OtterPops: Lovin' Summer

So I won't bore you with the details on how my kids' fighting and whining has gone through the roof this summer with the additional free time each day exposed to, well, each other. I had a melt down one night toward the beginning of the summer not recognizing what the issue was: that the fighting, teasing and constant whining was wearing me out!! Once I talked it through with Jared and had a talk with the kids about how my fun and patience level depletes really fast when they are doing those things it seems to have improved a little bit...Maybe...We'll focus on the fun we've had instead.

I apparently didn't get any pictures on father's day, but we had some new friends join us for dinner-I figured if I had the food and a plan, we might as well have other people over as well. We love Jared so much and I am so grateful he is the father of my children!

Jared with kids at Gilroy Gardens

Jared & Greg working on new mantel

We've continued to have a fun time with Greg & Maren (Jared's brother and his wife who are living with us this summer). They've sacrificed countless hours of their summer helping us with house projects and kids. During swim lessons Maren kept Emma with her several days so she could nap and I could have my hands free to assist with Jonas struggling with being happy at said lessons. On top of that, she had our lunch all ready for us when we arrived home. What a treat! We won't know what to do with ourselves when they return to their normal lives.

3 kids after swim lessons

Jonas back float

Girls waiting for their turn at the side of the pool

After Jonas got over his initial fear he did great at his lessons. All the kids did fairly well and made even more progress when we went to Dixon and swam a couple different afternoons at the Stone's pool where I spent countless hours swimming every summer day as a kid. We missed the last day of swim lessons to head up to Dixon to see Lara and her kids who were in town (so she can deliver her baby there), as well as Nate & Tausha who came into town for a visit. We coordinated the trip so that Jared, Greg & Maren could have a kid-free house in which to complete one of the most strenuous house projects of the summer. Refinishing the banister for our quarter-round staircase. I LOVE the fresh new look but it was several non-stop days of work while I got to go play with my family. We had a great time letting all the cousins hang out, catching up with a couple friends who came by to visit, getting tennis lessons from Grandpa, art lessons from Aunt Tausha and eating great food thanks to Mom & Tausha who took such good care of us!