{sweet summer time}

sweet, sweet summer.  it's finally here and the warm weather has finally arrived too.  we have been out of school for a week and a half already and are enjoying every single moment.  i love the golden glow on my skin, the smell of burgers being grilled, and the late nights with my family and friends.

we had an enjoyable memorial day at matt's uncle's pond.  the kids only got out of the water to eat and even then they were dying to get back in and do their thing. the floating mat was a huge hit.  they were running across it, sliding, and doing flips off of it.

 greyson had football camp so while he was there the rest of us went to the park and to woodview to play and ride bikes.  now the twins ask to go to the park when they wake up since we did it so much last week.  they think its part of our every day routine.

kenna and easton

graham

 we signed up for the summer reading program at the library.  the kids are motivated to read to earn tickets towards some great prizes.  i also made a list of things they have to do each day before they can watch tv or play electronics and so far its worked really well.  they know if they argue or complain about the list and their tasks they don't get electronics at all that day so that has kept the whining down a bit.  i thrive off of structure and it keeps me from getting lazy.  i have also continued to get up at my normal time to shower so i can be ready for the day before most of the kids get up. i say i'm going to do this every summer and it never lasts so we'll see how long i can keep it up. ;)

we had so much fun on the mat for the pond that we went to bart's and bought a similar (but a lot smaller) mat for our pond.  on the way home we stopped at the root beer stand to enjoy some root beer floats. when we got home we had to try the mat out right away and i actually got in the water.  pretty sure that is the first time in several years.

swimming, ice cream, and sports camps are all signs of summer and we are so glad it's here!