Sweet Summertime

Summer is just about over here. The kids start preschool again next week, and most of their friends are already in school. Usually I have mixed feelings, but not this year. Dexter has hated the heat so it's been a bit hard the last few months. Asher and Piper want to live at the beach and the pool, but Dex just doesn't like being hot. Yesterday it wasn't too bad in the morning so Clarissa and I took the kids to Virginia and we spent some time at the Fun Forest. 

 Ashman is taking after his Daddy with a love of rock climbing.

 Dex loved running around and having some freedom.

 This guy can't go anywhere without some wheels.

Brody is so sweet with Piper. She is definitely still in the princess stage of life. She expects to be waited on quite often.

Seriously can you handle his cuteness? He spent the whole time swinging with this expression on his face while holding onto his crackers. 

After the park we went to lunch and then target. I was going to pick up a few things for Asher's party, but the level of whining put a stop to those plans. I left with Piper screaming "You didn't buy anything for my princess party". Her birthday isn't until next June. I guess she likes to plan ahead.  

Friends

Last week we headed back to our old neighborhood and hung out with Ronnie and Lois. The kids had such a fun time seeing them and swimming. 

 Asher has changed so much this summer and it has been amazing to watch. He swims completely on his own now, and at the beginning of the summer he was terrified. He is also riding a bike without training wheels. I love seeing his confidence. He is so proud of his accomplishments.

 Silly little Piper. Lois has a little fountain and Pipes spent most of the day sitting in there instead of the pool.

Dex actually had a great day in the water as well. He loves climbing in and out. I spend most of my days now just chasing him around.

5k

Last Saturday morning Asher and I did a 5k together. It was such an awesome experience to share with him. He has been wanting to do another race for a while and this was by far the longest he has done. We started off by running and then alternated running and walking. The last mile was really hard for him. His side was hurting and he wanted to just stop. Every time he said he wanted to stop I yelled "No quitting". He would yell it back and we kept saying it louder and louder. We talked a lot about perseverance and how important it is. I am so so glad for the morning with my Ashman.

 At the end of the race they had medals for the top three runners in each age group. Asher got first for boys 12 and under. He was actually the only boy in his age group. It was such an accomplishment for him to be so young and to do this. He was thrilled to be called up to the front and get his medal.

I pray that he will continue to have perseverance throughout his whole life.

Painting

I think one of the hardest parts of parenting for me is the realization that I will always be tired. Piper wakes around 5:30 every day and the boys are up before 7. It's hard. Most days we have morning plans, but about once a week we have no where to go. These are the hard days. By about 8:15 Asher is usually whining about turning the TV on. Unless we have sick kids our rule is that it stays off in the morning and they get a certain amount in the afternoon. It's so hot out that it's hard to be outside, so that means I have to be creative about indoor things. 

Luckily Sage and Brody came over today and all the kids wanted to paint (except Dex, he was too busy trying to play in the litter box). 

 When Asher isn't painting blimps on blue paper he enjoys making cheesy smiles.

Piper is just happy we haven't run out of the pink paper yet. At one point in the morning she looked over at Sage and said "You are just so beautiful. I am beautiful too". Well at least she doesn't lack in the self-esteem department.

It's 12:30 now and the kids are getting their TV time and I am going to sneak into the kitchen and eat the last brownie and try to not fall asleep.