I was dreading this summer. Not because my kids were going to be out of school but because of the HEAT. Last summer was so miserable, and I just couldn't imagine doing it again. A good chunk of my misery was the horrible morning sickness that pretty much prevented us from doing anything fun, and just exacerbated the heat. We had also just moved, and didn't know the area at all. It was a really hard few months, and I was glad for it to be different this year. However...it was still going to be hot. Anywhere it's over 100 degrees, it's hot, but it's not the heat that kills you...it's the humidity. Ugh.
So...I decided to embrace it. We're fortunate enough to have a really nice pool at our clubhouse just a half mile away, and the kids could literally swim 8 hours a day, every day. That's pretty close to how much we're there, too! It's too hot to go to the park, to the zoo, or pretty much any other outdoor activity, so swimming it is! We go during the day, and we also going after dinner, when Rick's home. It's not unusual for us to go twice a day, and we are all enjoying it. I have to admit that I was worried about taking so many little kids with me to the pool, but it's not been bad at all. We all stay in the big pool, at the more shallow end. I take Caroline into the pool with me, so I can keep a close eye on on Jack and Henry. They've already abandoned their puddle jumpers, and love to jump off the side. The girls are good swimmers too, and I can also see them and make sure they're doing well. The only hitch is when someone has to go to the bathroom...then we all have to go! If Ryan is with us then he can help, but often times it's just me.
It's amazing how much their skills have improved even in the short few weeks since school got out. There are lot of really good swimmers here, and I can see why. We start swim lessons tomorrow, and it will be the first time in years that the water won't be cold!
The Waterway fountains are such a fun place to meet friends and play! We bring a lunch, sit on the grass, and watch them run through the fountains. That whole area is one of our favorites, with the restaurants, free concerts at night, fountains, river walk, and more. At night it's completely lit with white Christmas lights on every tree, and it's so beautiful. Rick and I love going there on Friday nights, but our whole family enjoys it as well.
We're also loving the $1 movie at our local movie theater each week. You can't beat $6 for all of us to see a movie in a nice, cool theater! They are showing them in their largest theater, and it's packed. We're not the only ones trying to escape the heat!
The library reading program is always a favorite, and this year is no different. Ryan has also really enjoyed the teen program, and they are extremely generous with their activities. Gaming and pizza nights, chocolate tasting (yes...not fair, I say!), tons of prizes including an iPad mini and gift cards to restaurants, iTunes, and more, are just a few of the things they offer. He's also enjoyed getting to know people from other schools, and has been a fun summer getaway for him.
I've loved having my girls be such good readers, and I've been introducing them to some of my favorite books of all time. SO fun. The Betsy Tacy books (LOVE these), Strawberry Girl, The Bobbsey Twins, All-of-a-Kind Family, and more.
Another thing that our library does that we love is Family Game Nights. Two Mondays a month they host a huge game night, where they set out tons of board and card games Families come together to play, we meet a ton of people, and the kids love it. Did I mention the food? The spread is quite a sight...cookies, drinks, candy, chips, Klondike ice cream bars...you name it, they have it. You should have seen the looks on the kids' faces the first time they saw it...
We've also been doing more date nights, now that Rick's home more, and that's always a favorite of mine.
So...it's a full and busy summer, and I can't believe we only have 5 weeks before we leave for Utah! I have SO much to do, it's kind of ridiculous, so I'm trying to start it all now. We are driving, so with that comes everything you need to keep six kids entertained for two days.
Summertime...it's a good thing!
