Suddenly Six!: Summer 2016

It is the middle of July. THE MIDDLE OF JULY!!
What, how did this happen?!
I'm not complaining though. Since becoming a mom (and not teaching anymore) "summer break" takes on a whole new meaning.

Evie says "good-bye" to her preschool teacher

Evie's last day of preschool

Like last summer, I faced these three months with trepidation. How was I going to fill these long, hot days with the four kids?!
However, this summer really has not been hot. Last summer we spent many afternoons cooped up inside due to temperatures in the 90s and 100s. This summer, its been quite the opposite. Its been rather cloudy and cool. Although it doesn't feel like summer outside sometimes, I'm really not complaining because I prefer park playdates in the 70s rather than burning up in the 90s.

Although still exhausting, summer is not as daunting as previous summers when I had three babies and a two year old...

Summer 2014

And then three barely walking toddlers and a three year old.....

Summer 2015

This summer I have three curious, active little boys and an outgoing little girl.

Summer 2016

Berry season came early this year due to the hot spring we had. Amanda and I went berry picking with the kids.

Wandering the fields, picking berries and enjoying the fresh air revived my spirit.

All the kids enjoyed the outing. Evie delighted in finding the biggest berries and insisted she be in charge of the strawberry bucket.

On the other hand, Levi wanted to be commander in chief too, so he took his job of being in charge of the blueberry bucket very seriously. We told him that only blue berries were worthy of being kept; all the green, small ones should not be included in the bucket. If someone put one in that did not meet that discription, he tossed it out and explained that is was “no good.”

Caleb really didn’t care about picking berries. Initially he’d pick one up curiously only to squish it and cover himself in berry stain. After that, he was content to wander aimlessly in the berry patches, pick up sticks and throw rocks.

James spent his time eating all the berries. Although we told him not to, he would be hunched over secretly stuffing berries into his mouth. He was so “red handed”…berry juice literally covered every inch of his guilty face, and later he had quite the tummy ache (and diaper explosion)

I just delighted in seeing my kids in the fresh air, away from the temptation of technology or the lure of TV.

Fun on the farm

The fourth of July parade with cousins Cady and Geneva and friends Braydon and Avonlea

This year was the first year I can remember when it really didn’t feel like the fourth of July because it was so overcast and chilly during the parade morning. Nevertheless, the kids still had a good time collecting candy, walking in our neighborhood parade in the afternoon (the sun peaked out then!), and ending the day at a friend's BBQ.

Happy 4th!

Speaking of BBQ, our family has been invited and has attended several BBQs this summer, a huge milestone!
People actually dare to invite our family over! It's not completely stress- less yet, but this is the first summer we even attempted such an outing.

Another personal highlight is that John and I got out to hike one afternoon in the gorge by ourselves. There's nothing better than walking through waterfalls. And I love that we are 40 min from this paradise.

Elowah Falls

In addition to a dance camp with her friend and some camps at her preschool, Evie also took swimming lessons-and passed!- her level 1. This is a big accomplishment for her. When she began them in April, she was very hesitant about water. With a little instruction and some pool time with her friends, she has made great strides.

Evie also got to do her first overnight trip in Seattle to visit her cousins with Grammie and Grandpa. She was very excited about this. I believe it was a great memory and a special time.

So far, summer 2016 will be remembered as one that is definitely more manageable than all the other previous summers.

Being able to take all four kids in the backyard solo is a huge accomplishment compared to last summer.

It's still overwhelming and extremely depleting, but little by little I do see the sunny breaks in the clouds.