midsummer review

We are just about 5 weeks in to our summer vacation, not even halfway thru. Yet.... back-to-school clothes and backpacks and pencil boxes bombard me whenever I enter a store. My inbox is full of emails boasting "back to school savings" and "summer clearance" events. Am I the only one thinking.... "What the Hell happened to Summer??!!" It's insane. Has it always been this way? Back to school clothes shopping 4th of July weekend....?? Or am I only noticing it now that I am a parent? 

Either way, it sucks. I want to enjoy summer vacation. Which, oddly enough... this year, I am. I know many parents dread summer vacation; children home all day long, fighting with siblings, arguing with parents. Don't get me wrong.... we have our days, many in fact. BUT... most of the hours are filled with them laughing and playing and me actually, (wait for it)... relaxing. Yes, I said it. This summer I have actually been able to find time to relax and enjoy my children, as well as this glorious season that is summer. For the first time in about 8 years I have actually been able to work on my tan! (save the "sun is bad for you" comments. I'm well aware... and... I don't care.)

Our summer has been filled with hours in the lake, showers outside, and dinners on the deck. We make occasional runs to the grocery store for the staples, like bread, milk, cereal, and whatever we can throw on the grill for dinner, and every few days the Hubs or myself, will run to corner gas station for 5 gallons to put in the jet ski's.

It has been bliss.

We've had a few "events" so far,

like Balloonfest...

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And 4th of July with pancake breakfasts, Revolutionary War obstacle course, Bomb Pops, swimming, BBQ's, and fireworks with friends...

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But for the most part.... our summer days have looked like this.....

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I'm very much looking forward to the next 7 weeks of summer bliss. We've got a few more fun things planned.... a camping trip to Lake Michigan, a day at the Zoo, and perhaps a weekend up north. Whatever we do, or don't do.. I'm hopeful that the rest of the summer will keep on ushering in her soul soothing awesomeness. ;) Gawd knows I need it.

Primary Temple Trip | Pink Party | Fathers Day

*Forgive me for the combined posting recently. I'm trying to catch-up on my blogging and rather than do each event in a it's own post.... I am combining them. ;) Hopefully I'll be all caught up soon and can resume "regular posting". ;)

PRIMARY TEMPLE TRIP | 9 June 2012

In the early part of June the leaders of the Primary (children's program in our Church) made arrangements for the kids to go and see the Detroit Temple. They were able to walk around the outside and the Temple President spoke to them about what goes on inside (they can't go in until they are 12 years old), and also a bit about the history of this specific temple. It was dedicated on my birthday; October 23, 1999. :)

They all had a great time, despite the insanely HOT temps (it was 10am and already over 90*..ugh)

 

When we left, we took M-59 home, instead of the freeways, to avoid the crazy construction traffic. The PLUS side of that... SONIC. ;)

Rt 44 Cherry Limeade... my crack. 

Sonic is about 20 mins away from our house. Not that far of a drive, but it's in area that we rarely travel to. So... when we do happen to have an excuse to drive M-59 to "where the sidewalk ends".. we always make sure to stop at Sonic. ;) 

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PINK PARTY | 14 June 2012

For the past 4 years, every June, our town puts on the Pink Party. You buy a "passport", and all the shops downtown have special sales, giveaways, and raffles. There are also tons of other businesses that set up on the courthouse lawn, offering freebies and such. You can get an "escort" for your group if you want. It's basically your own personal butler for the evening. ;) Who wouldn't want that?! The BEST part, 100% of all the proceeds that night from each shop go towards the local hospital for supportive care and breast cancer research.

This was the first year that my sister, mom, and I were able to go. It was so fun! Just to see the entire downtown area painted pink, and all the people (mostly women) there to support the local hospital. It's a wonderful cause and it's so fun to be apart of that. Plus, getting to dress all in pink, and party downtown is always fun. 

BTW- Be impressed.... I made my dress!! ;) 

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FATHERS DAY | 2012

Be warned.. it's about to get 10 kinds of mushy up in here. ;) 

I married the BEST guy. Seriously. He is not only the best husband, (not many guys could deal with me and all my craziness), but he's the greatest dad ever. When we had Cohen I was terrified!! I could count on one hand the amount of times I'd held a baby in my life before becoming a mom. I had no clue what I was doing. But the Hubs, he rocked it. He spent the entire first night in the hospital holding him. And many a night after that. With each new addition we've added to our crew, he's been just as excited and awed and helpful and amazing and just.... awesome. 

He always takes one or more with him on errands or where ever. He spends every moment he can with them. He truly enjoys being with them and doing things with them. He's the Ying to my parenting-Yang. When I've had it up to HERE with them, when I'm ready to go insane... he swoops in and patiently deals with them. He loves on them, he plays with them, he laughs with them, He's amazing.

That being said.... I am totally stunned (and so sad) that I did NOT get a single photo of the Hubs with the wolves on Fathers Day! What was I thinking?! HOW did I not get a photo?? I'll have to fix that asap. ;)

I did, however, get a pic of my dad with the a few of the kids. Fathers Day was spent mostly cooking and grilling and swimming. Not a ton of time for photos. :( Next year.

we were excited about our cute little veggie cup idea that we got from the Pink Party. ;)