Drawing a blank????

That moment you're all pumped up to post on the blog.....

Then, you sit down and your mind goes blank. Your body shifts into near comatose state and your hands become so heavy even typing out these few works feel like a major cardio workout for your fingers.

Can you tell it's Friday??????

I'm ready for the Weekend. Ready to relax and hand the reins over to my dear husband. 

One good thing, the girls slept in this morning....til 8:30!!!! It's been the crack of dawn rising every other day this week. I was thankful for that extra hour or so.

My girls....crazy are they. (haha, Yoda talk there)

Their conversation in the van last night was all about when they are older. The fun they'll get to have.

"ya know, when I'm older like Mom. I get to ride in the front seat and drink coffee."

Oh, they have A LOT to look forward to. Apparently, that's life as a mommy.

Here's a few pictures from today....we're getting our money's worth from this pool. 

 I walked outside to check on the kids. You see, while they're occupied, I clean up the kitchen, etc.

 This was taken through the kitchen window. She saw me with the camera and of course, had to pose. Love her ♥

relaxing in the pool... Summer fun

yes, I try to keep the kids busy during the summer. Each day, we're doing something, anything. I want them to have to the same if not similar summers that I had growing up. Mom would usually send me and my siblings outside to play. Of course, we had to do our chores first. Because if we didn't, it was a mad rush to do them before Little House on the Prairie came on at 4 pm each afternoon. No chores done= no watching TV. That was the rules.

But back to creating summer memories....

We'd play outside. We did everything from play war (battle from tree house to tree house), dug tunnels, acrobats off the chain swing (originally used to pull the engine out of a vehicle), pick weeds and grind them down to make our own "Feed n Seed store". We'd build "huts" in the woods. You see, we grew up at a motel. My parents ran the motel. We played on the property....large property that once held an orange grove (before one those freezes of ____ that destroyed it all....it was Florida, of course.)

Yes, we had a fabulous life growing up. There was no limit to our imagination. We could be anything, do anything. I LOVED it!! I want my kids to experience the same. 

The biggest struggle with not having the same is the widespread technology use. I'm attached to it. Almost everyone is. It's hard not to do things in this day and age without some sort of technology. So, for us, we limit it. Let's try to do it ourselves first...then ask Google. Lol Gone are the days of researching a subject with an encyclopedia. I used to love those books. I wonder if Mom still has a set of Encyclopedias at the house?????

Wow...was that a rabbit trail or what?!?!

And to think I'd drawn a blank on what to post. Oh glorious mind! 

Summertime and swimming in barrels...I'll have to tell you about that another time. Yes, I had a great life growing up. Summertime was fun time. Memories <3 p="">

-enJoy

Summer break is here

It's Summer break!!! And so far *knock on wood*, it's going good.

We're kinda on a schedule. The big kids are still waking up at the crack of dawn but considerate enough to just play together than to wake up the whole house. I'm enjoying not having an alarm clock to contend with...except on the mornings we have plans to attend a gym class.

Kids are adapting well. That first week or so is a change. A change of schedule, personal space, order, etc. Leia is getting used to not having Mommy ALL to herself ALL day Long. And the big kids are getting used to our "fly by the seat of your pants" schedule. Well, it's not really that lax. We get up, have breakfast, go for a walk or to the park....you see, the heat is getting to the unbearable status now. After "40 days and nights" of constant rain, we're just not used to all the sunshine. haha! but we're adapting.

Our afternoons consist of "quiet time". This can be anything from movies to playing games on the TV. The big kids usually chose Minecraft on their tablets. Leia and I watch a movie together. Today, we're watching Brother Bear2. I don't think Leia's ever actually watched it...because she's glued. Which gives me the time to write this blog post. (YAY!!) I have implemented something new this summer break. The kids have to read (even Leia) for a certain amount of time each day before their electronic privilege is earned. 2 days into it and we're having success. Leia has been "reading" the same Dinosaur chapter book so far. But she's making up her own words to the store...and giggling a lot. Love the giggles♥ 

Dakota's (our oldest) is doing soccer camp this week. It's in the evening which is good. Not too terribly hot. He was awarded most improved with dribbling last night!! Pretty proud of him with this being his first active season of soccer. 

Lily (our middle child) is just loving life. She enjoys scootering at the park. I borrowed Dakota's scooter and raced her today. She won. Momma needs to get with the program, haha. 

Leia (our youngest) is having her moments. Terrible 3's are rearing their head again. But I think that's just her way of adapting to "sharing" her mommy. We're working on this together. She is enjoying that the pool is now out of the box. Even if she does have to share it with the big kids. oh, this child!!

Jed n I just celebrated our 11th anniversary. I'll be bold enough to say that sometimes it seems like just yesterday he was asking me out. And other times, I'm thinking "it's literally been FOREVER!!!" haha 

Well, the movie is over. So, now I'm being beckoned for this and that. Until I sit down and post again.....

keep stepping (fitbit humor) and drink your water.

-enJoy

Live your life and Forget your age

I'm another year older since my last blog post. Crazy! Time flies when you're having fun. I really don't feel any older...they say that's a state of mind. If I keep this up, in the silver years they'll have me committed....haha

But no, I don't feel older...just tired. Keeping up with the kiddos, husband, and just life...that has my attention and energy. 

We are full swing into that last 6 weeks of school. The kids' report cards sported all A's!!! YAY!! I'm so proud of how the big kids are doing in school. They have some fabulous teachers again this year. Dakota and Lily both are reading a grade ahead already. As long as we keep up the reading this summer, they can start off the new school year with an advantage. They are doing the "Texas Reads One Book"....Lily is reading The World According to Humphrey. And Dakota is reading The Cricket in Times Square.

 I love that the kids are enjoying this reading project. Technology seems to overtake our lives rather aggressively. No, I'm not against it. I'm using it right now. My youngest is watching a movie from the DVR and I'm using the laptop. I love social networking!! #awesome

I was all gung ho on my rabbit trails of life and then my phone rang. Lost my train of thought...which doesn't take much to get me off track. haaa! see what I did there?!

This is the person who called me...my fabulous husband...only to ask if I had mowed the backyard. Haha!! Apparently he thinks that I'd drag out the lawnmower just to snap a picture for Instagram!! Craziness. I did it for the steps. Fitbit addict, I know. But hey! it motivates me each day to get those steps in. And mowing the backyard helped me reach my goal by lunchtime!! (well, shortly after 12)  I'm hoping that staying active keeps me young. :) I'll try my dead-level best to stay as active as I can. I gotta keep up with the kiddos. 

Leia enjoyed my yard work time. She got to play with the water hose. So much fun.

 backyard finished

So...until the next time, Live your life and forget your age.

-enJoy