A bite of the bittersweet

I've really been trying to savor this summer. Make the most of every day because it's the LAST one before baby "cinco" comes along. Does anyone else ever feel like preparing for a baby is preparing for life as you know it to end?! I do.

So I'm feeling a little sad that we're almost out of summertime. I kinda like eating breakfast whenever we want to, showering when I get around to it, not having to be home at lunchtime every single day. Now it's cloudy, school starts in less than a week and my fall calendar is packed, despite Lydia deciding not to play soccer this year and cutting out all Carver's private therapies. I was trying to downsize and simplify, but I guess I just traded for doctor's appointments. :) I'm 29 weeks today! Yikes.

I have moments of just loving summer and not ever wanting it to end and moments (at the store with 4 wild monkeys) that I'm counting down the days til this crew finds somewhere else to be! Instead of feeling torn, I'm relishing the feeling. I love a good tragic novel. Gone with the Wind, Anna Karenina, Jane Eyre. Those are meaty stories that really leave me satisfied. I loved the end of Hunger Games because it wasn't all happily ever after. What does this reveal about me?!! I'm sure I don't want to know.

I'm applying the same principle to the cooler weather, the darker mornings and the start of school. Isn't it delicious that things change?! Isn't it wonderful to feel wistful for warm summer days and anxious for pumpkins, soup and school all at the same time? I'm just eating it up this year.

But oh, doesn't this look like fun?! I'm sure gonna miss these days!!

Summer 2011

Where has the summer gone? It's finally warm and sunny, just in time for the kids to start school in a couple weeks. But despite the clouds and sweatshirts, we've been busy having fun. And I've learned a couple summer truths I always, always forget:

1. We NEVER do all the worksheets and school work that I think we will. Like hardly any.

2. It's really asking too much of myself to tackle massive projects with 4 kids running around this place. I'm doing pretty good to mop the floor, do laundry and feed us.

3. Sibling relationships are complicated. Either you scream and fight or play for hours happily. Both on the same day, sometimes within minutes of each other. I think this is normal. I really hope it is.

4. Playdates are good for everyone, but somehow I never get around to setting them up.

5. Weather does NOT determine our activities. Take a sweatshirt and go to the beach, dang it!

6. I'm happier when I get up way too early and go on a run/walk with my friends, even if I crash on the couch at 3 pm.

7. We are almost as busy in the summer as we are in the school year - I just get to call the shots more. :)

8. I take lots more pictures, but never blog.

Here's a few things we've been up to:

Grace is learning to ride her bike w/o training wheels because all the other little girls in the neighborhood are doing it and she wants to follow along. :)

Lydia got braces - and a cute new hair cut, just not in the same picture.

Here's Grace's new haircut - she's been asking for 6 months to have short hair and I told her she had to wait until after her birthday so we'd have pony tails all summer. I don't really know why that mattered, this is SO much easier than long hair. And darling. But don't tell her - she's a vain little peacock these days! :)

playing slip-n-slide, water guns and all sorts of mischief with Dad

Ellie was BAPTIZED! Hurray for her! Such a beautiful, special thing. She asked Lydia to give a talk on baptism, which was sweet. Lydia did a great job, Ellie was super happy about being baptized and we were so proud of her. Both sets of grandparents and even more family was able to be here for the special day.

ice cream cones

Our first trip to Ocean Shores

Our first trip to Lake Chelan

sending off Grandma to Portland on the train

4th of July - Carver liked it better with ear protection. Our neighborhood is OUT OF CONTROL loud and crazy with fireworks. Poor kid.

I had more pictures, but they won't upload and I'm all done trying. Maybe in a couple months I'll try again. :)