Summer Reading Champs

I know there are a lot of things I haven't done as well as I could have with my kids but there is one thing that I definitely got right. I've raised a couple of readers who love a good book. 

Our library is doing a Summer Reading Challenge with the goal of having kids read 20 hours over the summer to earn a free book. Both kids have already finished 40 hours and are working their way through their 3rd sheet.

Today Brian and I were making dinner and the house was silent.  I went upstairs and each kid was reading a book. We went to the library and Addy finished a new book the same day she got it, and she made her way through all of the Chronicles of Narnia books. Cameron looks forward to reading time every night and is making his way through every Roald Dahl book.  We've started a new Covid tradition of family reading time where we all just sit on the couch and read our own books.

It brings me joy to see that reading brings my kids joy. It is a gift that will serve them well for the rest of their lives. I know I've needed to escape into my books to survive this world right now, and I'm happy to see they are able to do the same. 

My Kids the Truth Tellers

While it's not as frequent as when they were toddlers, the kids still often have the perfect response or quote that makes me laugh so hard. One of the best things I've heard Addy say was back in May when we were still adjusting to the new normal of quarantine, remote learning and 24 hour/day family time. Addy was having a rough day and was pretty upset. When I asked her if there was anything I could do to help or if she could explain what was wrong she just sighed and spoke her truth, "I am just SO SICK of you guys. All of you, I'm just sick of being with you all the time." I couldn't say I blamed her since we had pretty much been together non-stop for about 2.5 months at that point. She had a strong point. 

Then just this past week I was telling Brian (in front of both kids) just how proud I was of Addy because while Brian was gone she surprised me by starting to fold clothes in the laundry basket completely unprompted. I was gushing to Brian how impressed I was to walk into her room and see her with piles of folded clothes around her, something she had never done before. I mentioned that maybe this something the kids could start doing more regularly. Then I heard Cameron whisper (or rather attempt to whisper since he really isn't capable of it) to Addy, "You really shouldn't have done that, Addy. That was a bad idea." Funny that neither child has done it since. 

Happy 4th!

Over the 4th of July while Brian was driving back to Casper WY, the kids and I had a unexpectedly full and super fun day. We were invited to a bike parade a few streets away. The neighbors on that street block it off every year so the kids can do a parade and they still did it this year. Addy & Cam got decked out in their red, white and blue attire and decorated their bikes. A bunch of neighborhood kids were there and it was super fun. We also went to the school and played kickball with a few families from the neighborhood. We went back to the same street that evening to watch some fireworks and the kids loved it. It was a great start to the unofficial beginning of summer. 

First Camping of the Season

On Father's Day, Brian and the kids ventured out for their first camping trip of the season. We got a last minute invite from some friends, but it was Sunday-Tuesday and I wasn't able to make it. Brian took on the most challenging task of them all and headed out with 2 kids, a canoe, 3 bikes, and all the camping gear SOLO. I have never seen the car so full in my life. I was teasing him that even if I could have joined there would not have been room for me because my seat was packed to the roof!

They had a great time! The site was 3 hours east so it was HOT. They brought the canoe because the campground was right next to a giant reservoir. There were 2 other families there so the kids got to hang out with other kids, which in our current environment was the most exciting part! 

They came back looking exhausted, sunburned and covered in dirt and bug bites- all signs of a successful camping trip! These pictures are additional proof that summer has started!

The Tub of Joy

Brian and I have been lucky enough to not have caught COVID-19 or to be dramatically impacted by everything associated with it, at least no more than anyone else. But I think maybe we have actually lost our minds since quarantine started. As we kept hearing of each of the kids activities and camps being canceled and then the news that the local pool wouldn't be opening we were desperate to find something fun to look forward to. It started with a dream of a swim spa and ended with the reality of a hot tub. In the course of a few weeks, my husband the researcher became an expert on the subject and we bought a hot tub! I prefer to call it the "tub of joy" and it's been great. We've now had it for about 3 weeks and it's been a nice distraction for relaxation with the craziness around us. The kids love it and Brian and I love going it in without the kids:) 

Girl Scouts

Addy has been able to continue with Girl Scouts via zoom and they've done a lot of fun activities. She got to have a taste test of the two different types of each cookie from each bakery. As Cameron would say, "Did you know there are only 2 bakeries for all of the girl scout cookies and each type is slightly different?" Addy got to try each kind and tried to guess which was which (and Cameron convinced her to let him try them all as well). 

She also did a pringles challenge - did you know that you can perfectly lay out pringles chips to build a circle? It took a few tries but Addy mastered it. She also got to build a balloon car that is so awesome. Blow up the balloon and off it goes!

For her end of year party they did a scavenger hunt, made their own pizzas and s'mores pies and celebrated with crazy hair. Another end to a great season. Hard to believe coronavirus first started during cookie season.

Field Trip

Last weekend we decided to treat ourselves to some doughnuts, but decided to walk to get them. It's about a 3 mile round trip walk and it was great! In addition to the doughnuts, we discovered that the Farmer's Market was actually open so we walked through that. We also discovered that Edmonds created a new little mural with all these different birds. It was an eventful walk and felt great to get out and do things and see people (at a responsible distance!)