Summertime and the Living is...

I love the song Summertime by Ella Fitzgerald. Would I describe summer with two energetic kids as "easy" as Ella does in the song? That would be a hell no.

Here are some other adjectives to describe summertime.

Summertime and the living is adventurous.

Sam really wanted to pass the swim test at the pool to be able to go off the diving boards this year. So on the first day of summer break we went to the pool and made a bee-line to the swim test lap lane area. Last year Sam had to be rescued during a swim test, but he was determined to pass this year. It wasn't pretty, but he passed the swim test with flying colors. While heading to the diving board he told me he was going to do a flip off the board. I told him for the first time off, just do a regular jump to get a feel for the board and the water. He successfully jumped off the diving board and then headed straight for the high dive. When he reached the top of the ladder I saw the color drain from his face and he was no longer smiling. I had a feeling Sam was going to turn around and just stick with the low diving boards for the day. But my adventurous Sam walked slowly to the edge of the board and didn't jump...he flipped off the high dive! When thinking back about my words, I just told him to do a regular jump the first time off the diving board. Since this was his second time, I guess he figured he was good to go.

Summertime and the living is full of art projects.

Laura is in her element doing art projects. When we put together the gallery walls, you would have thought she was Joanna Gaines from Fixer Upper. She's so confident and really has an eye for detail. She's tough too. The notes she leaves next to her projects screams don't mess with this girl.

I also tackled a project that was on my to-do list for years. I refinished Grandma Claussen's china hutch. I didn't realize it at the time, but I officially finished this project on her 88th birthday. Everytime I look at it, I think of her and it sparks so much joy.

Summertime and the living is random.

I felt like I was constantly at the grocery store this summer. I have so many pictures on my phone of random items from the grocery store that L & S would say they wanted and my usual response was, "Let's take a picture to remember for your birthday."

Summertime and the living is full of family time.

The Strawberry Festival, Aunt Liz's Wedding, G.G. and Papa Camp, The Schulz Family Vacation, Reiman Gardens, & Molly's Birthday Party. We were lucky to see our families a lot this summer and the the kids absolutely can not get enough of them.

Summertime and the living is growing our minds, coordination, & bodies.

Sam learned how to rip stick, knee board, ride the flow rider at the pool, open up cans using a can opener, and tie his shoes this summer. The kids rode 10 miles on their bikes yesterday with no complaints.
Today was my official first day back at work and they kids went to Dana's house, our beloved babysitter for the past 7.5 years, for the last time. They both woke up to their alarm clocks and got themselves dressed on their own this morning. Seriously alarm clocks?! I just got rid of Sam's crib!!

Summertime and the living is definitely anything but easy, but I wouldn't have it any other way.