Serious Summer FUN!!

Okay, since I haven't blogged in about 10 months I am going to assume that I have NO readers left. hehe It's not like I had a big following anyway and the really funny part was that I thought that my parents (and the inlaws) would enjoy seeing pics of the kids online. My MIL did. My parents... well dad kept forgetting to check it and my mother loathes (no exaggeration) computers. PLUS- the kids broke my camera about 5 months ago and as a result I have NO new pictures. What's a blog without adorable pics of my kids. :(

I still don't have any pictures but I didn't want to forget about the fun times we are having so I am blogging tonight to preserve memories... especially since I STILL don't have a digital camera- SIGH!

The last 2 summers have been hard. I had surgery last summer and recovery and physical therapy made it hard to do anything really fun. I couldn't get the sling wet, it was too hot to sit in the sun and sweat in a sling I had to wear 24/7, etc.

The summer before that I had pneumonia. My dad also had to have 2 surgeries that summer so I made 2 trips to Ohio. Getting my energy back after the pneumonia was really hard. Also a disappointing summer for me and the boys.

You see, I LOVE summer! Hot weather, water, sports, flowers, sunshine, playing in the rain cuz it's warm enough, slip and slide, beach, riding bikes, ice cream, etc... I love it all. :)

THIS summer- I am DETERMINED to suck all the marrow out of it. We've already started doing that. Homeschooling ended at the End of May for us this year.

We've already:

gone to the beach

drawn on the driveway with chalk and played Snail

spent time outdoors just enjoying the sunshine

I watched the boys ride bikes while I sipped expensive iced coffee on the porch (way more than once)

I hardly EVER wear shoes outside now...

Oh and I introduced the boys to Klondike bars. I thought it was high time. :)

We've ordered take out at the end of the hot days. (*cough* more than once)

Today was a fun excursion.
After rest time, the boys and I hiked up to Little Falls. (A favorite spot). We bought food before the hike and ice cream on the way home. :)
Usually we just take sandwiches but I'm all about the extravagant experiences just for now. ;)

About 1/2way down the path Thomas had stopped to get something out of his sandal (AGAIN) and my back was to the path. He yelled,"Mom look out!!" I whirled around and let out a HUGE SCREAM. I saw something barreling towards me but it didn't register (till I scared them 1/2 out of their minds) that it was 2 harmless adorable puppies and not some giant woodland animals about to attack me. They were the cutest red hounds I have EVER seen... well since that "Where the Red Fern Grows" movie. ;) (The book was WAY better by the way)

They followed us to the waterfall and the boys had a GREAT time playing with them, for over an hour, until their owners came and found them. They were sad to see them go.

Things I don't want to forget about today:

The way Judah looked standing under the heaviest spray of the waterfall.

The first time his suit started to slip off while he was under the spray.

The SWEET way Thomas "took care" of Gideon while we were hiking.

The way Judah freaked out every time it thundered (I prayed it would pass over- God answered my prayer) and ran to me and said, "I die with Mama!" To which I rolled my eyes and said, "We're NOT going to die! Quit saying that! You're freaking Gideon out!" So he changed it to, "I'll LIVE with Mama!" as he grabbed my hand. HAHA!!

The time when Judah fell in the stream and cut his elbow and hit his funny bone at the same time and as he was struggling not to cry I said in a very serious voice, "That's your funny bone Judah. Why aren't you laughing? You're supposed to be LAUGHING!" Which totally cracked him up and then he couldn't stop laughing for several minutes. I love that kid.

The way the 2 olders held the puppies and just loved on them.

All three boys hiking with the dogs in pure boyish glee. While I walked behind an reminded them that we have THREE dogs at home that eat PLENTY!

The way the waterfall reminded me of how powerful God is. Every time I stood near the spray and felt the power... It was just an awesome experience.

The looks on the boys faces when I got them big ice cream cones on the way home.


Ah, I just LOVE summer!!!