Summertime, summertime, sum, sum, summertime

So far, so good! I know there are some moms that dread summertime, but I really don't. I look forward to having the kids at home. I miss them when they are at school, and I think it is so fun to hang out together. Plus, they're my little helpers around the house.

I do miss the extra alone time I have to get my work done, and there are times of fighting and the typical "I'm BORED!" But overall, we've had a great couple of weeks. I have really stuck to my guns on a couple of things this summer that have made a huge difference in everyone's attitudes and the overall peaceful feeling in our house: We watch little to no tv. And when we do, its educational. They read and do some math and writing every day. They spend two hours each morning outside. And we have tried to go on a walk every evening. Oh, and I've tried to keep a schedule. Not crazy strict, but we function better on a schedule.

I have to brag just a little. Bubba has been reading a children's illustrated version of "Treasure Island". He started it on Tuesday, and he has been so enthralled with it, he's been wanting to read non-stop. He read over two hours yesterday, and this morning the first thing he did was get the book out. He didn't even eat breakfast until after he had read for about 45 minutes. After breakfast and getting dressed, he picked it back up and I'm proud to say he finished!! It is 188 pages and 24 chapters. Pretty good for a 7 year old, I think.

Peanut woke up with the helper bug. By the time I got out of bed (slept in a little today, darn insomnia at night!), she had gotten herself dressed, brushed her teeth, and brushed her hair. Then, she made herself breakfast, cleaned off the kitchen table and counter, vacuumed the hallway, and cleaned up some toys in Bubba's room. What a girl!! She is such a sweetheart and was really in a mood to work today, I guess.

Do I have great kids, or what?

Love my kids. Love my hubby (stay tuned for a bragging note about him later). We have challenges just like everyone, but we're so blessed and life is good.

It's NOT always sunny in Utah

I usually write posts about fun things, or pictures of the kids. Today is different. Today is not fun. And I don't think they want their pictures taken. Don't worry, we're okay. Life happens. Its just one of those days that my mood matches the gray, cloudy skies. Here's my brief post with our TOP TEN today, so far:

1. Bubba is now sick, and it looks like its probably strep. I hope the doctor will call in a prescription for us so we don't have to pay for another visit (we don't have insurance right now).
2. Peanut finished her final round of antibiotics today. She was taking them for strep. Since I was up so much with Bub last night, I didn't have the energy to get her up and ready for school and she didn't want to go anyway. She can have a lazy day.
3. Jeff has had a headache on and off for the past few days, but last night it turned into a migraine. I worry that he is getting sick as well.
4. I have almost a full load of work today, which is a good thing. But when I have all the sickies, its hard to get work done.
5. I forgot to pay our cell phone bill, so I couldn't text my sister this morning. Thankfully, I paid it online and we avoided a crisis! I would be lost if I couldn't communicate with my sis.
6. There is a kid at school who is probably the most advanced in the class. Unfortunately, he knows it and rubs it in to the other kids. Mine in particular, it seems. He's very competitive and tells them that they aren't as smart as him because they might have missed one or two math problems. Little jerk. My mean, protective side is coming out and I'd like to give him a good, hard noogie. But I won't.
7. Our house is a mess. But I don't have time to clean it right now.
8. We at least have clean underwear, but they are pretty much the only clean clothes in our house. Laundry needs to be done. I'll get there.
9. I'm really ticked off that my kids get sick because parents send their kids to school sick. The strep has been going around their class. People really need to get a clue. Think of someone besides yourself for once. This coming from the lady whining about how difficult my life is today.
10. I'm blogging instead of working on any of the million things I should be doing.


P.S. We will (hopefully) return to our regularly happy, positive programming sometime in the near future.

P.P.S. I miss my mom