Summer Summary

Okay, here is a quick wrap-up of the summer months so far with the kids… I keep thinking summer is over since school started even though it is only mid-August.

Biggest loss: E's beloved blankie has now been missing for 84 hours. We started him as a baby with 4, having learned from experience that blankies tend to disappear (E) or be loved down to nothing (P). First one… just lost, second went missing in our Disney World hotel two years ago, third was "stolen" by housekeeping when we were in Myrtle Beach over Easter this year, and this one, well it has to be somewhere in the house because it went missing between 1:00 and 4:00 and we don't let the blankie leave the house. E is doing well, but I feel so bad for him.

Biggest accomplishment: In my eyes, two children potty-trained and no pull-ups during the day any more but in P's and C's eyes… learning to dive. C has gone past that now, doing all kinds of dives and jumps, each with a name and a few giving me a panic attack as I see his head just inches from the pool wall.

Funniest moment: There are a lot, but one that sticks out is that P and C do this jump in the pool called a "butt bomber" where they basically go in bottom first. Quiet, sweet, reserved P said, "Watch me to a butt bomber mom!" and I turned to see his bare white rear end headed quickly (of course, we don't ever run at the pool so it was a brisk walk) to the pool and hitting the water. I renamed that the "naked butt bomber" and banned it from the pool, which is right next to a country club restaurant by the way.

Funniest moment (runner up): P told his daddy on the first Friday of kindergarten, after going for four days, that he was not going to school. He needed the day off. “It’s just so long daddy!”

Kids' passions: For the boys, Star Wars, Star Wars, and Star Wars. The have also loved the pool. B loves the pool too, and wearing her goggles still.

New foods: The kids tried and liked ribs. I do not like that they call them "pig ribs" because to me, I don't need the reminder of where they come from.

Medical issues: Well, I shouldn't jinx it but I think this is the first summer that we haven't had to have a trip to the emergency room for some type of accident that "probably doesn't need stitches, but just in case…" P’s swimmer's ear this week (which also contributed to the tantrum issue in the last post when he could not go underwater, even though I was letting him in the pool against the doctors orders) has been the worst! Yippee.

Fun trips: Disney World, VA Beach, and Water Country… in fact we are headed to Water Country today because I have been dreaming of the lazy river… well, with four kids, the semi-lazy river but I'll take it!

Firsts: Seeing E and B in organized structured activities. E in swim class, where to my relief, he followed directions, paid attention, and was great with his teacher! I am confident he will do great in preschool now if we can get him through the door on day 1. B in dance & gymnastics class and watching her do everything any misbehaving child started doing, requiring more than her fair share of the teacher's attention, and bowing out of activities by claiming, "I tired." I have a few concerns about B and preschool, though that is all she talks about lately, "peeschool, peeschool, I go peeschool."

I am sure there is more… I'll save some for the true end of summer!

Have a great day!
Kate