106 Days Of Summer Vacation

There were good days, and some not so good. Some days were filled with tantrums, tears, and boredom. Some days flew by, and others were met with constant challenges. No matter what the day was, I was there for every single one of them.

This Summer the kids seemed to have grown faster than ever. They all grew taller, and they also gained great maturity.

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They had a lot of plans. Some were grand, others were small. We only went on one road trip out of town. For a while I felt guilty that we didn’t do enough, but by mid-July I embraced the art of staying home.

We visited the pool, parks, and walking tracks. We took Dad lunch at work, saw friends, and we even took care of foster kittens. We also talked a lot… The kids seemed to have a million questions this Summer. They had several worries, and some complaints. After all of those talks, and even gripe sessions, the kids know that I am always there for them.

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This Summer I seemed to live in the kitchen. There was endless cooking, cleaning, baking, and grocery shopping to be done. And there was a lot of laundry, but that doesn’t happen in the kitchen. I think that I only got caught with all of it maybe twice.

When I was feeling bummed out about the piles of laundry to fold, and dishes waiting for me, I would take a big breath, and just a minute to think. Our kids had exactly what they needed, they had clean laundry, and home-cooked meals from scratch. Dylan would often give me a giant hug after a favorite lunch or dinner, and he would always say “thanks mom”.

August seemed to go by quickly, We worked on getting our school route mapped out, and supplies purchased. We visited the Dentist, and picked up a few new clothes too.

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On the last day of Summer the kids and I went out for lunch, and we enjoyed a very lazy afternoon. I made sure to take a moment with each of my kiddos, I gave them each a big hug, and let them know just how proud of them that I am.

They are all growing up so quickly, but I love the amazing people that they are becoming.

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Throughout the Summer, with all of  the good,  the bad, the tears, smiles, and many slammed doors. The endless snacks, and relentless chants of “I’m bored”, real hugs, and happy moments, I am grateful that I didn’t miss a moment of it.

Happy 8th Birthday Dylan

Happy 8th Birthday to our little man Dylan!

Dylan has grown, and changed so much over the last year.

He is still my little sweetie!

Dylan is our outdoors-kiddo. He loves to be outside in the sunshine jumping on the trampoline, or chasing his pet toad “scooter” around in the mud.

Dylan is fun, playful, and has a very big imagination.

Dylan is a great big brother, and a fantastic little brother as well.

Dylan has absolutely loved the second grade. He is an advanced reader, fantastic at math,  and he is in the highest math and reading classes too. He often talks about what he wants to be when he grows up. He either wants to be a teacher when he grows up, or maybe a farmer.

We love you so little man!!!

Happy eighth birthday Dylan!

Here’s to many, many more awesome birthdays!

Happy Birthday Dylan!

Happy 7th Birthday to our darling Dylan!

He is growing up fast, doing great in school, and he has even reached his personal goal of reading one hundred books for Ready Set Read. We are all so very proud of you Dylan.We love you little man!  Happy Birthday!!!

School Goal Met!

Did I mention that Dylan has reached his school set goal for Ready Set Read… I’m really proud of him. He read thirty books, and he has kept on going.

Currently he has read forty books. He loves to read out-loud to our pup Mia. She loves to listen.

Dylan’s goal that he set for himself is one hundred books. I know he can do it!

New Haircuts

This week the boys were looking a bit shaggy. They were both in need of a haircut, and Agnes wanted one too. While I can’t convince Dad to let me cut her hair too much, I did even up her ends a bit.

How I love her curly hair! My hair would never do that…

Dylan’s hair had really grown out, it was long enough for a faux-hawk.

Thade went with a faux-hawk too.

I love their new haircuts!