Have I mentioned a time or twelve that I love summer? Because I really really love summer. I joked on Instagram earlier that most of my images will consist of the same scene- me sitting at the pool with a book while my kids swim. We had a very laid back relaxing week, which is exactly what summer should be in my opinion. 

1. My sister brought my adorable nephew over to swim and we had a blast. Well, most of us had a blast. Mason was less than pleased that he had to hang out around the steps to play because my nephew cannot swim yet and he’s over the weight limit for his puddle jumper. Ha! But it was a good time and I got to hang out with my sister and talk to an actual adult!

2. There wasn’t anything specific that Matt wanted to do for Fathers Day this year. He didn’t want to go anywhere and he didn’t want any gifts. He really just wanted a relaxing day. So that’s what we did. We let him sleep in, then we spent hours at the pool, then lounged in the hot tub before Matt grilled delicious pork chops for dinner. Then we did more nighttime hot tub lounging with wine and binge watched Beachfront Bargain Hunt. Our dream is to one day live on the beach so this show is our jam. It was a great day.

3. Tyler just started his very last month of Accutane! He had bloodwork done earlier in the week and saw his dermatologist a couple of days later. She is so pleased with his progress and he probably will not need to do another 6 month course. He is so ready to be done with this journey. He has a lot of scarring on his back so we’ll go back in 6 months to talk about how/when/if to do anything about it. I happened to catch him mid-yawn at the dermatologist office. Ha! He had a friend sleep over the night before and they played video games until 5am, then he had to leave for morning football at 7am so he got no sleep at all before his appointment. Then he had to go back for afternoon football practice. He was TIRED and CRANKY when he got home. Teenagers. 

4. I don’t know why I make rules around here. I have a strict no dogs on the furniture policy and that includes the brand new outdoor furniture. Nobody listens. I find dogs on the furniture all the time now. Blatant disrespect. But they’re so cute, how do you say no and shoo them back to the floor? I just can’t do it. 

5. I made the best 7 layer taco salad for dinner the other night. I’d been craving taco salad and I finally made one. It was delicious and I’ll be sharing the recipe soon because it is too good not to be shared. The kids, who normally grumble about why can’t I just make tacos without the salad part, ate every single bite! 

We had a busy, fun week. I can’t believe we’re already done with week 2 of summer break. NOOOOOO! Slow down time, slow down! 

The first official week of Summer Break is coming to a close and what a week we’ve had. I love summer. I love it so hard. The kids have slept in until past 10 nearly every single day. My house has been full of laughter and noise. All I smell is sunscreen and chlorine. It’s perfection. 

1. Last weekend was super busy at our house. We had some stuff that needed to get done before we got down to the business of enjoying summer. Tyler had football at 8am. Then I had to take him to his sports physical at 11:30. His school participates in the free sports physicals every year and luckily it’s at the same place where Tyler sees the sports medicine doctor so it works out nicely. After his physical we spent hours working in the back yard getting ready for the landscaping to start. Matt and I made a quick trip to Sam’s Club then took the kids to the pool for a couple of hours before making pizzas and watching movies. Maia and Zoey both had friends sleep over and there wasn’t a whole lot of sleeping happening. But it was fun!

2. Tyler helped out his varsity basketball coach with a camp for middle school and JV players this week. The coach asked a few of the varsity players to help out to earn service hours. It worked out nicely because he had football from 8-10 and then the basketball camp was from 10-3. He came home exhausted every day. He told me that they’re like puppies- full of endless energy and always yapping. Ha! 

3. The 3 youngest had dentist appointments this week. Cleanings and no cavities all around! Poor Maia goes for her orthodontist consult at the end of the month. Her teeth are pretty crooked and her bite is a little bit off so it’s time to get it fixed. She’s thrilled. 

4. My dad came down this week to help us with a project on the back deck. We just replaced the hot tub cover and a storm already knocked a branch into it, ripping a small hole in the vinyl cover. So my dad built a lattice cover for the top of the gazebo. It looks fantastic and it only cost us $60 compared to the $1200 quote we got from a local handyman to add a roof. We had a bad storm the day after dad finished and not one branch hit the hot tub! 

5. I’m really enjoying this summer. We go to the pool pretty much every single day. All my kids can swim without assistance and passed the neighborhood swim test so I don’t have to be in the water with them all the time. It’s opened up a whole new world for me. I can read. I can lounge. I can watch them play. It’s awesome. Big kids rock. 

Week 1 of summer is in the books. Bring on week 2!