Mid Summer Activity!

Wow!
Here we are at Mid July and the Patton family has been up to a lot!!!

Being exhausted is not an excuse to quit summer, I've learned; so, I've been powering through those tough, hot moments when summer threatens to over take me with group power naps.

I've been trying to balance being relaxed with being structured; having fun and having responsibilities.

There are some crazy moments in this household

We've been enjoying camps .......

Building a "worm hotel" at Al's Garden center kids camp

and John and I seize every opportunity to sneak away whenever we can to have some adult time!

Celebrating a friend's birthday at a winery 

The boys have loved practicing their bike riding in the forest paths near our home. James prefers to go without a shirt whenever possible. 

We've had simple fun.
Chaotic fun.

Ready for the parade!

And everything in between.

Praying that the sax-o-flute and bongo drum are but a passing trend....

One morning, the kids noticed a tree growing out of our roof!
We had fun making up clever stories about what would happen if this tree was allowed to grow.

A forest? Maybe a bird family would move in?! Or monkeys?!

I had a hot balloon land in front of me one morning on my early morning run in the park. That was a nice surprise.

This explains those crop circles I've been concerned about....

Summer has hit us, in all its glory!

Evie has been to a summer camp at her school, did a few days at Willowbrook arts camp, and has enjoyed practicing her swimming with her friends.

Sometimes.. I'm afraid though, she goes a little stir crazy at home......

This week ALL FOUR of my kids have VBS at a local church, which they are so enjoying (and I'm enjoying too!! Free mornings for one whole week?!) I am basking in the peace of my own home right now as I write this. 
I'm enjoying the simple tasks of folding laundry and cleaning up my kitchen in the silence. With the house so full all the time, this is a wonderful break. 

However, Summer wouldn't be summer without the noise and laughter (and fighting)......We've done some really fun outings.

We've done zoo trains,

park dates,

cul-de-sac dates,

and picnic dates!!!

We've ventured to Seaside with some friends,

 played in the mud under bridges...

 
and picked the most amazing berries!!!


We've danced;
           we've complained;
we've played with squirt guns and slip n'slides......
 

And then there was the Fourth of July!

                 


I think Fourth of July has become my favorite holiday. Our neighborhood has it down and knows how to celebrate.
A Parade, a party and fireworks. 

One of the ways I've been managing to get some alone time this summer is early morning runs. 
 John and I are training for a half marathon, so running for longer periods of time only works if I can get up before the kids.
I've been loving my time outside, when the dawn first hits. It's so peaceful in the forest alone.
I did a long run the morning of the Fourth of July, energized by the excitement of the day and the morning sky.
The early sky beckoned me to rise and meet the day. It was glorious.

Outside my deck early on the morning of the Fourth of July

Fourth of July felt like a REALLLLY long day. It was a good day, but I got up before the sunrise and the sun doesn't fully set until after 10 pm this time of year around here. 

Nightfall  made our surroundings electric.

 I stood on my back deck with James and we listened to booms of firecrackers that echoed all around us. James nestled into my neck. I could tell he was a little nervous about the explosions, but I know he felt safe and happy. 

He just enjoyed the most wonderful day. 

“How many more days until Fourth of July?” my kids asked me the following morning.

“364,” I replied. 

Their faces suddenly looked disappointed when they understood that was a lot of time. After a moment of contemplation, Evie shrugged and decided to set her sights on Halloween. 

But then James reminded her that we go to Chicago in less than a month. 

It's true. We are enjoying the summer so much here, but more fun awaits us in a few weeks when we visit my family. 

While there, John and I are getting to escape for five days alone, together! 

  John, still up to his spontaneous, romantic schemes after 15 years,  has planned us an adventure somewhere in the world....😁😁😁😁😁😁 I'll let you know.......................

Snapshot moments

Snapshot moments.
This is what I like to call them.
Those surreal, I can't believe this is my moment moments.
Pause.
   Absorb.
       Marinate. 
In this moment.
    Right now.
It is slipping by.
 In an instant.
 Better than a picture.
           It is Life.

The Patton Boys soaking in the sun at the softball picnic

Morning at the river

Softball awards picnic. Yes, everyone got a trophy 

This is our Fifth summer in this house, our Fifth summer with our boys, with our family.
It is the first summer where I don't feel completely overwhelmed.
In all the previous years I've always had a nanny or someone else with me when I took the four kids out to parks or museums. I stressed about caring for all of them and managing their needs alone.
This summer is completely different.

"Happy Father's Day Dad!"

The kids are telling jokes, laughing, interacting and playing together. They are running down the street, knocking on friend's doors, in the backyard, making rivers with the garden hose. They are riding bikes, getting themselves dressed, building forts.
They listen,
They play.
They have conversations.
They are real KIDS.
 Not babies.
 Not toddlers.
I thought this day would never come.

Dinner at Burgerville. Levi loved his strawberry milk shake. 

The Graduate 

Evelyn's school has quite a finale for Kindergarten. Adorned in little red caps and gowns, the kindergarten classes mounted the rafters on stage and preformed songs for all us captivated, proud parents.

They even received little diplomas. I guess this means they get to go to first grade. ;)

People tell me I will blink and she will be graduating high school. I know this is true.
It's going to go fast. I know it. I feel it. Each year is going to race by me like this one did and if I don't pause and soak it up, I will be left at the end with a few fragments of blurred activity.
How am I going to slow this all down? How am I going to capture these moments? This is the question I've been pondering.

Lazy summer afternoons

Well for starters, my hands are going to be off my phone. No zoning out on park benches. No mindless scrolling or texting. I'm going to let myself be bored sometimes. I'm going to be okay with gaps of time when I have nothing to occupy my mind.
I'm going to give myself the freedom to experience all that this life is right now.

The Portland Rose parade!

Secondly, I have the freedom to not over schedule our life. There are so many camps, activities, and opportunities that beckon to me. But this is the first summer when I don't feel the urgency of enrolling Evelyn in something so that she will be occupied. I feel capable of being in charge. I feel confident that everything is going to be ok if we are just exist and soak in the sun and hours together.
Finally, I am going to be intentional about recognizing the blessings in my day and to express gratefulness in the mundane. I am going to share these musings with my kids, to  recognize the simple things as absolutely astounding.

The music of the Shaved Ice Van was  a sight to behold on this hot summer afternoon. 

Summer is just beginning. 
We've already had backyard slip in slide playdates, an unexpected visit from the shaved ice truck on our street, and bike riding adventures.
I'm not naive to think that every moment is going to magical and enjoyable, but what I've been learning is that I have the power control how I'll be living in it. :)

Summer exhaustion after a long day

LegoLand 2018!

We  took our first real family vacation, and it was actually something I think we'd do again! Ha Ha! I can hardly believe it; who'd of thought!...the Patton family, actually assembling everything and loading up onto an airplane... for enjoyment!

We made family vacation memories.

We surprised the kids Christmas morning with the promise of Legoland! The kids were thrilled because the sound of it was so magical! However, they didn't have any context for what a place full of Legos was all about.
To them, May was so far away. But the anticipation stirred up so much excitement.
However, before we knew it,
 May 14, 2018 arrived. 
It just happened to be my 36th birthday. Yes, although the number is shocking when I look at it, I can in fact believe that I am this age and  going to Legoland on this day just about captured and celebrated this season appropriately.

I love being 36. I should be 36. My life screams 36: Four precious children, an amazing husband of 13 years, a place to call my home, deep friendships with a community of people I've know for more than a decade now; and the best part is we just keep aging together so no one really notices! 😀

Legoland for me summed up all of this beautiful life.

My parents, who live in Chicago, came along with us. It was a wonderful blessing for us all to experience our first family vacation with them.

It was also nice to have Grandma who is willing to get  in the pool with Evie and help her swim and Grandpa to accompany all the boys to the bathroom!

Evelyn looked forward to Legoland the most.  Last year we took just her to Disneyland and because of that experience, I believe she comprehended and anticipated more of what was to come. The day before when I asked her to start packing, she proudly replied she was finished. Opening her suitcase to double check, she indeed had packed; neatly folded were about five of her fanciest dresses and high heeled shoes! I smiled as I realized that her selection of clothing only showed her enthusiasm for her trip and that she regarded it as truly an occasion.
After suggesting she switch out her clothes for items that had less lace and ribbons, she started going through the boys clothes and packing them as well. I'm telling you, this little girl is turning into a little mama every day the way she cares for her brothers.

We met my parents at the airport on May 14, picking Evie up from school a little early. The energy in the car was electric.
Our reunion with Grandma and Grandpa was full of hugs, kisses and excitement, and we boarded our plane for San Diego.

Upon landing, John reserved for us a small youth group looking retreat van, the only rented vehicle that he could find to hold eight passengers and luggage.

The Patton Family Vacation Van

The kids thought it was great! It was truly a "Patton family vacation van." If you would have told me in my 20s that I would be excited about this mode of transportation, I would have laughed. Now I laugh because I love it!

We arrived at the Lego Castle after dark.

It was a sight to see, all lit up, the draw bridge down, welcoming our family into it's magic. The hotel was only open about 2 weeks, so it was brand new! It was a child's lego dream world.

Our room was outfitted and designed perfectly for our family of six. There was a separate master suit for John and me (with a lego dragon watching up throughout the night above our bed) and a room with bunk beds for the kids. Each night there was a puzzle the kids had to solve that unlocked the treasure box in the room which revealed a surprise.

The rides overall were pretty tame; this is the reason we decided to go to Legoland over another theme park. Our kids are easily intimidated and these rides were all giggles.

The jousting horse had to the the cutest ride I've ever seen 

One of their favorites, the helicopter ride. 

Upon entering the park the first day there was a rollar coaster. Albeit small, it still looked intimidating to the kids and everyone quickly decided that they would not be riding it.
However, James quietly took Grandma's hand and said he wanted to do it. "Are you sure...are you sure?!" We all asked.
He was kinda-sure, but determined to do what his other siblings were scared to attempt.
My mom said she'd go on it with him, but I really wanted to be a part of this whole experience too. So, we did it. I had front row. The rest of my family watched from below, and I made quite the scene as I playfully put my arms wildly in the sky. James huddled against my mom behind me, covering his eyes, yet staying strong as he endured the sharp, sudden drops.
Getting off, he was all smiles, confidently and proudly telling his siblings about it.
Upon hearing that James made it through, Evie and Caleb decided they didn't want to be left out and they bravely decided to give the ride a go too.

Scared but determined, they rode the ride, huddled nervously against Dad and Grandpa. There were even a few shed tears. Nonetheless, they exited the ride, proud of what they did.
They all agreed they didn't want to ride the coaster again; however, when asked later what their favorite part of the trip was, they all said the rollar coaster.

The Lego safari ride was quite the experience

 

These car rides were a favorite too: They even got little lego drivers license when they finished! 

I believe that conquering fears and doing something that seems unimaginable does produce a type of elation. In this case, it was also "out doing" their siblings. Except Levi. Levi has a timid yet strong personality. He knows what he is afraid of (which is a lot) and he doesn't care if he is the odd man out not wanting to do it. It didn't bother him at all that he was the only one not riding the coaster.

Boat building had them occupied for hours

Two days was plenty at Legoland. We got home late late on Wednesday, and the kids were ready to be back to normal for awhile.

However, looking forward to this trip for so long now produced somewhat of a let down as it was over and done. The kids have come to me the past two weeks since being home and said, "I miss Legoland."
They are learning that the anticipation of something in life is most of the fun; after the trip is over, we can now talk and think about the memories we shared on it.
And dream about our next one 😉

Until next time.....

Levi's face captured how he felt about some of the things at LegoLand

Beautiful Mess

I get to be in the thick of it. 
          The Mud. 
The pancake syrup.
                 The slug collection. 
The thick, messiness of life that four children bring. 

These boys, middle of the day...in the sludge, down by the river under the bridge, in the park. 
             Simple days,
                     throwing sticks into the water, cascading down the small stream...
finding
the
perfect
rocks
                 and tossing them into the water, analyzing the splashes, and vowing to do better.

These simple days, childhood days, of packing sandwiches and eating on a tire swing, making comments about the birds laughing-"tee hee, tee hee"- at the top of the oak trees.

Walking down grassy slopes,
            picking dandelions
and watching the seeds blow into the sky.

I get to be in the thick of this.
This 
beautiful 
mess.

8:30 am and we already have three outfit changes.

 7:00 pm at the park, negotiating with my children to not to fully submerge into sand box swamp because we need to go home now and get ready for bed...

She has hot dog stains on the front of her new softball  jersey right before team pictures.

convincing them that they need to finish their hotdogs and Fritos before eating their twinkies.. (?!?)

 .....sand trails throughout the house, deep into the crevices of the couch cushions, 
foot prints on the white carpet...
these are the reasons I don't have a life outside my kids and home....these reasons...these precious precious reasons...

Evie comes home from school, a new space between her front teeth. Another tooth is gone; dried blood stains the gap in her proud smile. Beaming, she presents her small little tooth, evidence that she is growing up.
John is out of town, and I realize I don't have any cash or can't possibly get to the store by night. Her hopes are set high for what the tooth fairy will bring....
Thank goodness for amazing friends and neighbors who can contribute $5.00 to the tooth fairy.

With the  stealth of a preying cat I slip into her bedroom that night, one eye on the target of her pillow and one eye on her heavy deep sleep breathing. I am slightly stressed, trying to get this job done. But alas, I succeed and make the transfer. Between my thumb and pointer finger  I hold the prize, a small tiny baby tooth. My initial thought was going to be to toss it down the toilet; but instead, I pause as I gaze at the barely visible tooth in my palm.
  I get flashbacks of six year earlier, of John and I absolutely astonished by the fact she has her first tooth sprouting.
We are beyond excited, giddy...texting pictures to family. 
And now, so fast it's gone, it's job is done.
 On to the next stage.
It's not needed any more.
And now, I can't bear to throw this tooth down the toilet.
Instead,  I put it far far in the back of my jewelry box, just so John can see it if he wants when he comes home from his business trip; but, somehow I think it will remain there longer.

These beautiful moments rushing past me, like Caleb tonight, dressed in his orange cape as "super boy" at the crowded park. Oblivious to everyone else he runs at full speed, cape flying in the wind.  His excitement is wild, real and uncontainable. He truly looks like a super boy, unstoppable and so big looking. I want him to be super boy forever.

Later, Levi comes crying to me from downstairs, blaming James. James knows he did wrong. He knows he's in trouble. And as I come down the stair case to confront his behavior, I already see him in the "time out" chair, arms crossed in front of him, that "James scowl" across his face.
I get to his level, try to understand what he did and why. I ask him to apologize to Levi, give him a hug. He mumbles a sorry and briefly embraces Levi. All is well now and James shuffles away.

It is night. I check on them as they sleep, all their daytime mischief laid to rest until tomorrow. There are small reminders of the day's events scattered throughout the house and yard.
But all is silent.
For a few short hours, anyhow, until the beautiful mess begins again.