Summer is well underway, so well underway, in fact, we've passed the halfway point and are barreling toward the first day of school. Lands End already had a 40% off sale on school uniforms, and Gigi's closet is hung with darling shorts and plaid jumpers. For now though, it's still summer, and the signs are everywhere. Really, they're everywhere. Gigi can't quite read, but she knows her letters and can spell, and RJ is a just a sign making fool.
The first sign of summer? RJ's daily schedule. Soccer: Morning, Afternoon, Evening.
At least he's got a plan for the day. For the most part, he sticks to his schedule, as is evidenced by the progress he's making in juggling skills.
G joined forces with her brother for soccer camp this summer.
And, we watched him play a few games too.
In the meantime, the littlest one, who has a darling name, but who also looked unfortunately like an old man named Herman, turned two months old:
(There's a reason for the dog, but that's a story for another day.)
And this is what outdoor photo shoots really look like at my house. He's not my cat, but my children may be under the impression that he's a second cousin, twice removed, of Skippyjohn Jones. They may also believe that Skippyjohn Jones has another cousin working in the kitchen at Taco Bell making the frijoles. Someday they also believe their mother is a bit touched in the head.
Strawberries are a big deal around here. The kids love them. My kitchen is decorated in them. And, at any given moment, I'll dress the babe in berries.
This outfit has berries too.
It's my blog; I'll post all of Herman's expressions if I want to.
Because strawberries.
Strawberry jammies forever.
Coming to a theater near you--Fartzilla.
A sign of summer (or something like that).
She suffered, er survived, her first set of vaccinations.
It was a long afternoon.
Very long. But she'll thank me someday.
Summer means summer birthdays. My childhood bestie turned 40 (I can say this because her banner says it.). So, my ride or die bestie and I loaded up the wagon, braved torrential downpours, standstill traffic, and Texas in general to celebrate. I somehow missed getting a traditional road trip pic with her--all regrets. Oh, and that's a baby stopped to my chest.
Herman made the trip too.
Herman smells a hippo.
Baby's first zoo trip.
You know those Life Magazine pictures that make you say, "that's my life!" Well, this is my life. I'll load this carseat into the Swagger Wagon no less than two thousand times, and chances are, I'll forget the color of the interior and that there was a constant stack of blankets, diapers, and soccer shorts in the floorboard behind the passenger seat.
We took in an OKC Energy game. Try it once; no regrets.
It's a beautiful field and easy kid friendly entertainment.
Herman wears a tank top when it's hot. Her tank top has rainbows on it because her mother lived through the '80s. When she wears her rainbow tank top, her mother calls her Rainbow Brite. Why? Because her mother lived through the '80s.
G wears rainbows too.
Her brother does not. (The genetics are strong with these kids.)
"Colter, we are home. Knock on the door because baby is sleeping."
He's not wrong. She does sleep. I'd like to say she sleeps a lot, but I don't like to exaggerate.
She'll give me four hours in a row most nights. Five on really great nights.
This is my life. A bassinet on the bed; a sleeping baby snuggled in a muslin blanket; and every once in a while, a tiger striped tomcat named Ben (when he's not in lockup for being a bad boy).
When you have two older siblings, you get all the stickers.
Sometimes, I let them dream together while I watch and wonder how it is that I get two beautiful little girls who call me mommy.
Sometimes, the love is just a little to strong.
Sometimes, I listen to him read and wonder how it is that I have a nine year old boy who thanks me of having a baby sister for him.
Reading isn't his favorite thing; but he works at it and is finding books that make him smile.
Summer in our house means hours of patio time. I promise he's not my cat.
Beach towels are draped over the golf cart in the garage, hanging on hooks in my hallway, and probably piled in a wet heap on RJ's floor. I curse them and will cheer the day we put them back in the cupboard.
Until next summer. When the beach towels will come back out and signal the start of another season of 'hood swim team.
Another summer of waiting for the clock to strike pool-thirty.
The 'hood pool is the ultimate sign of summer.
We're breaking Herman in gently.
And she's not quite old enough to hitch a ride;
she rolls her own way.
This fish won her 25-yard backstroke!
This one isn't so much a backstroker as she is a back-floater. She is quite buoyant.
We tried something new.
Or maybe, we tried something ew. She was not impressed.
She is, however, pretty pleased with her new seat at the dinner table.
Herman went to see Cars 3.
She lasted approximately 15 minutes in her carrier before insisting she watch the show.
She can hold her head up!
This? This is midnight. She's adorable.
No really. She is adorable.
And totally smitten with her brother.
Smitten.
We took G to her grammy's house; she packed her own suitcase(s). "G," I asked, "Did you pack any clothes?" "No," she replied. "Why?"
He fit one last time.
But ultimately decided that playing Hot Wheels was more comfortable.
She was the bell of the ball.
We've had a few good chats.
I may be smitten too.
Is there any stronger sign of summer than the Fourth of the July?
Maybe bubbles on the Fourth of July with friends.
The moment you realize you've outgrown your swing,
and your best effort still won't make it fly.
We had our own parade princess.
Summer is halfway over; the signs are everywhere.
And in the meantime, the littlest little one with the darling name (Betsy), has turned three months old:
(When your mother is too busy making you smile to actually capture the whole smile.)
Dimples.
She's looking for the next sign of summer. I heard the cicadas signing tonight and fear it's a sign of summer ending far too quickly. Summer is our season. Patio and popsicles. The blog can stay a few weeks behind schedule for a little while longer. I'll be at the pool.
