Summer Time

I can't believe July is nearing the end. Summer time is going so fast. I've attempted to make summer time super fun, it's been a challenge with four kids but I think we have had lots of fun. Here is a little of what we've been up to.

Lexi gets left home A LOT with mom. Her BF lives just far enough away that I have to drive her and we try to let them still like us so we don't bother then every hour of every day like Lexi would like. Lexi usually wakes up in the morning and asks to play with Abby and the day goes on and on until she can play with her. I use lots of tricks to keep her mind off her BF when she can't play with her. Lexi loves swimming outside and running in the sprinklers. She says it too cute "Can I play in the sprinkle ers?" almost like its two words instead of one. It has been such a HOT summer. We have already had 10 days in the 100's.

Lilly is mom's chunka monka. She doesn't mind staying home too much and chillin' with mom either while Maddy and Jack run here and there. I love having so many friends doors down for the kids to play with. Lilly in no time will be running the neighborhood too!

Camille and kiddos invited us to go spend the afternoon at Daybreak Lake. It really is just a man-made lake in the middle of the community. It has a path around the lake to bike or walk. The sign says no swimming or wading, so I didn't put the life jacket on the munchkin. BIG MISTAKE! We arrived and no more than 5 minutes later I was running in the deep water to rescue her. It still scares me to think about it. They were playing in the sand with this darn green bucket. The bucket went out in the water and so she went to get it. Guess she didn't get the memo where I said we are not swimming just playing in the water no deeper than our bums. Lesson learned for mom too. Next time I'll just put on floaties or a life jacket and have peace of mind about safety.

Anyway, here's the first picture I snapped. Lilly was here too just not in the picture.

And then the next--see she's got her bucket

And then the next, I should have realized Lexi wasn't in the picture. I sat down in my chair and thought, where is Lexi, I don't see her. I found her with her arms flaring in the water and ran. I didn't know I could run so fast. Another mom, also took off running when she saw her too. The first thing out of Lexi's mouth was "my bucket." It did scare her and me more than her. I had the shakes for at least an hour!!

My patriartical blessing says I will have the "watchful eye of a mother" Thank goodness I did today. I prayed and prayed and thanked Heavenly Father for her and all my sweet blessings and continue to pray to have a watchful eye to protect my children. As you can guess, I didn't sleep well that night and have since had the image replayed over and over in my mind.

Camille and her crew arrived shortly after the incident and we made a rule of not going in deep at all. We were constantly reminding the kids and counting to make sure we had 6 kids that we could see. Thank goodness Lilly (3 months) and Owen (8 months old) were content to staying with us on the blanket. All in all it was a great afternoon, the kids had a blast playing in the water and sand. Next time I'll just put on the life jacket!

Summer time gets so hot we spend a lot of time inside almost like it is winter and we can't go outside. Jack loves to play Wii. His new fav game is Lego Batman

And of course, the kids always fight over the iPad. We joke when Mike gets home, its a race to run to ask Dad if they can play the iPad. Not a hello Dad so glad you are home from work instead "can I play the iPad?"

And Lilly loves chillin' with Dad too.

Summer time the kids play outside and color with sidewalk chalk.

We took a day trip to Wheeler Farms. I haven't been here since I was a kid. Pretty much the same too. Here's the big kids on the wagon.

Macey, Maddy, Jack, Ally, Lexi

Then they climbed the haystack and we snapped a picture. On the way down we read a sign that said "Please do not climb the hay" OOOPS!

Here's Macey and Jack peeking out the window of the playhouse. I remember this playhouse. They played here for ever, that's okay it gave Camille and I time to eat and nurse the little ones.

We ate lunch and then Makenna and Rachel joined us. They treated the kids to otter pops. It was getting so hot and the babies were getting fussy. I was ready to head out of the sun.

I promise Lilly does go on all the adventures with us, although this is usually her spot--the stroller watching or sleeping while everyone has fun! You can see Owen's feet in the background too. We headed to Toys R Us to pick up Maddy's birthday present (post to come) and to get some Parmesan cheese from the Italian Market (I'm spoiled and can only eat the good stuff).

More summer time to come.