Outdoor living

As usual, this summer is flying by. I haven't even written about all the fun we are having. It really is such a blessing that I have been able to spend this time with my kids. We are really strapped financially, but in the end it is so worth it. The last two years of graduate school have really done me in. I have really needed the outdoors and the quality time with my two "crazies". Weston's first and second weeks of "school camp" (this is how we are reframing summer school) have gone well. He was pretty pissed off at us for signing him up without even asking him. "Who would do that?!" he said. The first day he was very excited to take the small bus. He came home with a smile, but really wasn't impressed with that type of camp. That night he went with my mother in law to her house and they went out to eat at Five Guys. I had to work. His second day he was even less enthused to go, but he did. This day my sister picked him up. Ella got a special day shopping in the morning with her aunt for her birthday clothes. In true Ella fashion she got some crazy outfits that were full of "bling" and color. That afternoon was filled with swimming in the pool. Wednesday I picked up Weston and we went straight to the beach (got to get it in while we still can!). Unfortunetly, he had to pee so badly that I forgot the sunscreen in the car. Thankfully I was the only one who burned...and I did it badly. We had a fun time though. We went to the other section of Rocky Neck and climbed all the rocks out to the sea. We were looking for crabs but didn't catch any. I didn't wear shoes because I thought it would be too slippery. Big Mistake. Ouch! Still it was a good time. Anytime on the beach is a good time. Thursday was the 4th! Woohoo! One of my favorite days of the year and this year it was extra awesome! We went to the Canterbury Parade as usual. Ella was actually with us this year. At the parade, one of Weston's teachers came by with a coupon for a free pony ride. We went home to cool off and have lunch (because it was horribly hot that day), and then went to get our pony rides. Afterwards we went to my friend Marie's house for a picnic. It was so much fun. Andy joined us later and everyone had a blast. The kids swam all afternoon and played with friends while we chatted with the adults. We tried to walk down and see fireworks over the pond, but there were only a few this year. Friday, Ava came over and we went to the pool. It was another hot one. We were going to go to the beach but it was too hot, we heard that many had been shut down the day before because of overcrowding, and two kids drowned on the fourth which made it scary for me. That night the girls went with me to the Tigers Game and helped me recruit foster parents. Well mostly they went to the gift shop and watched the game, but still it was fun. At the end of the game was fireworks. Really awesome fireworks! I also had them announce the girl's birthdays on the screen. Saturday, was Ella's family birthday party so I baked and cooked all day and dragged it all to my mom's house. It was a fun time. We just had immediate family which went well. The kids played with their cousin's and Ella got a lot of nice things. Mostly cash which she loved. Sunday, Ella was off to camp! I haven't seen her since. We spent the morning packing and buying the things we didn't have. That was pricey! Monday was back to school camp for Weston. I tried to clean out Ella's room in the morning, but two trash bags and two hours later I only had about 1/3 of it done. After he got out we went swimming at the pool with Missy and Matt. Tuesday I worked and Weston went with Kris and Brady on a train ride. He said it was his best day ever. Wednesday I spent the morning driving to North Haven because our patio was being poured and we needed some materials. I snuck in a trip to Ikea and got some new shelves and a stuffed animal holder for Ella's room. :) Nana and Pa picked up Weston and he was ready to leave when I got there. He didn't want to miss that cement mixer! I cleaned the rest of Ella's room while that was happening. Thursday, I had Brady. We stayed home in the morning and played a few board games when it began to thunder and lightening. Then we went to Target. When we picked Weston up from camp we went rail-fanning in Niantic. Then to the book barn. The boys bought two train books. We had DQ and went to New London to rail-fan. Today we went to my mom's house. She suggested going to Hopeville so Weston could ride his bike. We went to get his bike tire fixed, made a picnic lunch, and were off to Hopeville. It was a lot of fun and great weather outside! Afterwards we went to the pool to hang out with Missy and Matt. Now we are getting ready to pick up our Ella at camp!