I love, love, LOVE summer! The greatest thing about being a mom is staying home with the kids in the summer time. I get to go to the pool, the park, the library, out to Sonics, the free movies, to play in the sun, to occasionally relax in the warm afternoons by reading, taking a nap or watching a movie with the kids. I'm looking forward to our camping trips and any other day trips or adventures we decide to take. I am so lucky! It's like being a kid again!

On Thursday we went to the wading pool while Michael was in swim team. I was surprised by how brave Eliza was. The water does not bother her at all. She could fall or have a wave go over her head and she's just up and laughing. She wanted to crawl around like Emma and Merian and wanted to be in the middle like them, even though it is deeper there. When Emma tried to lead her closer to the side she gave her trademark, "no!" She doesn't really shout it but she is sure of herself. Later that day while we were eating lunch at the park she was excited to finish so she could throw her garbage away. She had so much fun she threw everyone else's away too!

Megan got back from girls camp today. The leaders all told me how cute and happy she is. She's just everyone's favorite!

Michael is enjoying summer band and swim team. I'm so proud of all his hard work!

Derek has been telling knock, knock jokes all day. He is so funny!

Emma and Merian recently got a queen bed from Grandma Lewis. It worked out great because they were sharing a twin bed anyway. Now they are even off the ground! To celebrate they have been doing an extra good job of keeping there room clean. They're awesome!

Did I get everybody? Here is a sample of our daily summer schedule so we can remember it years from now.

5:00 I get up, go running, clean the house
6:30 Nate leaves for work so he can get home early and be with us!
Wake up Meg and Mike
7:00 Meg and Mike leave for summer band
7:15 Wake up Emma and Merian
7:45 Leave for tennis
Derek and Eliza ride scooters and play with Asher during tennis
9:15 Get home, tidy rooms, practice piano, laundry (the kids are starting to do their own, I hope this helps with the piles that sometimes/often accumulate inside/outside the laundry room), school work, Grandma Lewis comes over to work with Merian
10:00 Snack
10:30 Leave to pick up Meg and Mike
Swim team/play at Memorial park or in the wadding pool
11:45 Kids eat lunch at the park
12:30 Reading time/nap time
Quiet time/chore/project
3:00 Snack
Start dinner, the kids are going to take turns helping me
5:00 Dinner

We are planning on making each night of the week for something. Monday is FHE, the rest of the nights can be designated for yard work, swimming, family bike rides, and other fun things.

I didn't include going to Sonics for Happy Hour (this usually co insides with mowing the lawn), the bookmobile and park, mowing the lawn, the water park, and other fun thing we are doing.

Like I said in the beginning, I love summer! I hope I love home school just as much!