Summer time

The good news is that it’s been over a week since the start of summer and we’re all still alive.  Summer is officially in full swing.  We’ve had our fair share of battles and our attempts at family fun.  We’re getting into new routines and trying to learn not to press one another’s hot buttons.  We’ve had six successful days of swim lessons, a splash pad playdate, a beach get together, golf lessons, the start of the school Boost Program and an afternoon with Mamie.  We’ve spent many nights enjoying later bedtimes and family bike rides just before bed.  I’m working hard to wear them out so bedtime is not such a dreaded task.  While the boys fight big and hard, they truly do enjoy the company of one another.  I’ve caught many tender moments of Aiden and Chris inching toward one another unknowingly while sitting on the couch.  Jake’s always got a buddy (or someone to steal something with) and I’ve always got someone to talk to (or argue with!)

Maybe this summer thing isn’t so bad after all.  Day one was a flop.  I selfishly longed for the ability to quickly run an errand with only one in tow.  I felt robbed of my work and quiet time while Jake napped and I found myself staying up much later, cleaning a larger mess, washing additional loads of laundry and picking up endless toys but ya know what,  I’m learning to let go and learning to enjoy.

In other news (since I started writing this post 5 days ago and am just sitting to finish it now) the big boys has “the best weekend ever” at Grammie and Dziadzu’s.  I had a class for work on Friday afternoon so Grammie came to the rescue to help watch the boys and Aiden and Chris went back to Belchertown with her afterward.  They LOVE their time there.  Jake enjoyed some one on one fun time with Mike and I and we even snuck in a few projects.  Sunday we celebrated a belated Father’s Day for my dad and had the chance to see baby Andrew, Laura and Eric.  It’s always so much fun but the time always seems to pass way too quickly.

The week is off to a good but busy start.   Aiden and Chris started the Boost Program through the Suffield Schools.  It’s a free summer supplement to get the kids excited about practicing what they’ve learned and to help them prepare for the upcoming grade.  The boys saw so many friends and were excited to be back at school.  The playground time after Boost was an added bonus.  We came home for lunch and headed out to swim.  Chris and I wrapped up the day with a date night at Six Flags.  Just me and my second born out for a night on the town and we may have got a little lost on the way home, finding ourselves at the ice cream parlor (do people still call it that?!?) I’m loving these chances for one on one time even if it means that we’re waiting in hour long lines crowded by germy little ones just to ride the jungle safari.