Where is Summer?

Seriously it is almost July and we are dealing with mid 60s and rain!!! Every week for the past month we have had 1-2 days of nice sunny warm weather- the rest has been cool and rainy. What gives? I feel like I'm being cheated out of summer. Actually I'm not too sad seeing as I am working 4 days a week, there is not much time to enjoy the nice weather, but I would feel less guilty for putting the kids in day camp if I knew they were outside having fun- kwim?

Speaking of daycare/day camp-last week was the first week of it for he three wee ones. While Owen and Hannah took to it well (it is where they went to daycare and preschool, so very familiar for them)-it has not gone well for Izzy. We knew she would have a hard time seeing as she has been home with Daddy for almost 2 yrs. But I was not expecting her to go on a hunger strike! She would not eat there for 2 days- she was one hungry girl those days when she got home. She also slept horribly (which means we did not sleep well either) and was extremely clingy- all to be expected but I feel so BAD! We'll see how this week goes now that she has had 3 days off (oh boy- I so do not envy Charlie for doing the drop off)!

The weather better get nice and soon- we have a full July! A few playdates when the kiddos are not at day camp. Raspberry picking. Pool party at the grandparents. Lots of weekend activities (Brown/Chau's camp, camping out at Heather's, Harrison's Baptism, and camping out at Beaver Brook). BTW anyone shocked with all the camping out? I am! So not me, but the kids like it and to be honest only the Beaver Brook one is technically camping and it involves a huge campsite with tons to do (I hope!).

Here's to next time and nicer weather!

Back Again

Wow- I feel like we have been go go go. We returned from Montreal on the 7th, I worked that week and now off on vacation this week. We had a wonderful BBQ with friends on Saturday. Monday and Tuesday we spent in North Conway NH. Stayed at the Hampton Inn (free continental breakfast too if you are penny pinching like we are) which had a great kiddie pool and water slide perfect for all 3- Owen worked on swimming under water and Izzy just worked on walking around and climbing out. Then they had a slighter deeper pool with 2 large winding water slides that Charlie and Hannah loved . I even tried them out and have to admit they were a lot of fun! We also hit Storyland- if you go the last 3 hours of any day they give you coupons to return for a full day anytime that season- so it's like you get 3 hours free. Since it was so rainy Monday we went for the last 3 hours and then spent all of Tuesday there- breaking it up with a great picnic lunch we had packed. It was the perfect time to go too- no lines since MA and NH were still in school. We were able to walk onto rides and on some just stay on to ride over and over again.

Today we went bike riding and the kids have just been playing around- sometimes nicely together and other times to the death of one or the other. I did run away fro a few minutes to Bath and Body- they are still having their sale and I needed some more body wash and lotion.

We also worked on the plans for the rest of our summer -mainly when the kids were going to go to daycare/summer camp. They will be doing 3 days a week starting next week and until the second week in August. Except Izzy she will be staying on but increased to 4 days/week once school starts. Wow do we have a lot planned (as mentioned in previous post). Looking forward to some fun times with friends and family.

We are also working on the after school schedule. It will be a whole new adjustment with us both out of the house everyday. H and O can do an after school program a few days a week, I hope to be home 2 days a week and we will be calling on grandparents to do some too.

Enjoy the slide show of a few of our June Moments!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Long Time, No Blog

Wow it has been ages since I have blogged and with no good excuse except for life getting in the way as usual. I'm much better at Facebooking - it's quicker.

Where has the time gone- it is the middle of June and I have nothing to show for the last 5 1/2 months! We had some hard times/decisions and thought we had life squared away but then- nope- had to rethink everything again. Luckily we are not ones to burn bridges and we try to remember that everything happens for a reason.

Charlie

-thought he had a job with his old company (different department)- had a verbal offer, but stupid human resources had to re-post position as it was not originally posted for remote which is what they were offering him. So we thought long and hard and he had decided to not go to school for his masters in teaching and take the job- the money and benefits were going to come in very handy. It was a tough decision but he was doing what we needed, money has been tight with only one income since March. Well after they re-posted they hired somebody internally and we had to go back to plan B.

-So Charlie will be starting school and student teaching in August- so we had to rethink childcare, budget (as will still be one income until maybe next fall, if he gets a position) and such. I'm going to trust it was meant to be, for him to be a teacher. Everything happens for a reason, right? He really will be an awesome teacher!

On the good side they did offer him some remote contract work for the summer, despite not hiring him full time. So there will be some income this summer- although it means a scramble to find daycare/summer programs for the 3 little ones. All three will go back to our good old standby daycare for about 8 weeks. They do some fun summer activities for the older/school aged children and our children know and are comfortable with the teachers. We are taking the first and last weeks off to do stuff as a family and they may take another week off for soccer camp.

Erica

- working 4 days a week. We are very busy/steady- it will be tough going during the summer and down a doctor, but in this economy sometimes you just have to work harder and not spread out the profits too thin amongst many. I was feeling a bit down and overwhelmed/burnt out- but have overcome those feelings and back onto really liking my job. (good thing, as we can only handle one job change for now). Got all the doctor evals done. Have a few new protocols to write up.

-went to Montreal for some continuing education (have to have so many credits every year to keep my license). We left children behind with my parents and Charlie and I had a blast. Have not been away without children in at least 3 years. The classes/lectures were very good and I learned a few new things too.

-did two 6x9 photo albums for Hannah's teachers' gifts- I hope they like them. I think they came out good if I do say so myself. Still need to work on Owen's teachers', I figured since he was going back for the summer I had until the end of summer to do them.

-besides above albums have not scrapped since May3! That is crazy!!!!

Hannah

-finished kindergarten this past Friday with glowing marks and comments. She was always the one chosen to read in church. She is so stinking smart.

-has one summer project to do- a treasure box to fill over the summer to help her remember all she did this summer.

-she really enjoyed soccer camp at Bowdoin College this past spring and hopefully will do another one this summer.

-is an expert at riding her large 2 wheeler without training wheels

-is getting very good at swimming

-still loves to dress up in skirts and dresses (I'm still trying to figure out where this girly girl came from)

-is interested in learning to play the harp or flute

-will be starting horseback riding lessons

Owen

-graduated from kindergarten (photos are on my Facebook page)

-also loved soccer camp and hopes to do more this summer

-interested in learning to play the piano

-also an expert at riding his small 2 wheeler without training wheels

-also getting better at swimming

-still collecting every snail, lizard and frog he finds (he has yet to catch a snake)

-still loving all things Star Wars

Isabel

-turns 2 the end of this month (how the heck did that happen?)

-talking much more and forming sentences

-learning to ride her tricycle

-doing everything her big brother and sister do (much to their frustration)

-still cracking me up with her faces

-and scaring me with her daredevil adventures (climbs the much too high ladder on the playsets)

-working on stopping sucking her thumb (she's really not on board with this one yet)

Summer plans

-StoryLand

-Boston Museum of Science

-Boston Aquarium

-Art with Heather

-soccer camp

-St Johns Bazaar

-Heather's Midsummer dance and camp out

-Harrison's baptism

-trips to various beaches