Day 67 Friday - Day 69 Sunday

Friday we went to Jeri's pool for Maddy's birthday party. The boys had the best time swimming and playing with all the kids. We had Little Ceasar's Pizza and a cookie cake too! YUM. Cal finally swam across the "deep end" by himself. What milestones we've reached this summer. He can ride a two-wheel bike, swim in the deep end, and has his first loose tooth. Friday night we went out to the cabin to go to the Tug Fest in LeClaire. We boated down for the festival where the boys and Sophia rode the rides and ate corn dogs and cotton candy. Then we watched the world's best fireworks display from the River on Papa and Maga's pontoon. What a great night.

Saturday morning we went down to the Tug Fest again with Joe, Jonell, Soph, and Maga to use up our tickets riding the rides and playing some games. Ryan went with Mike out to Grizz's bachelor party. They had plans to golf, boat, and party at Ken's. So the boys and I hung around the cabin, and then went for a boat ride with Papa and Maga. We ended up on Princeton Beach where the boys swam and played in the sand. In the evening Aunt Mariellen came out and we had dinner and make "mores" as Jake called them.

Sunday - Boo Hoo - Last day of summer break - back to work tomorrow. How did it go so fast?

Today we hung around the cabin in the morning. Then picked Ryan up at Ken's house. We gave Grizz, Lane, and Jason a ride home, stopped at McDonald's and then just hung out at home. The boys played great together outside, rode bikes, played a hide and seek game with a toy, pretended to ride their bikes to school... It is great to see them play like that. I'm pretty sad to see the summer coming to an end, but we have had a great time together. I think we're all ready for a little more of a routine. The boys will stay with Maga and Papa during the day on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday while Ryan and I are at work. Then it's back to school for them starting Thursday! So long summer... We'll miss you!

Day 60 Friday - Day 66 Thursday

Oh dear, school starts for teachers in 3 days and I've fallen behind in my blog posts so here goes:

Friday we went to the blood lab to get a cholestorol test on Calvin (just getting a baseline for later in life). Then we had doughnuts - great for cholestorol. We dropped off Cal's flag football registration at the Friendly House and then met Jonell and Soph at the Family Museum. They especially liked playing in the little house area. See pic of Jake answering the phone. That evening we went to Rookies to meet Ryan's cousin Mike. Had dinner and played games.

Saturday and Sunday - two more fun-filled days at the cabin - swimming, boating, eating. Happy Joe's pizza on Sunday night at home with Ryan's cousin Mike and his friend Debbie. Yum.

Monday we met Maga, Kelli, Mason, Joey at Vanderveer Park with Mike. The kids played and we had a picnic lunch in the park. In the evening we went to Mariellen's and had grilled chicken and corn on the cob for dinner.

Tuesday we went to Ben Butterworth Parkway in Moline and went for a bike ride with Papa and Maga. Jake rode on the back of Papa's bike. We rode for a little over an hour. Then we had a picnic lunch in the park that Papa and Maga packed for us. The boys played on swings and monkey bars. Then we went home for naps! Tuesday night I golfed with Maga and the boys went with Daddy and Mike to get the camper set up for Grizz's bachelor party which Daddy is planning.

Wednesdy was quite a day. I woke up early around 4:30 feeling chest pains. After a couple of hours worrying I decide to go to convenient care. Ryan went with me and Mike stayed with the boys. The doctor determined that it was probably acid reflux as my EKG and chest xrays came back normal. He prescribed some meds and we were on our way - feeling better today (Thursday). Then I went on to the dentist for a cleaning. Mike made the boys bacon and eggs and cleaned up for me! What a guy. Wednesday night everyone came over here for BLT's. The boys had a great time running around the yard and eating Whitey's ice cream pie thanks to Mike's friend Debbie.

Thursday we met Aunt Jonell and Sophia at the Bettendorf Y and went swimming. Long nap for Jake after that. We're on our way to go shopping for school supplies this evening, I think...

Day 59 Thursday

Today we went swimming at Windsor Crest with Ebelings again. Next nap for Jake, then to the Fair again. Papa did the "Sling Shot." We couldn't miss that so we had to go again. Ryan went with this time, and Joe, Jonell, and Soph joined us too. Even Matt, Heather, and Claire came to see the excitement. After the sling shot Jake went with Sandy's and Ryan to look at the animals. The rest of us rode some rides, ate some fair food, and played "Lucky Ducks." Papa bought the boys everything they wanted as usual! They had a great time!

Day 56 Monday - Day 58 Wednesday

Monday we went to the library to finished up our summer reading program. The boys got to pick a free book and Cal spent about an hour on the computer playing a math game. We stopped by a produce stand and got corn, tomatoes, and watermelon. Had BLT's for dinner - yum.

Tuesday I had class so the boys spent the afternoon with Maga. Apparently they spent a while playing at McDonald's! When Maga and I went to golf they went on a long bike ride with Papa! (about 4 miles he said) Jakie rode on the back of Papa's bike and Cal rode his own two -wheeler. He's really got the hang of it now!

Wednesday we went to the Mississippi Valley Fair with Maga, Jonell, and Sophia. We went on tons of rides, played a couple games, and of course had a corn dog and lemon shake up for lunch. We saw some cows being milked, checked out the horses, and a giant hog. It was fun to hang out with Jonell and Soph and Maga!

Day 54 and 55 Saturday and Sunday

Saturday was cool and rainy in the morning so we just ran some errands. In the afternoon, Calvin finally took off on his 2-wheeler without training wheels. It's amazing at how fast he finally got it! I think it took a little "push" from his second cousin, Ethan, and a little help from Daddy! We rented some movies, cooked steaks and just hung out together. Nice evening.

Sunday the sun was shining so, of course we took off for the cabin. Tim, Cyndee, and Maya joined us, along with Nick and Viktor. Ben, Maddie, and Oskar came out on their boat too. We tied up in the slough and the kids jumped off the back of the boat close to a million times, I think. Another fun day on the Mississippi!

Day 53 Friday

Today was our last day to visit with Steve, Linda, Matt, Ethan, and Gracie. We went to their hotel and went swimming. Maga, Mason, Joey, Cal, Jake and I went to Chick-Fil-A for lunch. They had a great time running around in that play room. Then the boys and I picked up the house to get ready for the evening. Everyone came over and we hung out on the deck while the kids ran around. Jakie cried when they left and said he was going to miss them.

Day 50 Tuesday-Day52 Thursday

Tuesday I had class so the boys played with Papa and Maga during the morning. In the evening they went to Aunt Kelli's for dinner with the Shafers. I met them after golf.

Wednesday was another busy day. We went to Windsor Crest pool with Kelli and company again. The boys had a blast. They are turning into little fish! In the evening we went to the cabin and up to Princeton Beach with Steve, Linda, Matt, Ethan, Gracie, Jay, and Pam. The kids had a blast playing in the sand and in the river. After playing for a while, we went back to the cabin to pick up Kelli, Mason, Joey, Maga, Mariellen, and Sam. Then we headed to It's on the River for pizza. Ethan (age 6) commented that it was the "best day of his life." We must be doing something right! :)

Thursday the boys and I ran errands in the morning. Then Ethan came over for the afternoon to play. Ryan, Steve, and Matt went golfing in the evening and the boys and I just took it easy!

Days 46-49 Friday - Monday

What a busy weekend. Friday we picked up our race packets for Junior BIX and met some friends that I hadn't seen for over 20 years! The boys played in the "jumpies" sponsored by the YMCA and drank sugary lemon shake ups! Friday night they races in the Junior BIX, ate hotdogs and Whitey's popsicles. Yum! Then a former student ! babysat for us while Ryan and I went to the first event of my 20th class reunion. It was fun visited with my old, I mean former classmates and talking about memories.

Saturday I ran the Quick BIX with my mom (too much fun Friday night to run all 7). We had a great time at the post race party chatting with friends and fellow runners. Ryan and the boys met me at Macs about 10:00, then we wandered around the street fest, then went home and napped! Saturday night the boys spent the night at Maga Jantzi's along with cousins Mason and Joey (ages - 6, 4, 3, and 1). She's a brave grandma! (Although her sister, "Aunt Pam" was there to help). They made a tent for sleeping under the coffee table! Ryan and I went to the formal reunion party at the Radisson downtown. He lasted until dinner was over, then took off to find friends at the BIX street party. I enjoyed chatted with BHS classmates and reminiscing (sp?). Then I joined him down at Macs and later at One Eleven where some BHSers had moved the party. Finally we crashed at the Radisson where my parents had a room (and they live in Bettendorf)! Lucky they let us sleep on the hide-a-bed! It was nice not to have to worry about a DD for the night.

Sunday we went to a BHS picnic, but the boys (especially Jakie) were just a little tired and crabby. It was fun to see everyone's kids and let them play. Sunday night we went to the Backwater Gambler's waterski show in Rock Island. It was awesome. We have some more family in town, so we just keep on moving...

Monday we went swimming with second cousins Ethan and Gracie, Matt, Steve and Linda, Kelli, Mason, Joey, Jeannie, Madeline, and Finney. Home for afternooon naps, then dinner on Maga's patio - cheeseburgers and corn on the cob, topped off with Whiteys. Whew, when will we slow down? Perhaps when school starts again!

Day 45 Thursday

We had another busy day today. We visited a new daycare ("school") for Jake called Creative Beginnings. It is 0.3 miles from Eisenhower, where I work and Cal will go to first grade in the fall. Hopefully, Jake will be able to start there in August. The staff seems wonderful and it will be VERY convenient! Next we went down to the Main Street Library for the BIX Porch Party and enjoyed a hotdog and some good jazz music. Then, since it was finally a nice day we went swimming at Windsor Crest with Kelli, Mason, Joey, Mariellen, and Kelli's MIL, SIL and Xavy, Madeline, and Finney. The boys had a great time and swam like fish.

In the evening we searched for new tennis shoes for the boys. It's sort of a tradition to get new shoes for the Junior BIX, then they have new ones for school in the fall.

Day 43 and 44 Tuesday and Wednesday

Tuesday I had class so the boys went with Maga and Papa to the Children's Museum. In the afternoon we just stayed home. I was supposed to golf in the evening, but again it was raining. This has been the coolest, rainiest summer I can remember. Good thing we got some swimming and boating in in June! Jake and I ran to the mall in the evening and browsed around.

Wednesday we hung around home in the morning (I cleaned, they played). In the early afternoon, we ran back to the mall, then to Sam's to get a new digital camera as ours wasn't working right. Then Cal and I made a coffee cake for Maga Jantzi while Jake napped. In the evening we took the camper back out to the cabin, took the boat over to It's on the River, and had dinner.

The rest of the week will be busy with BIX activites starting tomorrow!

Day 42 Monday

Busy day. I spraypainted our lawn furniture and shutters. They look great, but I still have paint on my fingers. Now we need to find new cushions. The boys helped me wash them off before painting and then played with the hose while I painted. Fun for them, I guess. Tomorrow I have class so they will have fun with Papa and Maga in the morning.

Day 40 and 41 Saturday and Sunday

Wow, we went to Camp Euforia in Lone Tree, Iowa. It was freezing in the middle of July! The boys and I wore sweatshirts and jeans. Yikes. We saw some outstanding bands... Public Property, Euforchestra, Purdy Uglies, HeatBox! Good thing we had the popup camper to keep us warm at night. Sunday was nap day once we got home. I did clean out the van, even vacuumed. Maybe we'll rest next week. Yeah, right!

Day 39 Friday

Friday we ran around getting everything finalized for our camping trip and left home about 2:00 for Camp Euforia near Iowa City. It is a weekend long concert with about about 20 bands. We arrived in the early afternoon and set up the camper. Bands started playing about 5:00. The boys and I saw Uniphonic and Public Property before heading to the camper around 10:00. What fun. Good Grief, bands were still playing when Jake woke up at 6:00 A.M. Let the fun begin for day 2!

Day 36-38 Tuesday - Thursday

Well, I should update daily or I forget our activities! I know that Tuesday we attempted to go grocery shopping for our weekend camping trip, but we left due to some naughty behavior! However, I did go after golfing in the evening. It's much easier alone! Wednesday we got some things ready for camping, including making breakfast burritos and popping up and cleaning out the camper.

Wednesday evening I went out with Kristi, Wendy Z. and Wendy P. It was great to have a girls' night out! Thursday I had to meet with Jan and Marcia from my class that started this Blog! We went over an article for class and discussed our podcast. Calvin went fishing on the flatbottom with Papa! He said they didn't even get a nibble. They went to It's on the River for lunch and apparently flyswatter for the restaurant. Jake and Maga Mitchell went to the Skybridge, John Deere Commons, and Vandeveer Park. Thursday evening we rented Benji Unleashed while Daddy went to a concert.

Day 35 Monday

Monday we walked up to the bank to make a deposit. Then we stopped at Fairway and got a couple of items for dinner. Cal rode his bike and Jake rode in the wagon. When we got back we had lunch, then went to Walmart to get an air pump to blow up the pool. While Jake napped, Cal and I blew up the pool and filled it with water. They both went swimming when Jake woke up and Ryan joined them for a while after dinner!

Day 33-34 Saturday and Sunday

Saturday the boys played in the sprinkler after I mowed the lawn. They had a blast going down the slide in the water. Saturday night they went with Maga and Papa (Grandma and Grandpa Mitchell) for the night! Date night for Ryan and Me. We went to Graze and then over to the Gripp's for UFC. The boys went to Michael's Sports World and drove go-carts, played miniature golf, and skee-ball. They had a great time with Maga and Papa.

Sunday Ryan went golfing so the boys and I headed out to the cabin. We went to Princeton Beach with Joe, Jonell and Jonell's sisters and kids. Then we had lunch back at the cabin. Cal and I went for a ride on the innner tubes with Erin and Logan. We went quite a bit faster than Calvin has been comfortable with this summer. It was good for him and he did fine. Now, he's bragging about going fast on the tube! Maga and Papa came out later and we went for a spin in the flat bottem boat. Papa has plans to take Cal out fishing on Thursday!

Both boys were exhausted and fell asleep on the way home! I think Papa and Maga let them stay up late on Saturday!

Day 30 Wed. - 32 Friday

Well, I haven't been online for a few days. Can't say I recall much of Wednesday, but Thursday was very eventful (is that a word). Thursday, July 9th was my Father-in-law's birthday. He passed away when I was pregnant with Calvin (my oldest and the first grandchild). So, we remembered him Thursday. First we met Maga (Grandma Jantzi) and cousin Mason at Chick-Fil-A for breakfast. Then we stopped at Slattery Park. Next we bought Birthday balloons and met Kelli and Jay and Joey at the cemetary. We sang Happy Birthday to Papa Jantzi and released the balloons into Heaven. In the afternoon we ate lunch at Scott County Park and then went swimming at the pool there. Finally, in the evening we all went to Grandma Jantzi's for dinner. It was a great day celebrating Papa!

Unfortunately, we had one upsetting event during our Papa Jantzi Day. Jake slipped off of some playground equipment and landed on his back. He seemed okay, but did favor his back much of the day.

Friday it rained all day long. I took Jake to the doctor just to be safe. She suggested ibuprofen 3x a day and warm baths. We'd have a follow up in a week if he still complained. Being himself, he's still running and jumping off of everything. Guess he's okay. Grandma Mitchell spent most of the day with us. I also had to take the van to Midas to get the windshield wipers fixed (or as Jake calls them swish wipers). Then we rented several movies since it was raining! The boys watched ET with Maga while I went to the grocery store. It is so much easier to go alone! Friday night we went to the River Bandits game. After waiting an hour for a delayed start, they decided to cancel the game. Bummer. We'll have to try another time.

Day 29 Tuesday

We sat around much of the morning waiting until the Fairmount Library opened at noon. Then we went to the library to turn in the first 1/2 of the summer reading program form. Then we checked out some books, movies, and "kids' songs" as the boys put it. Next we took a little trip out to the River to "fix" the satelite TV and grab the grill. Tuesday night I golfed, yeah!

Day 25-28 Friday - Monday

Fourth of July weekend! Ryan took Friday off so he and the boys and I ran around getting food and drinks for the holiday weekend. Friday night we went to a party in Tipton with the Sandys. Eventually, the boys had fun running around with Claire catching lightening bugs, even after Calvin had commented, "We came here for nothing." He was a little bored at first!

Saturday, the Fourth of July, we went to the Bettendorf Parade. It rained the entire time, but the boys didn't care. They got a bag full of candy that they spent much of the late morning sorting with Mason. We went out to the cabin with the Ebelings and Grizz, Maggie, and Lois. It rained steadily all day. Bummer for the Fourth of July. We had planned to go to Princeton Beach and then the slough... It cleared a little in the late evening. Our cabin neighbors lit many fireworks so we had our own private showing. Finally, Sunday we were able to boat all day and enjoy more Juloy-like weather.

Monday the boys and I walked over to Truman School and played on the playground equipment. In the evening, they put on the sprinkler and ran around getting soaked.

We are keeping very busy!

Day 22-24 Tuesday -Thursday

Tuesday we pretty much just rested at home. It has been cloudy and cool for late June in Iowa. I golfed at Hidden Hills with my mom, Wendy, and Marilyn. We had to wear sweatshirts!

Wednesday was busy. Cal wanted to spend some of his accumulated birthday money. We spent more than an hour wandering the aisles at Toys R Us, then Target. He bought a couple little things. Next we went to the Family Museum. The boys made shadow puppets, played at the exhibits, and went into the "Sky Lab" planetarium to see the July night sky! We finally made our way home about 3:00.

Thursday we went to Niabi Zoo with Maga Mitchell and Sophia. Of course we rode the train and the carosel. Jake liked the bobcats best. I think that was because they ran along side the fence next to him. Cal liked the giraffes. (Did I spell carosel and giraffe right? I don't think carosel is right...). The giraffes were really cool. They were actually "running" around which seemed unusual as they normally just stand there! What fun! We went to Kelli and Jay's in the evening for dinner and the boys just played around in the backyard.

Let the Fourth of July weekend begin!

Thursday-Monday Days 17-21, I think

Another fun-filled weekend. Since I'm posting Monday I can't even remember what we did Thursday. Friday we went over to Jeri's pool to swim, then off to the cabin for boating and dinner. Heather, Matt, and Claire Sandy and the Ebelings went with us to It's on the River for pizza and a dinner cruise on the pontoon. Then we went down to the slough to swim. Stayed over at the cabin Friday-Sunday...swimming, boating, hanging out at the beach... Matt, Claire, Ben, Maddie, and Oscar on Saturday; Cales on Sunday. Jake has a bit of swimmer's ear now. Can't keep him from jumping in and going underwater! We cut the grass at the cabin and cleaned up, reminding the boys that you should always leave someone else's stuff better than when you found it. Happy Joe's for dinner, baths, books, and bed by 8:30!

Monday was uneventful. Went to the doctor to get an Rx for Jake's swimmer's ear, then Frosty's at Wendy's after lunch. The Frosty's were from free certificates for being "caught" by the DNR on the River wearing lifejackets. Well done!

Day 15 and 16

Wow, it's hard to keep up with this everyday! Tuesday I had my class and the boys went to the cabin with my parents. They are getting braver and braver. Jake jumped off the dock alone (with a lifejacket on of course), following his brother, Calvin. Cal would help push him back to the ladder on the dock when he asked for it! I'm so proud of them. It makes me a little nervous to have them jumping into the Mississippi, however they know the rules of no getting in the water or even on the dock for that matter, without a grown-up present.

So, Wednesday we took a break from the cabin after being there for 5 days in a row. Jake was very crabby. I think he was absolutely exhausted from so much swimming, playing, sun, etc. I mowed the lawn and trimmed some bushes, we had lunch, ran over to Aunt Kelli's house and then chilled for the afternoon. Dinner was ribs at the Circle. Yum. The boys went right to bed when we got home about 7:45!

Days 11, 12, 13, 14

Wow, what a weekend! The boys and I went to my parent's cabin on Friday afternoon. My mom's side of the family was coming in for a family reunion. We spent Friday afternoon, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday boating, playing on Princeton beach, eating, chatting, and catching up! All of my aunts, uncles, cousins, and second cousins on my mom's side were there at one time or another (except Mike who had to work). It was so fun to watch my cousins children and mine play. Check back for a picture soon.

Who was there?
Pat and Nancy Mitchell (my dad and mom)
Joe, Jonell, and Sophia Mitchell (my brother, sister-in-law, and niece)
Ryan, Stacie, Calvin, and Jake Jantzi (my husband, me, and two sons)
Char and Steve Jones (my aunt and oldest cousin)
Dusty, Heather, Blake, Hailey, and Caden Jones (my cousin, his wife, and their children)
Dyan Hoover, Nikki Wilson, Dakota and Cheyene, Aaron Wilson and Nena (my aunt, counsin and her two kids, cousin and his daughter)
Greg Hoover, Matt Hoover, Steph Hoover and Tateum, Kate Hoover and Jason, Ashley Hoover (my uncle, cousin, cousin and her daughter, cousin and her finace, and cousin)
Carol Vee -aka Scooter- and Ryan and Nora (my aunt and two cousins)
Julie, Alan, and Trey Tucker (my aunt and two cousins)
I think that's everyone...

Day 10 Thursday

After yesterday's busy, busy day I chose to keep the boys at home. I cleaned and they played with Legos most of the morning. There were several thunderstorms so it was a good day to stay home. In the late afternoon it cleared up and we saw the Blue Angels flying over our house. Cool!

Day 9 Wednesday

Today was my oldest son, Calvin's sixth birthday. I can't believe he's already 6! We had a fun filled day. It began at the donut shop with Papa and Maga (my mom and dad). Then we went to the farmer's market for corn on the cob. Next we ate lunch at Happy Joe's (a local pizza place) where they sing a "Happy Birthday" type song and give the bday boy a free sundae. Yum. After lunch we went to Splash Landing and swam for about 2 1/2 hours. Jake fell asleep on the ride home of course. After Cal went to his swimming lesson at 5:00 we had both grandmas, grandpa, Uncles Joe and Jay, Aunts Jonell and Kelli, Cousins Sopia, Mason, Joey, and Aunt Mariellen over for BLTs and corn on the cob. Yum. The boys and I had a great day! Happy birthday, Calvin.

Day 8 Tuesday

Oh, I haven't updated in a while. The boys and I went to the library and registered for the summer reading program. Then we shopped for BLT fixens for Wednesday night. Finally, I golfed with my mom, and friend Marilyn. Yeah, adult time.

Day 7 Monday

Monday was fairly uneventful. We met Aunt Kelli, Mason, and Joey at Target to buy Maga (AKA Grandma) an iPod Shuffle for her birthday. Then we ate together at Chick-Fil-A. Next was a long nap for Jake while Cal and I attempted to put together a Lego motorcycle. Yikes. There must have been 100 steps.

In the evening we went to Kelli and Jay's to have Cheesecake for Maga's birthday. Now my job is to download good, fast, exercise worthy music onto her new iPod (and mine that I got for Mother's Day). I predict I'll have it done by the weekend!

Comments for discussion - What music do you like to exercise to? What toys games do/did your children/students like best?

Day 6 Sunday

We spent the day on the River with my parents, my brother Joe, his wife Jonell, and their daughter Sophia. The boys and Soph got covered in sand on the beach and jumped into the river many, many times. We finally got back to the cabin around 6:30 and took off for home and bed! Of course we needed a Whitey's stop first.

Comment question? What is/was your favorite summer time activity?
As a kid we went to a lake nearly every weekend called Oak Run. My brother and I swam and water skied, and played at the park. I'm hoping to give my boys those kinds of outdoor experiences...

Day 5 Saturday

In the morning I ran Race for the Cure with my mom. We took it at a slow jog (about 12 minute miles) and we were proud to finish without having to walk! We've done it at least 10 times in the past. It's our tradition each June.

In the afternoon we had Calvin's birthday party with some buddies from school. I made a scavenger hunt where they had to read simple clues (like Dad cooks outside here. - the grill). The kids read them (they all just finished kindergarten), went to the place where small prizes were waiting, and then got the next clue. We also had races outside, ate cake and ice cream, opened presents, and drew on the driveway with chalk. Two hours is a long time with 5 and 6 year olds!

Finally, we took off for my parent's cabin on the Mississippi River, just north of LeClaire for a bonfire! Busy Saturday.

Comment question? What's your favorite birthday memory?

Day 4 Friday

Okay, I'm catching up on Monday...
Friday we finished getting stuff ready for Cal's birthday party. Then my hubby, Ryan, and I took the boys to a River Bandits game. (We had free tickets from the reading program at school). They loved it. We left after the 4th inning, stopped for ice cream, and got the boys to bed at a reasonable time due to the busy upcoming weekend.

My question for comments: The ballpark is growing more family friendly by the day, but why must they charge so much for food and drinks. We had 3 free food coupons for hotdogs and a small pop, but still spent $20.00 on water, nachos, and tacos. Yikes!

Summer Break Day 3

Oh no, my third day began around 4:00 A.M. hovered over Calvin while he was throwing up. Yikes, this lasted about two hours until he finally dozed off again. When he woke up around 8:00, he was fine! We played around at home, I cleaned the bathrooms and did some laundry. Then we did a little birthday party shopping and returned the printer ink. Yeah, they took it back. Hooray for Office Max. Cal went to swimming lessons and then we attended Big Truck Night. It was at our Mississippi Bend AEA sponsored by Parents as Teachers. The boys had a blast with their cousins - Mason, Joey, and Sophia - climbing into firetrucks, garbage trucks, school buses, etc. I'll try to post some pictures.

So, classmates of The 23 Things...not much of a discussion starter, I know, but I guess I'm using this for a journal for the future! I've decided it's a neat way to get myself to write about our summer. A great memory builder for my boys.

Summer Break Day 2

Well, today wasn't too exciting. The boys and I went grocery shopping this morning. Then we unloaded and went back out to Office Max. I needed printer ink and a new connection cable for my camera. I got both, but my printer is not compatible with my new laptop. Great, I hope they'll take that $60.00 ink back. PBandJ for lunch at home, then a great nap for Jake. We're getting ready for Cal's birthday party with his school buddies on Saturday. I can't believe he'll be 6 next week. Stay tuned for Day 3...

First Day of Summer Break

I am taking a class to learn about all these great programs I can use with my fifth graders next year. My assignment this week is to create this blog. So, here it is. Staying with my blog title as Summer Stay-at-Home Mom...here is my first eventful day of summer break. My boys played in the backyard this morning, filling up jugs with water and emptying them into tubs; then sitting in the much too small tubs. I think they're ready to hit the pool. Maybe tomorrow if it doesn't rain. Next we got McDonald's and headed to a school playground for lunch and playtime. Of course my three year old needed to go to the bathroom within the first 10 minutes of lunch. Moms, what do you do? We headed to a nearby park that had a restroom and resolved the problem without incident. To end my afternoon I mowed the lawn while my three year old pushed his bubble mower around; and my five year old watched TV inside.

Okay... I am planning to eat at home this summer (less fast food) and plan activities minus TV. My excuse today? It's our first day, let's celebrate and do what we want!