So, I took two months off. I deserved it. I mean 10 posts so far this year? That’s like 8 more posts than I usually do in a year. I know there are probably some of you who wondered if something terrible had happened to me. A valid worry as it is summer and that means I have three very active, crazy boys home all the time. But not to worry, I am surviving the summer. Here are some of the things that are pulling me through these months.
Rookie Baseball
We enrolled Rubin James into Rookie Baseball this spring. It was so fun to see him learn a sport and be part of a team. His coach was a former Marine and acted like it. My favorite line from Coach B: “Rubin! If I see one more dirt mound being made over there, the whole team will do 10 push-ups!” Ha ha – classic Coach B!
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| Coach B no doubtedly trying to decide if Rubin James needs to do some pushups. After the first couple of games, RJ no longer needed that tee and could hit from a pitch. |
After a few of the first games, Rubin James was getting discouraged that he wasn’t doing very well, so Dad did a couple of hardcore practice sessions with him and after that, Rubin James did much better! He learned a good lesson about practicing and working to achieve something. Plus it was a complete riot watching 5-year-olds play baseball. Some kids would tag a runner and say, “You’re out!” only to have us realize that they didn’t even have a ball in their glove to tag with! You want entertainment? Go to a rookie baseball game.
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| Our little Rookie! |
Swimming Lessons
I find my kids do so much better with something to do on a regular basis. Swimming lessons have provided that outlet this summer. I have always had a fear of water, and consequently I do not swim well – or at all. Okay, maybe I freak out when my face gets wet. But, I do not want my kids to be like that. So they will take swim lessons every summer, every year, until they are not afraid. On the plus side, they love it.
The Library
So we have a pretty awesome library. They have this summer children’s reading program. If your children read every day for June and July, they get a halfway prize (which turned out to be a thrilling glow-in-the-dark plastic bug), a free book, and a ticket to a pool party. Of course, for some reason the pool party is from 8:30-10 p.m. on a Wednesday night. But we’re still going - I mean, a pool party is a pool party! And that’s not all. If your child goes to 8 library activities (storytime, crafts, etc.) they will get a ticket to Trick-or-Treat in July. Pretty great, huh? It’s been fun for the kids to keep reading and work toward something fun. By the way, I’ll have you know that we are currently only one sticker away from the July Trick-or-Treat.
Reading
Since I’ve had kids, I’ve read maybe three books a year on average. But this past Christmas Rubin gave me a Nook. It was the present I never knew I wanted. Now I have read 21 books so far this year. I forgot how much I love reading! I’ll also have you know that I am part of the adult summer reading program at the library. They have a drawing once a week and as long as you’ve read a book that week, your name gets entered. It just so happens that I’ve been entered in all of them, but have had no luck in winning the prizes. Yet. There are three weeks left and then a grand prize at the end. All I can say is that I better win something (besides the free bookbag that everyone received as long as they read 3 books).
We’ve also done many other great things this summer such as water parks, the zoo, miniature golf, Lagoon, frog catching, and taking naps (my favorite!)
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| Uriah having a conversation with some sort of animal (and no, it is not a kangaroo) |
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| Rubin and Graham on the Airplanes |
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| Graham on Bulgy the Whale |
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| Frog Catching (actually turned into bug catching since we couldn't find any frogs) |
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| Graham taking a nap at Lagoon. |
I think we can all agree that the McDougal Summer of 2012 will be counted as a great success, possibly the greatest summer of all time. Only time will tell.
