{4th of july}

Can I just tell you how much I love the 4th of July?  It is a very close second to Christmas--I love it that much.  Everything about it speaks to me--the yummy food, flags, friends & family, fireworks, the music, what the day actually means and all those who made this country what it is today--I look forward to it every year. It's also a day that I make everyone wear red, white, and blue--it's one of the perks of motherhood.  :)

We had a really great day. Rick and Ryan got up early to put up flags for Ryan's Scouting fundraiser, and then we spent the morning getting a few things done.  That afternoon we headed over to our good friends' home for a yummy dinner that consisted of pretty much all of my favorite things--grilled hamburgers and corn on the cob, watermelon, new potato salad, and homemade ice cream.We talked, the kids played, and the time flew by way too fast.

Around 7:30pm we had to head over to the church to set up for our annual dessert and fireworks get together.  It's such a fun tradition, and our family loves it.  We all meet on the lawn around 8pm, and bring a dessert to share.  When it's time for the fireworks to begin, we head over to a different part of the lawn, set up chairs and blankets, and settle in for the show. It's the perfect place to watch them, and when it's over, there is no crowd to fight in order to get home.  It's just an evening filled with lots of talking, yummy treats, and the highlight the day--the fireworks!

This year though, I ended up heading home a little early.  Henry was really struggling--he had such a sore bottom, and could barely walk. He was also exhausted, which didn't help matters.  I went home with the babies before the fireworks started to put them to bed, and Rick stayed with the older three. I was so sad to miss it, but I was glad they had a good time, and that Henry could feel a little better.  

As always, it's a day that just passes too quickly.  Can't wait until next year.

{acceptance and a solution}

We've all heard the phrase "a time and a season".  You know, things like family history, sleeping through the night, going to the grocery store during the day, and actually listening in Sacrament Meeting into that category of "not right now".  There are other things too--and they can be the things that are sometimes harder to accept.

 Even though I have a lot of really little kids, I've tried not to let that stop me from doing things and going places. I don't want my little ones to miss out on really fun things that I know they would enjoy, or wait until they are older to start doing them. 

I know I do less than I would if their ages were spread out more--maneuvering 4 kids ages 3 and under (when the boys were born) was really hard, and still is, even now that they are 5 and almost 2. I really try and think of all the logistics, and if there is a possible way, I usually will do it. 

I have wanted to get a summer pool pass for a few years now, but there was NO way I could take all the kids to the pool by myself.  They were just too little to keep on eye on all the time, and having 2 babies in arms meant no arms for Kate and Emma.  I've watched my friends get them, and enjoy their summer days basking in the sun and watching their kids swim. I had to remind myself that they have all older kids, with maybe one little one to watch closely, and that my time would eventually come.

I thought this might be the year I could attempt it.  Jack and Henry have been pretty timid around the water, and figured they would stay close to me--in the water that's very shallow. The girls are comfortable in the water, and with life jackets on, could stay in the kiddie area where I would be very close by. I had it all planned out in my head, and I was excited to give it a try.

This past week I decided to give it a trial run.  I loaded up the kids and met my good friend and her kids at the pool.  Our husbands were coming later with dinner, but we would be on our own for a little while. It actually went really well, and we were having a great time.  Once Rick got there, it was even more fun, because we could split up the kids, and take them into the deeper end.  Jack and Henry were in their element--and even my Henry, who was scared of the water at first, was all of a sudden everywhere, and having a great time.  Kate and Emma really wanted to spend time in the deeper water, and although they loved the toddler area too, they loved the freedom and openness of the larger area.  I started to wonder how that would be if I was by myself--they were much more active in the water than I had realized.

A little later in the evening, as we were getting close to leaving, and after my friend's husband had left, something really, really scary happened, and it resulted in my friend rushing her son to the hospital. (It also required me going  in to a Stake High Council meeting in front of 30 people in my swimsuit to tell her husband what had happened...lovely) It was no one's fault--there was no neglect or anything like that--it just simply happened. My heart didn't stop beating all night, and when they came to pick up their other kids in the morning (who stayed with us while their parents were in the hospital), I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

What it also did was really make me stop and think. If something like that could happen under all the right circumstances, what could happen if I was alone?  Could I really keep an eye on 4 very small children, all at the same time? As much as I want to do everything, and not limit myself, sometimes there are limits that are important and necessary, and for me, this is one of them.   

Sometimes accepting what a "time and season" includes is hard, but it doesn't always have to be all or nothing.I think we might still get that pool pass, and just go in the evenings and on Saturdays when Rick can be there too.

I've always been a believer that the key to finding joy in motherhood is not just enjoying the moment of life you're in, but relishing it. The day will come far too soon that they will be all grown up, and I will be wishing that I had those little ones there with me.

{23}

 

Ryan is working on his Personal Fitness merit badge this summer (it takes a minimum of 90 days to complete), and tonight we took his fitness baseline--sit ups, push ups, pull ups, and a 9 minute run. He's working really hard to finish his merit badges this year, and he's doing a great job.

Kate was really excited to see him doing all this, and wanted to give it a try.  Holy moly.  This girl is going to be a force to be reckoned with.  She did 23 sit ups (with correct form--no cheating) in 1 minute!!!  Not bad for a little girl that just turned 5! She had the most determined look on her face the whole time, and wouldn't stop until she thought she was close to what Ryan was doing. 

Emma was cracking me up.  She did some sit ups too (I won't tell you how many, for fear she will be compared to Kate, but I will say that she put forth a really great effort), but she wasn't too thrilled with them after the first minute. She then asked me it was okay if she could cheer for Kate, and then she went to town..  She jumped all around, cheering "Go, Kate", "You can do it Kate", "Keep going Kate", and even more. It was SO cute. She really was excited for her sister and it was fun to see. Who knows--maybe it's foreshadowing of their teenage years...

Kate's next fitness test was the treadmill. She pulled out her running shoes, strapped them on, and started to run. She liked it...a lot.  She has been asking to run a race with me, so I'm looking for a 5k that we can do together.

I just love watching my kids discover their own unique talents and interests, and helping them to develop them.  Both Kate and Emma enjoy some of my favorite things--Kate and sports, Emma and books--and it's just so fun to do them together. 

Kate wants to keep training this summer---Rick thinks she might be the only kindergartner with a six pack.  :)

{sleeping bear dunes}

*Disclaimer:  This is a really long post, with A LOT of pictures.  I seem to not be able to control myself when I get a camera in my hand, lol.  Plus, now that I'm publishing this blog as our journal, scrapbook, and family history, I want to include as many pictures as possible. Let's just say that if you're my mom, you will love this.

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One of our favorite summer traditions is our annual camping trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes, in northern Michigan.  It's this amazing combination of the beach (Lake Michigan), incredible sand dunes, a large open campsite, a big group of friends, and lots of yummy food.  My kids absolutely LOVE to go, and this was our seventh year going.  We've missed the last couple of years, due to the babies being born, and Scout camp (scheduled the same week), so it was especially fun to be back this year.

I have to say, I was a little worried about how the boys would do.  The ages of 1-2 years old are the hardest  for camping, even though they it's so fun for them to be outside.  But, they came through with flying colors.  They stayed away from the fire and the poison ivy, and slept like rocks. What more can you ask for?

The forecast called for rain, and quite a bit of it, so we packed our ponchos and plenty of games.  It rained all the way there, and I have to tell you, I was worried.  Fortunately, when we arrived, the rain had stopped and it was clear for the rest of the afternoon and into the evening.  The next morning it rained for just about 20 minutes, and then it was done for the rest of the day.  It actually turned out to be just the perfect weather for camping--cool, not too hot, and a lot less bugs.  Usually we spend quite a lot of time at the beach, and it was too cold for much of that, but it was perfect up on the dunes and around camp.  The nights were also perfect--around 50 degrees, and no one was cold.

Here are a few of the highlights:

The Set-up

The littles all needed new sleeping bags, and I just couldn't resist these. They fit exactly in the pack and plays for the babies, and the girls shared a twin mattress. 

I always bring a mason jar when we camp to fill with flowers for the picnic table.  Kate was my partner in crime, and filled it to the brim with leaves she found.  Emma found a very tiny flower she loved, and later Ryan picked me some up on the dunes.  

 

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The Hair

Rick dubbed the girls' hair the "bear" do.  I was happy because it stayed in the whole time and we avoided any hair drama and the dreaded spray bottle.

 

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Rainy Day Games

When it rained, we headed into the dining fly to play games.  Emma's favorite was Go Fish, and I must say, she was pretty darn good at it.  Kate got antsy (surprise, surprise), and so she suited up in a poncho and headed outside.

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The Food!

We ate a lot of yummy food, and no one was happier than Henry B.  We finally had to pile stuff on top of the cooler so he didn't open it and take food out.  One of his favorites?  Pringles.  I think he ate a can all by himself! My favorite? Dutch oven chicken & potatoes and peach cobbler...SO SO good. I always pack so many snacks, and usually we bring a lot home.  This time?  Most of it eaten.

Investigating...

Attempting a break-in

He knows exactly what he wants!

 Locked out.

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Around Camp

Helping dad get dinner ready

 Just chillin'

 

 Jack is OBSESSED with shoes...even while camping

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Friends

There were about ten other families there, and lots of teenagers. Kate and Emma loved being around the "big girls", and they loved them right back.

 On Friday night, it's tradition to have a big potluck dinner followed by a program with skits, songs, and a lot of laughs.  I don't think the girls actually understood what it was when I explained it to them (they were 2 the last time we were there), and about halfway through Emma leaned up and whispered in my ear "This isn't so bad after all."  Lol.  Rick stayed back to put the boys to bed, so I went with the three older ones.  About three quarters through the program, I look up, and there is Henry--no pants, just a diaper and pajama top.  He's standing all alone, no Rick in sight.  I waited just a minute, to see if Rick would follow him out, but he never did.  I ran over, picked him up, then went into the tent.  There was Rick, fast asleep, clothes everywhere (pulled from the suitcases), and Henry's pajamas in the middle of the floor.  That Rick.  I know he was tired, I'm just glad it wasn't the middle of the night!

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Sand Dunes

The trail up to the sand dunes was just next to our camp, and about a 5 minute walk to the base of the hill you climb to get to them.  You leave your shoes at the bottom, then make your way up the 65-70 degree incline of sand and tree roots.  I assigned Rick to carry Henry.  :)  Since the sand was damp, it was easier to grip, and the boys ended up being able to walk up while we held their hands.  Once you reach the top, it's the most incredible view of sand, green trees, and Lake Michigan in the distance. There are big sand cliffs, and the kids run and jump off the edge, landing on the sand below.  Ryan and Kate jumped at least 50 times, while Emma and the boys were happy playing in the sand.  Kate had me take picture after picture of her, so I could capture her mid-air.  Each time she jumped, she would come over and check out the camera to see if she was satisfied with the picture. Thirty pictures later, she was finally satisfied.  :)

 

 

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Pictures with Mom

I'm always the one behind the camera, never in the pictures, so I make a concerted effort to take pictures with my kids and Rick so there is proof that I was there! 

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Other adventures included a trip into town for ice cream, walks along the beach, and a stop on the way home for burgers, fries, and ice cream at our favorite small-town shop. I was even able to go running while we were there, and it was just so beautiful.  The whole trip was just a treat--the kids did so well, and I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the time we had not only with good friends, but with just our little family.  

I love that they will grow up looking forward to this trip every summer--I know I will!