Summer is Here!

Since the weather has been so nice since April, it seems like summer has been here for months...with one exception - Carter and I were both still in school.  Finally it's nothing but free time for the kids and I.  So far, we are loving the freedom of summer!

Last Wednesday, we were able to spend time with the Donnenwerth kids - Macy and Drew.  It was so nice to just go to the park and hang out with Amy and the kids.  Is it possible to hope that both sets of kids fall in love and get married?

Brynn and Drew

Carter and Macy

All four + Carter's train

We've also been spending quite a bit of time outside.  Afternoon snacks on the front step have been almost a daily ritual.    

Softball season is in full-swing (no pun intended)  and we've spent a little bit of time at the fields.  Last Saturday, Cary played in a tournament in Marshalltown.  The team did really well and my awesome hubby even hit a home run!  In between the morning and afternoon games, we went to the Principal Charity Classic golf tournament with a couple from Cary's office.  Such a great time!!

On Monday, the kids and I went the library to pick out some new books. "Teeth Are Not for Biting" for Brynn and "Bear on the Train" for Carter.  Sooo telling of our children's personalities. Afterwards, we walked/biked around the pond by the library.  It's such a pretty area!  After stopping for a break to watch the fountain, we walked to City Hall and purchased a season pass to the pool.  I had debated whether or not we'd use it, but so far we've been to the pool twice this week!  On Monday afternoon, I took the kids to the Clive Aquatic Center.  We went right after naps and came home at dinner time.  PERFECT!  The pool wasn't busy at all, both kids stayed in the shallow area so I could easily keep an eye on both of them, and we were able to do the lazy river.  Carter even rode in his own tube!

On Tuesday, Brynn had her first-ever class - Summer Songs with my great friend Alicia!  Since our lovely little girl is a bit ornery, I wasn't sure how she'd do...but she participated well, sang along, and danced around the room.  This girl sure does love music!  Since Tuesday, she's been singing her version of "The Wheels on the Bus" and doing all of the actions too.  She may not be able to talk, but she can carry a tune! :)  Then that afternoon, we went to Holiday Park pool with Bobbi, Joey, Maddox and Saylor.  Another successful pool trip - and Carter had so much fun with the boys.

On Wednesday, I did some housework in the morning and then we took lunch to Cary at work.  After naps, we played in the front yard for several hours.  These two had so much fun racing through the front yard and both falling and rolling through the grass on purpose.  Needless to say, we had lots of grass stains last night.  It made me so happy to see that the kids were enjoying each other so much.  That hasn't happened alot, so I'm hoping this summer will create some great bonding time for these two!

Today, we decided to head to the zoo.  I bought a season pass, so I definitely want to get my money's worth.  We took our neighbor Joey along, and the kids were so great.  Joey is such a nice boy and Carter just follows him around and looks up to him so much.  Although this is our third time to the zoo in the past 2 months, we fed the birds for the first time. That was awesome!  Birds were landing on our heads, shoulders, hands, etc.  Carter literally squealed with delight.  Brynn was a little aggressive with them and after one landed on her shoulder, she decided that she was scared of the birds.  Sure hope I didn't scar her for life...  All-in-all, it was a great day!!!

The only other new thing at our house is that we've started a chore chart for Carter.  I found this one on Pinterest and it has been working really well!!  It's amazing how excited he gets to get a sticker - but even more, he really seems to like being helpful.  I taught him how to wipe off the kitchen table and sweep the crumbs into his hand...and he does it wonderfully!  He even has been asking for additional chores so he can get more stickers!  Notice the random stickers on the bottom...those are from Brynn.  She thinks she needs to put stickers on there too...maybe I'll consider a chore chart for her in the near future too???

So far, summer has been wonderful.  Carter hasn't really been napping, but he rests in our bed and watches PBS for an hour or so.  That gives me time to read my book, do some laundry, or just relax.  It's looking like the next two months are going to be great!