Here Comes Summer

 We kicked off summer here this past week.

Gabby headed off to pre-med summer camp which is kinda summer, but honestly more school.  She got a semester worth of credit towards her freshman biology course.  She learned to give shots, do stitches, and did dissections—the brain was her favorite.

After a day of boredom, I sent Nate on a quest to teach Ellie a  badge—Fire Safety and Fire Building.  She moved up in AHG, so her vest went from this:

To this:

She feels the need to start filling it up!

Katie has been busy babysitting, so no pictures there!

But we’re also planning a party.  She turned in her paperwork for her Stars and Stripes project and are waiting on final approval to celebrate her!

Summer

We’ve been on break for awhile, but summer is in full swing now.

This gal headed off to be a summer camp counselor.

‘The Thinker’ passed the swim test

And so did Nate—on a chilly pool day.

Ellie was tired out from her swim.  She’s close to passing the swim test too.

Summer

There is something so wonderful about summer.  We didn't have a big vacation or summer camp planned this year.  We've taken a few short trips, but mostly we've been here.

We've read books.  Lots and lots of books.  I don't generally have time for much of that during the school year, trying to keep up with the kids school and my AHG responsibilities.  The kids read all the time though, and summer is no different.  Katie convinced a friend or two to dive in to a series that she, Gabby, and a friend have been loving (Keeper of the Lost Cities), so much discussion has been had via text about characters and plot lines.  We all met the library reading challenges.

We picked up our YMCA membership again.  It is such a great way to spend a chunk of our day.  The older girls took the class to be able to use the wellness center (gym).  The younger two like the care centers. The people who work in them are delightful, and several of them are the same year after year, which is good.  Then, we go to the pool.  The older three are all quite good swimmers, and even Miss Ellie is starting to learn to let go and go a few feet.  I think she might take swimming lessons next year.

I've searched high and low for the best choices in school books for the fall, and everything is ordered.  The last box is to arrive today.  It is hard to believe that summer break is coming to a close, but that is what makes it so delightful.  It is a real from the routine, a change of pace.

I am grateful for this time, even more as we start to look at the piles of books and filling calendar!

Kristy

Swim

The gals were in swimming lessons for a couple of weeks.  I was hoping that they would be more independent that they are, but it is a start...

Parents aren't invited to watch until the last day, so I relied on their daily reports to hear what they did and learned each day.

I was hoping that they would be more independent swimmers after that length of time, but they are jumping in.

A Reprive

The weather has been so nice. The girls have been enjoying the unseasonably cool days playing outside. We have a nice set up with a swing set, climber, hula hoops, and balls. It's been great seeing them play together out there. Kate even pushes Gabby on the swing, since I'm having trouble doing that, between my allergies and growing belly.

As a kid, my sister and I spent our days outside. I remember playing kick ball with the neighbors, school, and climbing all over the swing set that my dad built, all summer long. I hope that the girls can enjoy playing outside for may years to come. It's good for their little bodies and nice for them to have the extra place to play.