Second Week of Summer

First, lets start with some proof that our first week of summer was awesome. Exhibit 1) Coraline passed out on the couch. Exhibit 2) Nell caught a little heat rash behind her ear. 

But this second week got even crazier. It was crazy in a completely different kind of way. Instead of wild playing and lots of sibling time -- there were days full of activities. On Monday thru Thursday, the big kids started their morning at swim lessons and ended the day at Vacation Bible School in Appleton. In between that Reid and Nell started their summer playground group. Whew, it was such a busy week I decided I'd better make a calendar of all our activities so the kids could visualize what would happen all summer and when. 

 I also decided to make these little flexible schedules so the kids could earn their screen time each day. In the end I felt like this idea kind of back fired. It served as a reminder that they could have screen time every day, so Reid just woke up begging to rush through things and get on a screen. Overall though, I think it's a good idea. 

With the big kids at VBS each night, Mara had plenty of one-on-two time with mom and dad. And she loved it. She is used to running with that big crowd, but she settled right in to only child status quite nicely. 

It was also a big reminder to Ben and I, that life was a lot easier with just one child, ha!

One morning after swim lessons I suggested we head to the library to pick up some new books and movies. As we pulled in we spotted the Green Bay Zoomobile. It was seriously perfect timing as the kids were some of the first in line for a cool animal show. 

After each of the 5 animals were revealed the zoologist fielded questions from the audience. Reid, naturally, had two questions and one comment each time. Coraline, not wanting to feel left out, decided to raise her hand and ask a question after the snake showing. I was sitting in the back of the room with Mara, so I couldn't quite hear what Lou had to say, but the whole room heard the zoologist repeat it back. "Do snakes eat persons meat?" Coraline reassured her that was in fact her question, all the adults giggled, and then the zoologist assured us all that the answer is "no, snakes don't eat human meat." Ha! I loved it.

Princess Mara waiting for her Daddy Prince to come home. Her gazing out the window for his car really melted my heart. I hope she stays a daddy girl forever instead of phasing out of it (like her sisters seemed to). 

I sent the below image to a friend via text. It felt pretty spot on. #somuchrain

After all of the kids passed their swim class on Thursday we celebrated at Red Robin. I had a gift card from 2015 (no lie) that we finally used up. We never go to restaurants, so it was an extra special treat and you could tell they were all on cloud nine. I think Coraline must have thanked me for it ten thousand times. "Mom, thanks for taking us to Red Robin so we could get balloons." 

That night they came home from VBS with a bunch of crafts they'd worked on all week. These Lego frames were my favorite! They were really starting to miss Ben, since they left each day at 5, just before he gets home, but I do think they loved it. Nell's never been short on religious conversation, Reid's obsessed with Legos (it was Lego themed) and Coraline was just over the moon excited that she got to be part of a big kid activity.

It was a really lovely week, even if we were constantly running from one thing to another. I could tell it was wearing on Reid the most. He loves down time, being a home body, and extra play with his youngest sisters. Despite finishing swim and VBS on Thursday, they didn't have Friday free. He and Nell were signed up for a playground group fieldtrip to Badger Sports park in Appleton. The fieldtrips are really the reason I signed them up for the group in the first place, but it turns out Nell is really loving going to the school for playground time each day after lunch. Reid enjoys it when he feels up to it, but I don't make him go each day. I do know that on their fieldtrip they were put in the same group with just two other kids and one of the workers. I was glad they were able to spend most their day together -- because I know for 100% fact that they are best friends. I think it was Tuesday morning that Reid came upstairs, gave me a big hug, and proudly said, "Nell's my best friend." (pause) "Coraline and Mara are too. Well, Coraline is my best friend for silliness. She makes me laugh. Mara is the best for cuteness. I love snuggling her. And Nell is my best friend for playing with and having fun with." And that right there is what summer is all about. I love watching them build up these sweet friendships.