Oh what do you do....

Oh.... what do you do in the summer time

when your Mom's a lazy bum?

Do you sit in a steam as you lazily dream

on the bed when it's still light at night?

Is that what you do? So do I!

Oh... what do you do in the summertime
when your Mom just wants to sleep?

Do you swim in a pool, to keep yourself cool,
or swing in a tree up high?

Is that what you do? Neither do I!

Oh.... what do you do in the summertime,
when your Mom is super mean?

Do you miss the parades, beg for lemonades,
or count all the times you cry?

Is that what you do? So do I!

Poem courtesy of Ms. Els and Cadie Lu

(Poor picked on victims of their mother's heat aversion,
who are convinced that despite all appearances,
this summer has been a bust!)

PS - None of these pictures are my children

Summer Time - EZ Livin'

Sorry peeps. I'm too busy having fun this summer to take time out to blog. Sure, my life is replete with blog-worthy happenings, but I'm tucked up on the couch with a novel and a cup of peanut butter m&m's and just can't get around to typing these things up.

But, since I know you care so much, I've squeaked out this moment in time to share with you some of the highlights of the past weeks of summer.

(My apologies, be aware that this got a bit lengthy....)

ONE:

Two weeks of swimming lesson h-e-** spent at the local Rec Center. Ms. Els accidentally ended up in the level 2 class and inadvertantly learned to swim the deep end. I can't decide if I'm grateful to the staff mess-up or frustrated. But hey, my kid can swim... so... WOOT WOOT!

Cadie Lu spent those same two weeks learning how to splash around and blow bubbles. Go figure.

I spent those two weeks sitting in a "pool" of my own sweat, make-up running down my face and hair pulled back into a bun while watching the instruction. The worst part is that I didn't loose any weight for my efforts.

TWO:

Took the kids camping over the 4th of July. The kids did fine. The dog did not. I pretty much want to sell him... but that's another post. Also, not a huge fan of the nifty drum circle someone organized at 1:00 am. I woke up and asked Steve if we'd accidently camped on the reservation. He replied that he was wondering if a war party was going to storm our campsite.

On that note, I'm starting to realize that I don't like camping as much as I should for someone whose name is 'Aspen'.

THREE:

We also managed to squeak in some July 4th celebrations with both sides of the family. We did a picnic at the park with Steve's side. It was fun and relaxing.

We did a bbq, water play and fireworks with my side. Looks like my kids are still afriad of fireworks. So I'm pretty stoked about wasting money yet again this year on fireworks that they end up watching from inside the house. Not to be a downer... but it's a pretty crummy tradition!

FOUR:

Been spending lots of time with my sister and her kids while they're between homes. (Left Texas, heading for Washington.) Loving that, along with the reminder of why I'm not too broken up about the fact I can't breastfeed. Just sayin'....

(My girls with two of my sister's girls. Cutie pies!)

FIVE:

Well, five is a secret... he he he.... Deal with it.

(No, for the love, not ALL secrets are about pregnancy!)

Happy Summer!

Parenting Gold Mine

You know what I love?

I love it when I stumble across a bit of parenting gold (aka genius) without any forethought. I'm just humming along and suddenly I do something so spectacular that it simply must be shared with the world.

Here is what happened to me today:

As with most days, today I was trying to juggle lunch-time with the extreme need my daughters have to play with their friends. Amid the juggle the girls finished their awesome lunch of waffles and pears (I threw that in because it's usually corn dogs and ketchup), and were gearing up to go play.

"Put on your shoes!" I shouted to the brick wall that is Ms. Els when friends are waiting.


All I heard was the slamming of a door. So, I opened said door and repeated my request that she put on shoes. In a whiny voice she replied, "Uh... couldn't you just get them for me?"

Usually I refuse to do these kinds of tasks, but seeing as the shoes were sitting next to my feet I agreed. I picked one up with my toe and threw it in her general direction. I did the same with the second shoe, but this one landed in a bush. A big, poky bush that is taller than I am and may house a colony of wee beasties. Oopsies!

"Oh, my bad." I smiled at her.

Now, here is the gold part. I heard her mutter to her friend, "I should have just gotten them myself!" as she dove into the gigantic bush to retrieve it.

Do you people realize the power I've just unleashed? I bet after a few more shoes launched into bushes she'll just start getting her own shoes, because it'll become obvious that asking mom just isn't worth it!!

I'm wondering where else I can use this new and delightsome technique? Maybe when they ask me to hand them a cup I'll spit in it first? Or drop their toothbrush in the toilet? Maybe when they ask me to get them a drink I'll make sure the water is always hot..... the possibilities are endless.

Someday I'll have these people whipped into independent shape. For now, though, I've got to go get that hornets nest out of Ms. Els's hair. Where could she have stumbled across that????