, laundry day.  Three more loads to go and every clothing item in the house will be clean, perhaps not folded, but clean and dry.

There are parts of summer I like:  gardening.  ice cream.  cold showers.  swim lessons.  And the moment I realize the boys go back to school in five weeks!  Halfway, Moms, halfway!

First tomato and hungarian pepper

Dahlia Bud

 

Hot Dog

It Has Begun

The neighborhood pool has been open for six days and my boys have been there at least four times.

Although this looks lovely and relaxing, it didn't last.

It was a struggle getting there as Big Boy had a meltdown about his brother and friend not being "friends".  Then, it was a struggle leaving the pool as Big Boy refused to get up from his sunbathing pose.  

I had taken out ground turkey this morning to thaw for tacos, one of their favorite dinners.  On the way home, I was told, "Here is the deal: we are having pizza, not tacos and we will have pizza tomorrow night and Saturday and Sunday.  I promise I will listen to you the first or second time you ask and will I still get Skylanders for my birthday if I'm good?"

How did this happen?  Where did my inquisitive, cute, kind little boys go?  

They got into a fight within ten minutes of returning home, capped with a round of door slamming.

The deal making needs to stop.  The demands need to stop.  The begging needs to stop.

We (I) need caring, compassion, consideration.  

I'd like this to be aimed at me, but I'd take a little showing towards others, too.

200/366: The Summit

The sight of 'snow' in the blazing summer is a welcome one.

The boys go to a day camp in a building with ice rinks.  Every morning, the Zamboni drops a load of snow and ice on the parking lot. 

I could lay in that right now.

Today is 'Special Persons' day at the camp.  I'm picking up my dad and we are going to hopefully, sit inside in the air conditioning! 

The weather is supposed to be kinder tomorrow.

I need it to be kinder tomorrow.  Momma is grumpy.

Road Trip Recap: In Photos

 "Yes, it is okay to jump on the bed.  And the couch.  Go ahead, bounce away, and they did."

Quiet walk on paths at the West Hartford Reservoir

 Boys donning their new gifts from Uncle Keith. It's important to stay hydrated.

A "very weird ant with a red butt".

 Then...to the beach!

This was the East Haven Town Beach and just perfect for our short visit.

 Uncle Keith!

Sweet goggles from Uncle Keith.  The boys wore their goggles in the car, the whole way to the beach (over and hour).

One last stop: Herkimer Diamond Mines

 

We had a great time. 

I hope they remember this trip when their teachers ask them:  What did you do this summer?

August...Already?

The boys just got back from a couple days camping at Letchworth without me.  All boys.

They had a great time, they are quite tired, as well.

I enjoyed what little time I had after I worked two days, cleaned up the house, scrubbed the tub, and drank some wine with my folks at a great Thai restaurant in our neighborhood.  I stayed up much too late last night watching Love and Other Drugs with Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway.  Laughter and tears...just the way I like a good chick flick.

Coming off of those couple days of alone time, I realized that it's August. 

August.  The month right before September. 

Just over one month until the big yellow school bus takes my boys off for a year of learning (aka alone time!).  I have a love-hate relationship with summer.  Not being a big fan of oppressive heat and living in a non-air conditioned home, the thought of an 85 degree day makes me cringe.  Heck no, it makes me sweat, just thinking about being sticky and clammy.  I get anxious about my boys getting bored if they happen to be home one day while I'm working from home, it is somewhat of a challenge.

But then, September reminds me of packing lunches every day.  It reminds me of getting boys ready in the morning in time for that bus.  Boys that don't want to get up, no matter what time they went to bed the night before.

I have a couple trips with the boys on the calendar in August, bunch of birthday parties, maybe a couple visits to the pool and maybe even one day for myself.  Alone.

I feel a pattern forming.

It's important to be happy being alone, as long as you are more happy when surrounded by family.  Right?

September is coming....

(alone time)

Remember This?

Oh, what I would give for some of the fluffy white stuff right now. 

I'm not made for the heat.

Makes me a cranky girl.

You?

Summer Nights

This is how my nights have started out.  The pool opens at 6:00 pm for two hours.

The boys play in the splash pool for about an hour, then we all go into the big pool.  Little Man usually turns purple 20 minutes into the big pool, then he and I get out.

I'm so proud of Big Boy.  He is really becoming a nice young man.  He has overcome his fear of the big slides at the splash pool, jumping into his cousins' pool, swimming with his face in the water and he is making friends at the pool.

The same kids show up at the pool each night.  It's becoming a hangout or sorts.  They have splash battles and play hide and seek.  Very cool.  I remember the fun at that age.  I kind of miss it.

Big Boy also has a young lady caller at the pool.

She calls him 'Raspberry Plastic Tickle Bear'.

I didn't think this day would come so soon.

Tickle Bear.

What I've Been Working On...

I have an order for 20 washtowels for my favorite Cape Cod Shop, YummyGoods. It's nice to have a big project of small items, they tuck so nicely in my purse. I even did an entire row at a red light yesterday!

I had to find a new stitch pattern, the other was too loose when wet. It looked so pretty dry, though! This one is similar, basically half double crochet and slip stitch. All the way. I appreciate patterns that don't change in lines, I can never keep track of which row I'm on or how many I should have in total if I need to change pattern on row 26. Crazy.

This order should be done soon, then I need to tackle the thank you cards and finish some quick burp cloths for my little Carmen.

After that, I'm going to figure out what is wrong with my knee and why it continues to cause me heartache. I just want to run. I need to run to get ready for my 5K...this knee isn't cooperating.

Boys are in swim lessons and I enjoy that small bit of time where I can just veg. I've done a couple washtowels and will bring some work work for next week. I have to use any time I can find because it's going to be hot here again.

Would it be strange to sit in my car with my laptop in the driveway for the sole use of the air conditioning?

I think it's brilliant!

Last Day of School

Today. Today is the day when teachers rejoice and parents cringe.

The last day of school with a summer of "I'm bored" to come.

Hopefully the creativity of this boy will keep him busy. This was our way to wake up this boy, I love how his mind works, even if most of the time it's filled with "boy" things like guns and hurting and pounding and digging and whacking. I definitely was not ready for the boy mentality. So, so different than I was as a kid. Sweet, cute, the one that fell asleep while eating ice cream.

I'm in for a long summer.

And to celebrate (cringe), I'll be posting the Octopus bag on Etsy today. I really love the size and design of it. It took much too long, but holy octopus, batman, it's cool!

Where O Where Are You Tonight?

Hello All.

I have been away. Appears that I have blogitis every couple months. Blogitis is the feeling of nothing interesting to post, accompanied with lack of photographs and a computer with issues.

Today, I have a sick child at home with Strep and one that appears to be in the clear, but since I am posting this, tomorrow, he too will be ill.

We are in transition state. Tom's classes and exams are over and we can settle in to some Tom time. That, however will change as he hopes to work full time this summer at the Pharmacy. Here comes the anxiety. Two boys, one long summer. A mom with a full time job in a summer with no air conditioning. I'm scared. I get mean when I am hot and annoyed.

I'm trying not to think about it, but my piercing headache is reminding me daily. Just get through it. I keep saying this and although I will get through, I will also plow through a summer without enjoying it.

Went for a blood draw yesterday. My doctor tested for Celiac. Interesting. So I keep thinking that maybe I don't really have Celiac. Looking forward to hearing those results.

Monster purses are selling well. Can't seem to keep them in the shop. I have Frank on the drying station. After drying he goes to the monster salon for grooming. I'll keep you posted.

I appreciate every comment I get, thank you. It means a lot to know I am not just writing to some guy named Blogger.