Summer Recap

Last week as I was mentally preparing myself to send my baby to kindergarten, I laid in bed and thought over our summer.  When I set out last May, I had a PLAN for how our 3 months of intense togetherness would look.  In my semi-emotional state all I could see was the ways that I'd failed to provide a fun, educational, exciting or social summer.  And so I have forced myself to review our summer through pictures to get a realistic picture of how we spent our time - and to give myself a bit of credit and peace of mind.

First things first: we took THREE week-long vacations this year.  I mean, who does that?  In a way, I felt like I was constantly packing, executing or unpacking from a trip.  They were totally worth it though. 

Let's start back in May, when the kids and I attended an "end of the school year party" at Wonderwild.  Tons of kids, Chick-Fil-A, Pizza and Cookies.  It was awesome.

We also started swimming all the way back in May.  Hard to believe the water that currently feels like a bath tub was frigid back then.  I was proud when my son instinctively laid on the red bricks to warm up - just like I used to do at the "old pool."  Now we can't step on those bricks...

We finally caught some puddles (new neighborhood drains much more efficiently than the old one) for stomping.  These were actually pool overflow puddles, so this was the cleanest stomping ever.

Annabelle graduated to her big girl bed and she and I spent lots of time cuddling post nap.  We loved not having to wake her up to get Sam from school!

We completed our annual blueberry picking trip.  This year's picking was AMAZING and we scored 11.4 pounds in record time.

Sam spent a week at soccer camp - well, 1.5 hours for 5 days.  He enjoyed himself.

We played in the sprinkler a few times when we were bored with the pool.

We repeated our favorite outing: a morning at the Children's Museum followed by a picnic at "the mountain" (Hermann Park) and soccer at the top.

I put them to work a couple of times, washing the car and the jogging stroller.  They thought both were awesome.  "I get my OWN SPONGE?!"

We did our best to connect with friends who don't live near us anymore.  It was harder than I anticipated to fit our playdates in this year, and that's part of what was getting me down.  But we got a few in, and the outings were both fun and exhausting.

The kids also got to attend a few "Terrific Tuesdays" (like a one day Mother's Day Out) and Sam went to one Parents Day Out at Westwood Gymnastics. 

At the beginning of the summer we were still playing outside, but by the end we were just sick of being hot.  We started staying inside more and getting a bit more sick of being on top of each other.  These hard days at the end seemed to be all that I can remember.  I'd be lying if I didn't admit that it was a long summer, and I got quite fed up with breaking up the bickering between my two littles.  It didn't help that Sam finally quit napping in the last few months.  But we DID have fun.  We did color and read and do a few crafts.

And I do miss Sam.  Day 2.

But I also love the quiet...    

The River 2014

This year will be marked as the year that Sam learned to "do the river."  Once he had a chance the first day to warm up a little bit (literally, the water is a brisk 72ish constantly), he knocked out one milestone after another.  He floated in his own tube - in multiple positions.  He even like floating freely, that is, without an adult's foot or hand guiding his tube, in the open areas.  He LOVED jumping on and off the big raft (RIP big raft, inflatables never do last) and jumping to Uncle Benton until Benton cried uncle.  After some encouragement, he finally put his feet down and realized that he could touch bottom by the dock (ok, so I think he actually hit the bottom once during a jump, he really wouldn't believe us when we told him he could touch).  So touch he did, and then he walked UPSTREAM  to the dock stairs, you know, so he could jump again.  He was so very proud of himself on that one, he went up to the house to get Papa and Daddy so they could watch him do it.  On one of the very last days he finally got brave enough to float short distances downstream with just his lifejacket on.  My prediction is that next year he'll be brave enough for the snorkel (I mean, the water is really brisk, I can see why he doesn't want to stick his face in it). He now knows the difference between Davis Dock, Davis Landing and Leroy Brown Park.  Took me a couple of years to figure that out.

Although her's may not look quite as dramatic, Annabelle marked some milestones this year as well.  After the first run, she graduated from the boat, which means staying completely dry, to sitting on a lap in either a chair or a tube.  She quickly learned to tolerate the water, and to love splashing others that floated by.  She was super excited to find Thomas water shoes in just the right size!  On the last two days we discovered her true happy place on the river: snacking on a long run.  She really didn't love hanging out in the water, but she encouraged Sam and participated in some jumping rounds every once in awhile.

She also found a happy place on the swing.  The ropes on this thing are so long that the arc is one of the biggest I've every experienced on a swing.  It really feels like you're flying.  For the girl who has had to be forcefully removed from playground swings since infancy, this was pure bliss.

Poor girl was not so happy when we set off the fireworks leftover from fourth of July.  Luckily for her, Grammy was willing to hang inside with her.  Mommy wasn't.  But you know, when your nephew happens to be born while you're in the middle of no where with a stash of fireworks on hand, sometimes you just gotta do, in spite of your child's fears.

The kids loved playing with all the baskets of toys that have probably been in that house for 30+ years.  The loved sitting at the counter for breakfast and playing with their energetic aunt and uncle.
 

I blame both of them for popping the big raft.  But honestly, the hysterical laughs and joy that came with the half hour of insane bouncing, jumping and splashing was worth it.  We were all having a blast with them.  The took golf cart rides with everyone and gained and appreciation for throwing rocks in the river from Davis Landing.  Sam can now recognize the dump after a couple of trash runs.

We all ate too much food.  I'm still running off the blissful indulgence that was the week at the river.

Unfortunately Chris worked a lot on this trip.  I mean, a lot.  Like, he might not need to take any vacation days if you add up all the hours.  At first I was pretty frustrated with him, thinking that he should have worked ahead, shouldn't be prioritizing work over vaca, etc.  But by the middle of the week I just felt bad for him - and then I felt bad for being frustrated.  Poor guy was waking up at 3 or 4 am to get work done and then have family time, by the end of the week even that wasn't cutting it.  Stupid deadlines.

And that is the reason that we decided to stay 2 days longer than everyone else.  The rest of the fam left for Sarasota when we had to vacate the rental, but we stayed in Dave and Debbie's place for an extra two nights.  I am so glad that we did.  FINALLY Chris was able to get a few work-free days to relax and enjoy being at his favorite place.  And it was so WONDERFUL to be in such a relaxing place as just our little foursome.  On Sunday morning we took a long run - we had not seen the river so empty all week.  We did not see another tuber, boat or swimmer the entire run.  It was us, the birds and the turtles and all of the lovely river sounds.  We set ourselves up as a little flotilla, all linked up together.  As we floated by the rental house the woman sitting on the dock told us we looked like a picture postcard floating by.  It really felt almost perfect.  But no cameras on our float, so that one will live in my memory!

VBS 2014: The Greatest Treasure Hunt

Jesus is our Greatest Treasure...

DUWEGO!

That is, if you are not a 5-year-old boy who misunderstood the first time and subsequently refused to believe that everyone else in the sanctuary was shouting "EUREKA!" every time that phrase was uttered during our week-long adventure.  But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Last week was VBS at our church!  Really, its one of our favorite weeks of the summer.  Exhausting, yes (Sam took 2 naps, I took 3!) and a lot of work for a lot of people, but its also a lot of fun.  Its fun for me to be around so many moms for 5 mornings in a row, fun activities for the kiddos, just fun!

Both kiddos were pretty excited to find one of their bedtime songs on this year's CD - they both already knew the words!

This year was Sam's first in what I now refer to as "Big VBS."  He did the elementary stations, just like the 5th graders.  And he LOVED it.  Our Children's Ministry Staff wrote the entire VBS this year - including the music - and they did a great job.  Sam was totally into the treasure hunting, decoding in his Field Notebook, experimenting in the Field Lab, he even learned some new-to-him bible stories!  He put solid effort into memorizing his bible verse and we had some good discussions each day about what he learned.  He even played archeologist one day!

 

Aunt Betty came out of a short VBS retirement just to be Sam's Crew Leader this year.  She really prefers leading groups of 5-year-olds, so this was their year to be together.  I'm so thankful that they got to spend this time together, they have a special relationship.  True Story: On Thursday afternoon Sam said that he wouldn't be sad for VBS to be over, except for Aunt Betty because he liked seeing her every day. 

This was the first year that Sam and his buddy Miles weren't in a crew together, but that didn't stop them from slipping back into old routines while their moms wrapped up each day!

Annabelle also got to enjoy a VBS first  this year - her first year in "Preschool VBS."  Turns out we have so many young families, and young mom's who bring their littles when they volunteer, that it is worth our while to create an entire parallel program just for our preschoolers.  This week often proves to be A LOT for the two-year-olds, as very few of them are used to being in a group setting 5 days in a row.  Sam was only so-so on the experience when he was two.  But I must say, my baby girl rocked it.  I was in and out of her class and room all week and she never missed a beat, never asked me to stay or got upset when I left, yet often leaned out her door (with the help of an adoring Jr. Counselor) to wave at me.  She participated in all her activities, paid attention to her teachers and got bits and pieces of her stories!

Really, she was pumped to be included.  "I come too?  Where's my BBS?"  (translation: Don't leave me behind!  Where is my VBS shirt?!)  She wore that little white shirt with pride every day!  She told me "I wuv BBS!" and asked to go back every day.  This girl is so ready for preschool!

This morning Annabelle asked if we would go to church today.  She didn't understand when I said no, and I guess it makes sense - the kids and I were up at the church 8 out of 10 days.  Sam is starting to feel like he owns the place, which could get dangerous here soon.  But when Mom has to be one of the first there and last to leave each day, and you hang out for 5 hours before it even starts so Mom can help prep, its only natural to start to feel at home.

Why so early and often?  Because I spent my week as Preschool Director.  Sounds so important, doesn't it?  I promise it sounds way more impressive than it was.  First, I was one of two, second, the station leaders do their own plans/planning and third, Patti and the "Big VBS" directors do the real heavy lifting.  But someone has to be there as an overseer/catchall, and I was happy to oblige.  Monday morning was a bit of a tricky start, but once we got some kinks worked out on day 2, it was seriously smooth sailing the rest of the week.  By Thursday, Julie and I actually had one of the easier jobs in the building!

Friday night we finally got to bring Daddy along to the VBS Oasis.  Dinner at the church, a short program and then a carnival outside.  They called all the directors up to the front to get flowers, which truly embarrassed me because I REALLY didn't do that much (see above).  But they are beautiful and smell amazing so I'll keep them.  Annabelle found her happy place, "jumping!  jumping!  Wook, I jumping!"  That's all she did.  Sam ran around between bouncy obstacle course and playing games that awarded prizes.  The boy will do anything for a piece of carnival crap!

We are all recovered now and will be pumped when VBS rolls around next year!

Big Girl Lesson

As much success and progress and Sam experienced at swim lessons last year, Annabelle seems to be on that track this summer.  Before we left for Hilton Head, she graduated from "Mommy-and-Me" lessons to the "by-instructor-permission-only" Tadpole class designed for kids to young for regular classes but too skilled for the baby pool.

I knew she was ready swimming wise, and after a few months at the facility with me and two years watching Sam, I knew she was comfortable in the environment.  But WHAT was going to happen when my not-yet-2.5-year-old was asked to walk through the doors by herself?

We prepped her, Sam and I both.  Explained, demonstrated, talked it up.  Got there early.  He took her close to the door to wait for the bell, he likes to be first through (shocker).

The bell rings and she SPRINTS back to me yelling, "Mommy da bell winging!  Da bell winging!"  So excited, but running the wrong way.  I walked her back, Sam was waiting just inside the door.  As I walked to the viewing window I heard him say "don't forget my sister!"  He walked with her as far as they let him, making sure she went the right way to find her teacher.

She rocked it.  Super confident the whole lesson.  Not one tear, not one hesitation.  Did everything she was asked, even back-floated a bit.  She and Sam waved at each other from their steps, and as they kicked by.  Only two in her class, both with older brothers in Sam's class, so the teacher stopped by to give high fives on the way to do monkey walks. 

When lessons were over, there was no lifeguard readily available to escort the tadpoles, so Ms. Heather (who taught Sam this spring), tapped Sam and asked him to walk his sister out.  He made sure she followed AND got her "wa-pop" (lollipop) at the door.  Sam rocked the big brother role today.

As I wrapped my shaking daughter in her towel I asked her if she had fun.  "Big swide!  I went down da big swide!"  Yes you did baby girl - you've been eyeing it for months and now you are a big girl who goes down the big slide.  I'm so proud of you!

4th of July Traditions

Well, in true Sivard Holiday form, it seems that our little family has developed a bit of a 4th of July Tradition.  This year's celebration looked an awful lot like last years.  Boring, you say?  Well it seems that even Sam appreciates some predictability year after year.

So the morning held our neighborhood bike parade, led by a local fire truck.  Enjoy these pictures, because they are the only ones I took all day - oops.  This year we actually knew some of our neighbors, which made the whole thing a lot more fun.  All told by the time we made it home, Sam scootered almost 2.5 miles (that with the swimming, not surprising he took a nap!).

The parade ends at the neighborhood pool and it is safe to say that this is the most action it sees all year (aside from swim meets).  We all had fun changing it up from the backyard pool, Sam rocked the diving board.  The kids ate more fruit snacks than I can count - I'm literally not kidding.  I lost count when Sam was at 5 packs.

The early afternoon found my husband going all MacGyver on our pool filter.  There may still be rope holding that thing together...

Then it was time for us to host another pool party.  This one tends to be well-attended for us - if you're in town, who doesn't want to swim on the 4th?!  As per usual, our kiddos had a blast, barely ate and our play room looked like a bomb exploded.  I set a new record for tiniest baby I've held - 5 pounds at 3 weeks old.  And no, she wasn't premature! 

Our guests trickled out starting around 7, but a few hung with us until almost midnight - we're so cool.  They hung on for our fireworks, which you can set off right in the street.  Sam enjoyed the sparklers and fireworks, Annabelle not so much.  Or at all.  That doesn't cover it - they literally terrified her.  She clung to me, shaking, wouldn't even look at them.  Ran inside with daddy at the first offer and gladly went to bed.  I think she had PTSD from it all, too - for two days every noise she heard sent her jumping into my arms (ice maker, car starting, thunder).  Today, 6 days after, is the first that she hasn't said "fire all gone?" before she even left her bed in the morning.  Poor girl!

But it was a fun day all around.  Can't wait for more of the same next year!