{summertime}

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!

{picking blackberries}

One of our most favorite things to do every summer has been to pick blueberries, and we were hoping when we moved to Texas the tradition could continue.  We were very happy when we discovered not only blueberries, but strawberries and blackberries too!

Because of the difference in climate and temperature, the growing and picking seasons are earlier in the year.  We missed strawberries while I was having the baby, but we were just in time for blackberries--which happens to be a huge family favorite, and my personal favorite as well.

We found the cutest farm about 30 minutes away, and couldn't wait to go and check it out.  We weren't disappointed...it was perfect.  We stepped into their barn, and found a mini farmer's market, in addition to everything we would need to pick our own berries.  We were each given our own bucket, and then grabbed a wagon from the side of the barn.


 
We had to walk a little ways to get to the blackberry bushes, and before we got there, we came to a really fun play area with gigantic slides, and a huge tire swing.  We decided to play before...and play after!

 

Jack and Henry were in charge of pulling the wagons...something they took very seriously.



We got to the bushes, parked our wagons, and started picking. To our surprise, the berries were HUGE.  Seriously gigantic. We're talking almost 2 inches in height, and so big that our kids could barely fit them in their mouths, and much different than what you find at the grocery store!

 

We were seriously hot and sweaty.  Poor Henry's little face was totally red, despite the masses of sunscreen we rubbed onto his skin. I was seriously regretting my decision to keep the girls hair down--it was making them so hot, and was totally damp and frizzy.  I learned my lesson on that one!  Despite the hot weather, everyone was having a good time, and intent on picking a lot of berries. There was also some tasting involved...of course.  ☺

Once our buckets were full, we headed back to the barn to get them weighed.

Guess how much we picked???  17 pounds!!!  

We piled into the car with our loot, guzzled about a gallon of water each, and talked about all the things we were going to do with our blackberries.  Jam, cobblers, and pancakes were all on the list.

But what goes best with blackberries???

Ice cream!!!

 

And this little baby?  She was a perfect angel!  I carried in the front pack while we were picking, and she slept the whole time.  ♥

We can't wait to go again!

{riding the trolley}

Rick took this past week off, and the boys were in heaven having their dad home during the day.  We did spend time getting projects done, but we still found time to go and have fun!  

One day we headed to the library to catch the Waterway Trolley--one of our favorite things to do.  It goes in a loop around the Market Street/Waterway area, and makes several stops on its way.  You can get off and on whenever you want to, and it's a super fun way to get somewhere!  

The boys' favorite spot on the trolley is the very back seat, and we head there right away!  They actually sit still on the ride, which says A LOT.  Sometimes we just ride the trolley without getting off, and going on the entire loop, but this time we got off in Market Street to get some lunch at our favorite burger stop.  While Rick and the boys were waiting for our food, Miss Caroline and I headed over to Charming Charlie's to do a little shopping. ☺

After we ate, we hopped back on the trolley and when we got back to the library, we headed inside to get books before going home. I even discovered a new book by one of my favorite authors, which made the day perfection.  What a FUN day--enjoyed by all!

 

  

It's going to be hard to go back to the "real world" tomorrow!

{tidbits}

I really do not know what possessed me to take all five of the littles to the store this afternoon after school. Admittedly, I was very motivated but the cutest pair of wedges that were on sale, AND I had a coupon for which was about to expire.  It only took about...oh...3 seconds before I regretted it.  It's hard when you're 3 years old with a lot of energy to stay by the stroller and NOT TOUCH anything.  Including breakables, which of course are located next to the shoe section.  

I felt a little bit better at checkout, when I had them all lined up against the wall next to us, and the lady told me that they were very well behaved.   Which they are.  They (Henry) just have moments of craziness that take over.  

.....

I got an e-mail from the ballet studio that since the ballet they are performing next month is classical, they have to have ribbons on their shoes.  And *I* had to sew them on.  Ha.  I don't think they know about my sewing abilities, which really only consists of straight lines. After, oh, at least an HOUR, I figured it out.  I hope.

.....

Sunday before last, about 45 minutes before we had to leave for church, we discovered that there was something wrong with the fridge and freezer.  Nothing was cold, and it obviously wasn't cooling or freezing as it should.  We dashed around. filling coolers with blue ice, and hoping to save as much as we could.  Of course it was the morning after I had just done a huge shopping trip, and both were totally stocked--Murphy's Law.  We're covered by the warranty, thank goodness, but it's been 10 days!!! I have to watch the boys like a hawk...it's much easier to get into a cooler on the kitchen floor, then to get into the fridge.  Fun times, I tell ya, fun times.  

.....

The pool is open!!! The kids are DYING to go, and I'm pretty sure we will be there all.day.long on Saturday.  And every single day, all summer long.  ☺

.....

Rick is off this week...hooray!! It's been a long, long five months, and it's so nice to have him here all to ourselves.  On the docket?  Lots of swimming, some blackberry picking, adventures in "duckland"  (the duck pond), and more.

.....

Summer is here.  I simply can't believe it. 

{memorial weekend, a.k.a. "let's swim as much as we possibly can"}

Henry has been asking pretty much everyday since January when the pool was going to open, and finally a couple of weeks ago I could give him the good news!  

We didn't really have time to go until this past weekend, and with it being open on Memorial Day, we were able to fit in A LOT of swim time.  We are really so lucky--the pool is beautiful, as well as the surrounding area, and it's not ever very crowded.  It has a huge splash area for the littles, plus an Olympic-sized pool.  It's about a 5 minute walk, and a 1 minute drive from our house, which makes it even better. 

Saturday we were there for almost 5 hours, and then again on Monday for 6 hours! We ended up having friends over for an early Memorial Day BBQ on Sunday, which was good--it left plenty of time for swimming the next day!

 I'm also glad that my kids are a little bit older now, to where I can somewhat manage to take them by myself.  I was always so jealous of my friends that could get pool passes, because with so many littles, it just wasn't safe for me to go alone.  

Even now, I have to be really careful. The boys are still only three, but Jack stays with me (doesn't love getting in all the time), and Henry...well, let's just say his life is continuously saved by his puddlejumper.  ☺The girls are getting to be really good swimmers, and I'm sure by the end of the summer they'll be even better.

{my bathing beauty...whose 6 month swimsuit is already too little}

{Henry is a daredevil in the water...and out.}

{My Ryan...such an awesome big brother!}

 {all tuckered out}

 {patiently...or not...waiting for rest time to be over}

{love my jack-jack}

 {there were once two little fish...}

  Over three days, we ate a lot of yummy food, had consistently wrinkly toes and fingers, snuggled up to watch movies, and had a wonderful time!

June...you're up next!

{two months}

Two months brought some of the best...smiles and "talking", and one of the worst...being sick for the first time.  

She had been coughing for the last couple of days, and when we were in the office for her well check yesterday, the doctor discovered a pretty significant ear infection. Since then, she hasn't kept down any food (or her medicine), the cough is worse, and she is having a hard time breathing.  Poor baby.  

 

{finally asleep}

When she's not sick, she's a happy baby--never cries unless she's hungry, and sleeps through the night.  She is most definitely taking after her siblings, with her height at the 99th percentile.  All of my other kids normally hover around 50% for weight, except Henry...and now Caroline.  She's not quite as high as Henry (who is always 99%+ on everything), but she is coming in at 80th percentile.  Her rolls of fat are a testament to that fact, and she gets them pinched daily.  ☺ 

She is just the most adored baby...by everyone in the family.  There are daily fights about who gets to hold her, and even down to keeping track of how many minutes everyone has had.  We all love her to bits!!!

{smile}

Happy two months, darling baby!  ♥

{mother's day}

This was probably the busiest, most crazy Mother's Day I've had yet--but only until noon. 

When you have church starting at 8:30am, and need to be on the road with six kids and a baby by 8:10am, there really isn't time for a luxurious breakfast in bed.  I did, however, receive a lovely breakfast of my favorite yogurt, along with fresh pineapple and strawberries, which is exactly what a wanted.  I actually ate it in the bathroom while I was putting on my makeup with the other hand, but I suppose that's what being a mom is all about, right?  Doing more than one thing at a time?  Yep. 

I actually managed to curl my hair, which I regretted about five minutes later when it fell completely flat.  Welcome, Texas summer.  Welcome, humidity.  Welcome, ponytails.  

We got to church and sat in our favorite spot.  Isn't that funny?  I can almost always tell who is at church and who isn't by a quick glance around the room--we are most definitely creatures of habit, especially when it comes to our favorite pew.  

After Sacrament Meeting it was game on, and everything was in full swing.  I love Primary, but seriously, I need a triple-strength deodorant to get me through those two hours!  I was glad I had given us two weeks to get the cards done, because with so many kids, it took all of the day to get the cards finished, special notes tucked in the secret compartment, and twine tied on. It was worth it. I LOVED seeing how the kids answered questions about their mom. Some were hilarious, and some were just so sweet. I wish I could have seen their moms' faces when they opened them.

Once I got home, the relaxation began.  Rick took the kids, and sent me to my room for the afternoon. The baby napped on the bed, while I...just...sat.  I watched a favorite movie, ate some chocolates I got from church (Lindt truffles and homemade caramels...YUM!), and totally enjoyed the peace and quiet.  When I got up, Rick had made my favorite dinner--grilled chicken and corn on the cob, watermelon, and roasted potatoes.  It was perfect.  

I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening with my kids, which is the way it should be. I read their notes and cards, and I loved them all to bits.  I especially love this one from Emma...

More than any other grown-up girl?  Love it. 

Pretty much every second of the day I was thinking how lucky I am to be living this life.

{emma the ballerina}

This ballet stuff can be stressful. My perfectionist nature appreciates the excellence it demands, but it can also really make you really worry about getting everything "just so".

Emma's annual performance is coming up next month, and yesterday was their dress rehearsal in class.  I was sent an e-mail that contained a full page of instructions for what they should wear down to the exact color of tights. There was a separate page on "how to create a classical ballet bun", which included pictures, and ten bullet points.  Makeup is also streamlined, and I was sent a picture of what it should look like, along with the required colors, etc.

Emma's hair is beautiful, and she has A LOT of it.  It's extremely thick, coarse, curly, AND...short.  Not really the best hairstyle to have when trying to make the "perfect ballet bun", as I discovered.  I cannot tell you how much gel I used in that girl's hair to get it stay down, and about 5 million bobby pins on top of it, but I conquered every wisp and stray hair that dared move out of place.  Hey--the list said, "no wisps", and I couldn't settle for less. After her hair was done, we moved on to the makeup, and with my laptop on the counter, I followed the picture exactly.  

By the end of all this, I was a sweaty mess, but she looked beautiful, and very much like a ballerina.  

With bright red lips.

Rehearsal was successful, and afterward all the moms were able to come in and take pictures. Emma could not contain her excitement over her costume, which includes a tiara and long silk gloves.

Her class just finished their exams, which is where they go in before judges and are tested on their form, technique, expression, and theory. They can only move on to the next level if they pass, so it's a pretty big deal. Emma was too young this year to take them, but next spring she will.  Does that faze her?  No.  She LOVES ballet, and it very much matches her nature and personality. I love that the technique and discipline it teaches and required is unparalleled, and it's beauty, breathtaking.  Even at such a young age, they are quite the sight--their little toes pointed, backs stretched, and arms curved.  I know she's only just turned 7, and not far down the road, but even this small glimpse has given me a whole new appreciation for this art that I have always admired and loved to watch.

She told me that she wants to "dance her whole life", and then "be a dance teacher".

 I hope she does.

I think she better grow her hair out if so.

{one month}

*sigh*

It is happening WAY too fast.

{busy}

Henry has been a little busy around our house lately, and consequently has assured that I will be busy as well. 

In the last few weeks he has...

*flooded upstairs bathroom, causing it to affect the downstairs bath and ceiling

*flooded downstairs bath with several inches of water

*liberally stamped the leather seats in the Sequoia

*painted the girls' beds and desks with their new paint sets

*rolled himself in the acrylic paint on the floor that we had JUST painted.  (note:  acrylic paint doesn't wash off, and he was quite the sight at church on Sunday.)

It's a really good thing he's so dang cute.  It has saved his life on several occasions. ☺

He's not doing any of this maliciously---he is just the most curious boy I've ever seen. His timing is always impeccable--the craziness begins when I sit down to feed the baby.  I need to find some more ways to keep his attention, and challenge him, for his sake and mine! 

I know. Don't you just want to squish him?  Love this boy!

{tired}

 

Being tired must be contagious around here...these late nights are getting to everyone!

{out and about}

New babies are always an adjustment, but most especially when you need to leave the house. Or are thinking about leaving the house. ☺  All of a sudden you're packing pretty much everything but the proverbial kitchen sink. It also means factoring in extra time before you go, and while you're gone, in case they need to eat or be changed. It's been adventure, managing these two boys and their baby sister, but we're starting to get the routine down.  After a few weeks of being mostly inside, we've finally starting to hit the town! 

One of the boys' favorite places is Sam's Club, and this week we had to go and pick up the girls' cupcakes for their school birthday celebration. It's always a highlight when we eat lunch there, too.  Humongous pizza slices and churros?  Yum!! It also makes for great good behavior bribery, especially with a full day of errands.

No, I'm not above it.  ☺

 

 

Do you know how long it's been since I've actually been able to put a baby in a cart and push it?  Without pulling another one behind me?  It's amazing.  ☺