Summer + Home

I'm very thankful that we've gotten to have so many weekends at home this summer. It's no secret that I love to be at home. I like to travel too and love to see new places, but I'm really never sad to leave a trip to come home. I've always been that way, and I guess I always will be. Yes, it's a little hard to be just "at home" when Scott is working on the weekends, but we find ways to occupy our time. 

On Friday, we went to the library to turn in the kids' Summer Reading logs and to get their prizes. Our library does an amazing job with summer reading and the local businesses really support their effort. Afterwards, we went around to the library park to play for a bit because it was only about 75 degrees and cloudy. A perfect day for the park. 

There is a path at the park that leads to a little stage, complete with stumps for the audience seats. We took turns on the stage. Lila & I sang songs and Nate told a story.

I believe she is destined for Broadway.

Nate's story was about Hero Factory, so he lost Lila's attention pretty quick. But I stayed on for him to finish it out.

The kids put "go to Fitz's" on their summer must-do list, so we went on Friday night. You can go to Fitz's (root beer bottling factory and restaurant) any time of the year, but for some reason it's a summer thing to them.

They have these giant root beer floats, so we got one to share - complete with strawberry ice cream at Nate's request. I know this picture cuts him out, but I couldn't resist Lila's sweet face when looking up at him. During the days of endless fighting, I really appreciate moments like this. 

We sat outside and it was beautiful weather. I love me some Nate & Lila Boyle. Now if they just liked each other all the time, I'd be set.

On Saturday, we went to the pool. Because, of course. Then on Sunday, we went to the pool again then came home and rested. After rest, Lila talked me into doing the Easy Bake Oven to make cake pops.

They turned out much better than expected, because here's the deal about the Easy Bake Oven. It ain't all that easy for adults. Because everything is so small. But we managed, and she was happy.

Happy Monday! It's the last week of summer here at our house because my kids will be off having fun at another house next week! :)

A Good Visit & Other Happenings

Swim team ended last week, and we're all so sad! But before the sad ending, Nate had a swim team party and one last swim meet. He and Scott went to the party while Lila & I were both out of town - and they had a great time swimming silly races and having fun with his teammates. We are SO proud of Nate for his effort with swim team. He gave 100% every practice and meet. And he gained quite a bit of confidence. So much that he is going to do a kids triathlon in the near future! We couldn't be happier. Or surprised. But we're rolling with it! 

Mimi & Paka came up last weekend for a mid-summer visit. We are so thankful they made the trip and it was wonderful to see them. We hung out around the house, swam, shopped, and played a little baseball. 

Clothing optional. According to Lila.

The 5 of them also played lots of Uno Attack. The kids loved it.

I don't usually get involved in game nights, but I think I might have to take on this game. The kids were so happy to play, and that makes it worth it.

We also shopped a little...to get this sweet girl some new tennis shoes. When the lady measured her foot and said she would need a size 10, I almost fainted. I don't want her to have a size 10 foot:( Growing up too fast. They hardly had any styles in a 10, and there was no way we were leaving the store without shoes (child loves her some shoes), so I was super thankful when the sales lady pulled out these Keen tennis shoes. So cute!

On Monday, while I had to work, Scott took his parents and the kids to the Botanical Gardens. They are having a Lego exhibit there this summer and everyone thought it was fabulous. This picture reminds me of all the ones with my siblings when we were little. Don't you dare get too close to each other...

Thank you Mimi & Paka for a wonderful visit!

Lila's Canoeing Adventure

My mom called a few weeks ago and asked if they could take Lila on a canoe trip with them. I initially said no, because selfishly, I didn't want her to be away for that long. But after I thought about it some more and saw how our week was stacking up with Nate's activities and a work trip for me, I decided to let her go. 

Of course, she had a great time. And Nate got to be an only child for a week. I think they both were very happy. 

Sarah, Hamil & Thane went too, so Lila got to have some fun cousin bonding time.

These pictures crack me up. I love Thane's facial expressions!

Lila also caught fish, but my mom said she did not like when they got on the hook. She would simply lay the pole down if she caught one.

Thane loves Lila and my mom told me he liked to turn the screw and try to see if he could bother her. I'd say he'll carry on the Corse name proudly.

I missed her so much and was so glad when it was finally time to get her back on Friday. She was very glad to see me, which is not what I expected since I think my kids would rather go live with any of their grandparents any day:) But she gave me a big hug and kept telling me that she was so glad to be home.

I'm so thankful she had the opportunity to go canoeing - I do have fond memories of it from my childhood. Just not so much that I enjoy doing it in my adulthood:)

Another Summer Weekend

Last week was a busy one - and I breathed a sigh of relief when Friday rolled around. Nate went to Lego Camp at Bricks 4 Kidz again and enjoyed learning some new techniques with motion and programming. Lila & I went to watch his final program on Friday. He was the cutest one there of course. 

He and his partner made a chainsaw that actually made noise. I was very impressed with all the gears and the programming they had to use to make the noises. He initiated a conversation that afternoon about what college classes you had to take to be an engineer. So proud that he's thinking ahead:)

Lila was wiggly at best during the presentation. But she made it. And wanted her picture taken as proof.

We were scheduled to go to swim & dinner with Evan & Olga and their girls, but Friday was one of those days when we woke up and nothing was going right. The kids had most certainly hit their wall and it wasn't even 10:00 AM yet. With the day ahead filled with the dentist and camp, I decided to make a hard Mom decision and cancel. I hated to do it as we were really looking forward to seeing them, but sometimes you just know that "it ain't gonna go well" and you should just throw in the towel before you get there.

So after camp, we came home, made brownies and took early baths.

 They needed it after the brownie bowl licking.

Especially after Lila tried to put it in Nate's hair.

They had fun though, and we were able to salvage the day's end.  

On Saturday, we headed to the pool right when they opened at 11:00 AM. It's really the best time on the weekends because no one really shows up until almost 1:00 PM, just when we're starting to wind down.

I've been so proud of my kids this year regarding the concession stand. We don't ever eat there and we always take our own lunch, dinner or snack. They never complain and never ask to go to the concession stand. But one of the things that they put on their "must-do" summer list was eat at the concession stand.

So we picked Saturday to do that.

And they thought it was such a treat.

It was a good summer weekend. Here's to another week!

A Few of My Favorite Things - Summer Edition

I have had a pair of brown Clark's flip flops for the past few summers that I wear all the time. I needed to replace them last year. And maybe the year before that. But I just couldn't ever find anything I liked, so I kept wearing them. Well. The toe strap is about to come off, so this summer I had to find a replacement. After searching high and low (because apparently Clark's quit making the style), I found these Sperry ones when I popped into Macy's last week. I love them! They are so comfortable and have plenty of support overall and extra in the arch. Perfection. Maybe I should buy 2 pairs because when I wear these out, I'm sure they won't be making them any more!

www.sperrytopsider.com

We found these ice cream bars last summer at Aldi. And we can't keep them in stock at our house. They are low calorie, but with tons of taste. Yes, I'm an Aldi commercial. The kids don't like them, which is awesome, so Scott & I get all of them.

www.aldi.com

I confess that I have not always taken care of my skin. And I did spend a lot of time outside when I was younger. Baking. So I have a few dark spots on my face that I all of the sudden don't like. When I saw Jennifer Anniston advertising this tone corrector, I knew I had to get some. And I wish I had taken a before picture because it works! I'm still using it to even out some more, but I was pleasantly surprised with the initial results.

www.aveeno.com

Happy Summer!