So... since my family left, we've had long days where every moment seems packed in with something fun. We've had days (more recently, and thanks to the summer thunderstorms) where we're inside and we clean and read books most the day (the boys love their summer reading program through the library where they earn stickers and prizes for reading). Either way, it's just so nice to make the days our own. The day isn't broken into chunks due to school, and the weeks are hardly any different than our weekends since every day is play day together (and because Travis works every day so that never changes). We love it. I live for summer. And it's weird to think that by this time next week we'll be starting our second day of driving and rolling into Utah, where we'll spend the rest of our summer.
Weeks of June 12-18th
Moments to remember:
While doing yard work the wind picked up and blew the bag of grass into Maddix's face while we were dumping it and he went inside rubbing his eye vigorously. Shortly after, Travis arrived home and had to remove several blades of grass that were gooping to his eye, and after that his eyes were so swollen he couldn't open them. We had to use ice, medicine, a shower, and lay him in bed the rest of the day!
Having a group of friends over for assorted water games in the front yard!
Library reading/craft hour
Summer nights at ball games
To always use Neosporin! While playing in the yard with the boys, a stick popped up and scraped the top of my toe; I thought nothing of it. By the next night my toe had a staff infection; it was painful. I was on crutches, antibiotics, and we had to keep slicing/draining the toe. Never again, please!
(However, Maddix and Aaron shown through as little gentlemen during my time of need, and Travis got to use his wonderful skills to keep up from a giant hospital bill; tender mercies)
Haircuts! Believe it or not, Aaron woke up every day and crossed off another day down on the calendar until his haircut. At the salon, he spun in endless circles in the big chair talking about how he'd get a sucker at the end and have a cool haircut like Krew and Nash (two of his friends)!
The "Zoo Man" show at the library: The boys got to learn about animals, then hold a giant python, which they LOVED!
A special outing to the park: Maddix ran into a friend from school at the park, and instead of leaving Aaron in the dust (which sometimes happens in the excitement of a new friend), I watched him tenderly grab his brother's hand anytime he fell behind. He'd help him up any play set that was too steep, and included him in all their games; my heart soared to see their love for each other.
THE YARD SALE: This was the mother of all events. The previous week our neighbor Susan and I somehow came to talking about the boys perhaps selling some of their things in her garage sale. The boys quickly went through their room and toy room to collect a few boxes of extra books and toys we didn't use/need, as well as took a small "business loan" (we even shook hands) to purchase lemonade mix so they could sell lemonade:)
I agreed to sit with them as long as they'd like to run their stand and make money. I figured they'd stay to maybe lunch (we started at 9am). Maddix diligently sat at his post until 4:3pm when a storm moved in and we were forced to clean our stuff up for the day... he was amazing.
He started out shy, and unsure about the whole thing, and by the end he was yelling across to ppl, "would you like to buy some lemonade??" and always ending in, "Thank you; have a nice day!" And people here were so generous. Even Aaron stuck around most the time, either in his chair being in charge of the money box (his very important co-captain job), or on the blanket coloring next to us.
The next morning Maddix even set back out to sell for an hour before we had to leave to the airport to pick up my step-sister, Tessa.
Tell you what, the boys worked hard. They learned about loans, change, having customers, and now they get to learn about tithing (a little money we pull aside religiously), savings, and the joy of spending... they loved the whole experience!!
THE YARD SALE: This was the mother of all events. The previous week our neighbor Susan and I somehow came to talking about the boys perhaps selling some of their things in her garage sale. The boys quickly went through their room and toy room to collect a few boxes of extra books and toys we didn't use/need, as well as took a small "business loan" (we even shook hands) to purchase lemonade mix so they could sell lemonade:)
I agreed to sit with them as long as they'd like to run their stand and make money. I figured they'd stay to maybe lunch (we started at 9am). Maddix diligently sat at his post until 4:3pm when a storm moved in and we were forced to clean our stuff up for the day... he was amazing.
He started out shy, and unsure about the whole thing, and by the end he was yelling across to ppl, "would you like to buy some lemonade??" and always ending in, "Thank you; have a nice day!" And people here were so generous. Even Aaron stuck around most the time, either in his chair being in charge of the money box (his very important co-captain job), or on the blanket coloring next to us.
The next morning Maddix even set back out to sell for an hour before we had to leave to the airport to pick up my step-sister, Tessa.
Tell you what, the boys worked hard. They learned about loans, change, having customers, and now they get to learn about tithing (a little money we pull aside religiously), savings, and the joy of spending... they loved the whole experience!!
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So fun! Mercedes would love to do a lemonade stand, but we don't get enough traffic. Can't wait until you guys get here!
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