All Of The Fun Things...

"If summer would last forever, and the kids wouldn't get any older than they are now, and life would always be like this, I would be ok with that." - Tim, said today.

I might be chill with that except for...not quite everything.  Because...tantrums, people.  Not really willing and eager to stay in a four year old's tantrum stage FOR THE REST OF MY LIIIIFFFEEE.

(Actually, we've made GREAT progress on the tantrum front lately, MUCH to my relief.  I'm trying to make sure Layla eats something at least every four hours, and goes potty every two, and it has made a MASSIVE difference.  I actually think most of her tantrums come from having to pee, not realizing it, feeling uncomfortable and slightly miserable, and then going into sensory overload.  Of which there is no coming out of until the bitter stormcloud blows over.  She went from several long tantrums every day to two total this past week.  The first was before I started my plan, and the second was after a looong week that included evening vacation bible school, and I totally expected it.  Fatigue is her other trigger.)

But the summer has descended and it is indeed, glorious.  We had a crazy busy week straight out of the kids finishing school.  The kids' last day of school was Friday, June 5.  I had volunteered to help with the fourth grade end-of-the-year party, which was on Thursday morning, and was a deeelicious breakfast prepared for the class by Mrs. Tennefoss, their teacher.  Our role as volunteers was to make faces on the pancakes with bacon, whipped cream, and berries.  :)

Gabe's class. Notice the balance balls a lot of them have to sit on.  Genius.  Genius, I say. 

We really really really loved Mrs. Tennefoss!! She was so great for Gabe.  

The next day was the awards ceremony.  

And then my camera died... :)

The next day after the last day of school was the Spring Festival that the school holds as a fundraiser.  The boys usually spend a lot of time on the waterslide, and they did that too this year, especially Israel,

but after a while Gabe came in search of Caroline, because he wanted to take her to see the petting zoo.  He was so good with her and so patient and took her several times during the day.  

The chicks.

The geese.

The kitties.

 Isn't Caroline's dress just adorable?  Layla had on a pretty one too that her mother thought was probably more suited for a proper dressy event, but hey, why squander the opportunity to wear a pretty dress, thinks Layla.  So her mother agrees, and we fluffed our way all around town in a right fancy manner.

Layla waited with a dwindling amount of patience as her mother perused the sale items, and finally made her way to what her heart was longing for...the bouncy house.

After this she joined up with Zion to ride the cars. (They are in the first two cars, and Layla has her newly-purchased-from-the-aforementioned-mother-perusing, new-to-her Hello Kitty hat and gloves on.)

The hat and gloves, later in the day, just for your viewing enjoyment.  :)

Actually this year was kind of easier than other years, because Israel was on the waterslide, and Gabe kept carting Caroline off, and Zion and Layla were running around together, and I didn't have to be quite as "on".

This was the beginning of the end, though.

Layla wanted her hand painted.

And it was a nice kitty...but something was just not as it should be with the kitty legs...and lunch had been too long in coming...and the hot dog got too ketchupy...and...it was all over, folks,

The next day was Sunday, and the boys and their dad left to go camping at Cape Henlopen.  I thought maybe that I might not be able to get everything done that I couldn't help but plan on when I thought of the days with just us girlies, but I was able to churn out a lot of productivity, much to my delight!!  Four less people is a lot less people when it comes down to it, and the four days and three nights were enjoyable and relaxing.  Although we all missed each other.  Layla missed having people in the room with her at night to sleep, and needed to sleep with her mama.  

On the table beside her you can see her flashlight, the teapot and teacup she needed to have her water in, and the smoothie that her mother thought all girls needed to go get that night right before bed. ;)

We traveled out on Wednesday to help them get everything home.  There were a lot of gleeful boys in the tree quite eager to demonstrate their tree climbing skills.  

The appreciative audience.  

After a quick hike up one of the outlooks and a super quick beach go-see, we stopped for icecream and then came home, since the kids started VBS that night, that ended in a fun VBS festival that Saturday.  See??  Is this a crazy week or what??

Israel with one of his best friends, Jeremiah.

And meanwhile Tim got our pool set up in the backyard.  

And we got the garden re-tilled and tomato cages on.  

Now tomorrow is Monday again, and it feels like the proper start of summer break.  It doesn't feel quite real that I don't have to get up and get the boys around for school.  I CAN'T WAIT to not have to get up.  :)     

(in case you're interested, the baby seems to have missed that particular memo...)