Summer Schedule

It feels like it's been summer for quite a while around here because a) I have been homeschooling Ben since January and b) its been hot enough to swim since April.  But with true summer finally here I've had to devise some sort of a plan to keep us busy and me sane (Ben uses the "b" word far too much- bored that is).  Our weekly routine is shaping up pretty nicely and will hopefully give us a good summer, if pregnant mommy can keep up.  Our week consists of the following activities: 

• A few days of swim time at our club's pool.  I love that both kids can swim/float on their own now so I don't have to be in with them the whole time.  Although I definitely can't sit poolside for long without needing to take a dip and cool off. 
• A weekly trip to the movies for their summertime series where they play older movies for .50! 
• A weekly or sometimes bi monthly trip to the bowling alley.  I got a kids unlimited bowl free pass and paid $20 each for unlimited shoe rentals, so we try to take advantage weekly.  It's a lot of work for me though helping out Jackson primarily and my big tummy is causing me balance issues that sometimes make leaning down to throw the ball a bit difficult.  
• The boys also spend a lot of time in Kids Club while mommy works out.  They have such a great time there, especially now with the big kids out for summer Ben loves it.  It's basically like play school everyday, since they get up to three hours of care there daily.     
• Park dates with friends twice a week is a highlight for both the boys and me as I get some adult time in.  
• Ben is attending VBS next week for a few hours every morning. 
• We have a fun safari/glamping trip planned for Ben's sixth birthday next weekend curtesy of my in-laws, which we are really looking forward to.  
• I'm hoping to plan a local overnight camping trip with just my little family.
• Looking forward to the Fourth for a hometown parade and fabulous fireworks, which always make me really sentimental. 
• Hopefully several more beach trips if the weather would cooperate.  We went several times in April/May, but it's actually cooler now that its summer.  Strange coastal weather. I'll have to post pics from our beach trips next post.
• And eating lots of fresh fruit and cool treats will definitely be on the agenda as well.    

 

This summer will go down in my memory as the summer of the boys, before our life changes with the addition of little sister.  I just hope that I don't overheat in the process of trying to fulfill all of their summer bucket list items.  : )

Brother's Bedroom

When we moved from our last home and into my in-laws house temporally we decided to sale Ben's bed.  He slept on a makeshift bed we made with some Ikea drawers, which actually made a great storage bed in the meantime.  When we moved Jackson was still in his crib but after not too long he began climbing out of said crib and one night I found him on the floor next to his crib with his little foot stuck in the slats.  Heart breaking.  This was at eighteen months.  So we bought him a little toddler bed but he was never a fan and slept in his brother's twin bed more often than naught.  Therefore when we were moving I knew we needed two new twin beds.  I loved all the Pinterest pallet beds so made it my mission to make this happen.  I found my pallets but without any tools or no how, didn't really no where to go from there.  I asked my sweet landlord if James and I could burrow some tools and he completely took over the project for me and completed both beds super quick.  One he and his wife, mind you they are in their seventies, hand delivered one to me (they were living across the street at the time).  I couldn't have been more grateful and they turned out exactly like I had imagined.  Especially after I got them stained they were exactly what I wanted.  I love that they are low to the ground, interesting, modern, and super amazingly cheap!  I think I spent maybe thirty dollars total.  

I had these shelfs cut for the space and stained them to match the beds and James hung them for me.  I love all the interest they add to the space and it gives the boys a place to display their treasures (lots of artwork and a new trophy have already been added).  

These Urban Wall triangle decals are just so perfect.  They were very easy to install, look painted on, and are the perfect solution for our temporary home.  Plus how perfect are they with that rug.  

Two of my favorite features in the room are the large picture window (although I still really need to replace the ugly vertical blinds), and the closet system, which allow me to tuck all their toys and games neatly away.  Ben's clothes may be in the nursery, but baby girl will have an open closet in the built in shelves in her room, so there's still plenty of space for everyone.  

There's still a few things I want to do in here: print mini instagrams for the push board, make a large dreamcatcher for the wall next to the big window (Ben's side of the room; because he sometimes has bad dreams), and hang some low book shelves right above Jackson's bed for his beloved board books, but overall I love the space.  It's the perfect size for my two blonde brothers and a space that they wont outgrow anytime soon.  

Little League

Ben's first season of little league wrapped up a couple of weeks ago.  He didn't love it, even though he did really well at it.  We aren't really the biggest baseball fans in this house and it is a bit of a slow sport, especially for impatient five-year-olds.  I think he'll enjoy the pace of soccer and basketball much better.   Ben has always been great at batting and when I heard it was coach pitch I knew he would be excited.  They'd give the kids about five attempts to hit the ball before bringing out the T, and I think Ben only had to hit of the T maybe three times all season.  He really improved on fielding and it was fun to see the point of the game click for him and his teammates (they were actually getting outs towards the middle of the season).  We might be done with baseball as he says he doesn't want to do it again, but we will see if he changes his mind come next spring.  I just love watching this kid learn and improve on new skills and hope he really finds a sport he loves.  Looking forward to lots of practices and games to come throughout the years. 

He got a great hit during his second practice and I managed to capture the moment of connection. 

Jackson was his biggest fan and did such a good job staying off the field. 

And this was before practice. 

He was so excited to give catching a try.  He could barely see or move in all that gear.: ) 

Jackson was always close by. 

Can you believe I found this random Twins shirt at my local maternity store?  How perfect. 

Playing first base during his last game.  He stopped two balls and got two outs! 

End of season pizza party.  Can you spot Jackson?! 

He wanted to know if his trophy was "real golden?"  The trophy may not be priceless but watching you receive it was, Ben!  I'm so proud of you.  XoXo, Mommy.

The Second Trimester

I am already two weeks into my third trimester of this pregnancy.  It really is going by super fast when I look back, but then seems so far off when all I want to do already is meet this baby girl of mine.  Currently I have ten weeks to go and although I'm anxious I'm also really excited that I get to spend the whole summer just me and my boys.  One last hurrah if you will just us.  The heat this summer I'm sure will just about be the death of me, but I think its otherwise perfect timing that baby is coming right before summer ends and Ben starts Kindergarten.  Because lets face it a baby would have put a bit of a damper on our summer plans.  I just hope my energy holds out so I can provide the boys with some great fun in the sun.  

Speaking of energy I pretty much felt wonderful throughout my second trimester.  I worked out very consistently up until about 23 weeks, but have since gotten a little of track and have only been getting in two to three workouts per week (less intense and shorter length).  The "Ellie Belly-" that's what I nicknamed the bump- is definitely growing and making me feel more and more pregnant.  Towards the wrap up of the second trimester I find myself wearing down quicker and some days I'm pretty worthless, but I feel just so blessed to be experiencing a healthy pregnancy so far.  

My absolute favorite parts about being pregnant this time around are three fold.  First I love feeling this little life inside of me.  She is seriously such a squirmer and I feel as though she hardly sleeps in there because I can feel her moving around almost all the time.  Maybe she'll kick a lot in her sleep like her mommy. : )  Secondly I love Jackson's reaction to my tummy.  He gets all excited and tries to hug and kiss my tummy (I have to remind him to be gentle every time), especially if he gets a glimpse of my bare skin or when he first sees me in the morning.  He's going to be a great big brother, just like his big brother.  Thirdly, I really enjoy stranger's reactions to my pregnancy.  Everyone is always smiling at me, and especially when on the cruise people had the nicest things to say to me.  Hopefully I'll hold on to those sweet words as I grow who knows how much bigger these last ten weeks.  I'm already growing out of lots of my maternity clothes.  Thank goodness summer doesn't require as much clothes. I think I'll just live in my workout clothes and bathing suits. 

15 weeks 

16 weeks 

17 weeks 

19 weeks 

20 weeks 

22 weeks 

25 weeks 

26 weeks 

26 weeks 

27 weeks 

28 weeks 

Memorial Weekend

Friday:  We started Memorial Day weekend off at the pool the way it should always be kicked off.  Even though we've been swimming for well over a month here in sunny California, it is the official start of summer so only seems fit.  James had lots of work to do at home so after a work out, the boys and I hit the pool mid afternoon and didn't come home till the sun was nearly setting.

Saturday:  A donut run started off our day as per tradition.  But this time we opted for Krispy Kreme.  It was the boy's first time and my first time since high school.  They enjoyed watching the whole donut operation behind the clear glass walls.  Other than some house work and yard work for me we pretty much all had a lazy day.  Jackson napped long enough for first James to join him and then me.  Best nap for me in a long time. : )  When I woke up I heard that even Ben fell asleep on the couch with James and James posted the Instagram pic to proof it.
Sunday:  Another lazy morning followed by church followed by a lazy evening with a little bit of friend chicken and corn-on-the-cob in there somewhere.
Monday:  Spent the day a few cities over at a Wind and Art festival.  Where Ben showed his bravery in climbing almost to the top of the rock wall, and Jackson after proving he just makes the 36" height cut off, showed his fearlessness and rode all the carney rides right alongside his brother.  James, his dad, and his brother opted out early to go to the car dealership to see if there were any amazing memorial day offerings (we're on the hunt for a bigger car to accommodate baby sister).  While the boys, myself, and my mother-in-law went and cooled off at Cold Stone (it was so hot!)- we made the better choice.
Tuesday:  The boys got into the true spirit of the holiday with their Papa and Great-Grandpa at a WWII airplane show.  They spent a couple hours climbing all over the vintage aircrafts and mommy spent her alone time running some errands that she never likes to do with them in tote.  Win-win!  

I'm so thankful to live in this great country of ours and for all those men and women, past and present who make care free American weekends like this last one possible.