Old Deck, New Deck

We're rebuilding our back porch/deck.  We'll gain enough space to put our grill just outside the kitchen, making it much more convenient.  And it will be nicer to have more deck space in general.

Here is before picture:

 Day 1:

Day 3

Much improved!

Minecraft Week

If you've ever watched "Tangled," there's an opening scene where Rapunzel gets up at 8am and whirls around, while singing, cleaning, painting, cooking, brushing, dusting, and on and on, and then she looks at the clock that says it's 8:15am.  Our boys are sortof like Rapunzel during the first week of summer break.  They are happy little chore busters first thing after breakfast, but unlike Rapunzel, as soon as they are done, they run to the living room and play Minecraft all day long.  Of course, the rule is that once they've done 10 chores, mom lets them do whatever they want for the rest of the day.  It's my gift to them for working hard at school and being good kids.  They could use this week to do anything they want.  My job is to transport them and feed them.  But they have chosen Minecraft, every single day.

Granted, they missed out on the two loveliest days of June and they talk about Minecraft incessantly when they are running to the bathroom or enduring a meal at the table.  But it's raining nonstop again and I've read a book and completed a long list of to-dos, so I have no complaints.  Actually, I'm enjoying surprising them with tasty meals and rice crispy treat breaks because they lose track of time and forget to whine about being hungry all day.  If only life were always so carefree.

Don't worry, my next post will be about the struggle of learning real life skills again as we adjust to our real summer schedule.  I know you're on the edge of your seat!

Soccer time

Swimming may not be Joel's favorite sport, but he takes instruction well trying to do what his coaches tell him to do, improving his strokes and times over the last couple of years, and making friends.  Most of the time he seems to be having fun, even when it's hard work, so I'm not yet convinced that it's the right thing to do to let him quit the sport.  But I'm at least open to discussion.

In the meantime, we've been introducing him to soccer, per his request.  I'm so new to the sport that I don't even know how to dress for spectating.  After the first practice I was so chilled to the bone that I spent the rest of the night huddled in my electric snuggie.  I worry that he's a bit older than most of the other beginners, but he doesn't seem to mind much, yet.  He runs around for an hour and has big smiles on his face most of the time.  His enthusiasm is exactly what I've been hoping for.  It's a little early, but I guess I should start looking for a solar-powered snuggie.  

55 Degrees F

I love that boys aren't deterred by cold, wet and nasty spring weather.

Sad Day

Today, Joel quit swimming.  He was supposed to have a swim meet tonight.  It broke my heart to see his times seeded in the heat sheet and his events go by while he sat in the stands.  :(
The silver (or was it platinum?) lining is Jamie steadfastly committing himself to the sport and bettering his times tonight.  He did not give in to his big brother's influence.  Good for him!

Lego Birthday Party

For Jamie's 7th Birthday, he asked for another Lego Birthday Party.

 Best tasting cupcakes ever, made by mom mom, of course!

 Some stuff to keep kids busy if they got tired of sunshine.

These little buckets were for stuffing with Legos and candy.

 This cute cheese and cucumber idea was a hit at someone else's party.  Not so much here.

 The weather was gorgeous, so we spread out a blanket full of Legos and let the kids do what they do best: build and play games.

Rainy Day Crafts

I have a bag of "rainy day" craft kits that the kids have been snooping around for months, asking me when they could do one.  Today was our first rainy day off in a long while, so out go my excuses and bring on the paint!

It makes me happy to reflect on how the boys will have this fond memory of growing up.