this and that

I am enjoying summer so much!  It's been a busy one, and doesn't look like it's going to slow down much before school starts.  Speaking of school, Camden starts in FOUR WEEKS.  I am in a little bit of a denial.  I usually hit a point where I am ready for school to start back.  You know, where we have "done" everything there is to do and it's just time for a change in routine.  I am not there yet.  I am not ready for summer to end.  We go to the beach in 2 weeks and will be there for a whole week.  That means when we return there will only be a week until school starts.  I'm willing to bet I might be ready at that point.  I don't know, we'll see.  Until then, I'll enjoy my soon-to-be third grader and my last-year-of-preschool little boy.  Wahhh! :(

What have we been up to?  Last Saturday, I went to the beach for the day with two of my besties.  It was AMAZING.  I can not even tell you how amazing it was to be "off duty" for 12 hours.  We drove to the beach and had wonderful adult conversation in the car, then we sat on the beach for 6 hours, we ate dinner, then drove home.  It was peaceful, refreshing, and just plain wonderful.  It's been ten years since I've been to the beach alone, and I can't wait to do it again!  Already planning next year's beach day!!! 

We've also been spending a lot of time at our pool, and at another pool for swim lessons.  I signed up both boys for lessons (first time for Anderson, and advanced stroke development for Camden), but they had to cancel Camden's because not enough kids signed up for his particular lesson time.  So, Camden is just hanging out with me during Anderson's lesson.  He doesn't mind so much... he gets a kick out of watching Anderson swim!  Anderson is doing AMAZING with swimming this year.  He jumps in, goes under water, and is already able to swim about 6 feet in distance by himself.  I'll step a good ways away from the wall, let go of him and tell him to swim back to the wall.  He does great!  He's doing fabulous in his lesson, too.  I'm thankful he loves it so much. There are two little girls in his group that won't even touch the water.  Such a bummer for those moms who paid money for that!

  

The pool where we go for lessons also has a sprayground.  Kids love it!

We love our pool, and will REALLY miss having one within walking distance when we move away one day! 

Besides that, we're just enjoying summer.  I just loooooove not having to get up early to dress, feed, and pack lunches for the kids and have to be out the door at a certain time.  There's just something wonderful about waking up, eating breakfast, kissing Daddy goodbye and then cuddling on the couch in our pajamas while watching cartoons.  Maybe THAT is why I'm not ready for school to start. :)

A couple of images of what we've been up to:

Playing in our pajamas.

Feeding the ducks at the lake.

Hanging out at the science museum.

Enjoying beautiful summer sunsets.

Seeing snakes in the yard.  Horrible. (The first one we've seen in 4 years of living here!  Let's hope it was the last.)

Playing dress-up.

Enjoying lazy mornings.

Waking up early and laying on the floor because we shouldn't have awakened at the crack of dawn.

Fresh summer peaches with a light sprinkling of sugar.  Heaven.

And last but not least, today, which happened to be 72 degrees and cloudy, but no rain.  It was such a wonderful break from the blazing hot days we've been having!  We spent the morning at the park with friends and so enjoyed being outside!

The little kids are in bed and Camden and David are at a Durham Bulls game.  That means it's me, my laptop, my Blue Bell Pecan Pralines & cream ice cream and probably some cooking shows that I recorded and need to catch up on.  Life is good. :)