Drew's Birthday

We went ahead and celebrated Drew's birthday Monday night, even though her birthday isn't until Thursday (the 19th). We have a wedding that Evan and Alli are in this coming weekend, and with it being summer and everything, it seemed like everyone around us had plans last weekend, so since it is summer and the kids don't have school, we just had a little spend-the-night party on Monday night. Drew had 3 girls over, 2 of which spent the night, and then her grandparents came for dinner and cake and present opening. The kids got to swim in our little above ground pool, and then did a little craft, and ate, and swam some more, and then got in bed for a movie. I turned in around 11:30, but I'm not sure what the girls did. They were in Drew's room all nice and quiet. Drew said after their movie they played a game of Go Fish and then whispered a little, and then went to sleep. The next morning everyone was up bright and early, and I made blueberry muffins and bacon, and then took everyone home. We made it through the entire experience with no fights or hurt feelings, which I was thrilled with.

Will Summer Ever Arrive?!

It seems like all summer I've been thinking, "I can't wait for this to pass so I can relax and enjoy my summer," and then something else comes up. And when I have a moment where there's not some major project going on, there's a Mt. Everest of laundry, or a pile of dirty dishes in a nasty kitchen, or just a messy house to deal with. I have decided that there is nothing I hate more than housework. The other day I was spinning my wheels determined that the kids would clean their own rooms, which they eventually did. But while I was trying to explain the concept that if they would quit whining and just do it, it would be over with and then they could go out and play or whatever. Drew's response was, "You're used to this because you do it all the time and we're just not." After all the steam in my body flew out my ears and my eyes quit spitting fire, I explained to her that I will never be used to having to clean all the messes, 90% of which I had nothing to do with, and that I detest cleaning, but there comes a point in life when we just have to suck it up and take responsibility. I went on to explain that my job is not only to see to it that she is loved and cared for, but also to make sure that she grows up to be a decent adult and learns to take care of her own things and does not suck society dry through her irresponsibility. After 7 years of mothering, I have taken on the trait of going on and on without taking a breath, just like my mom used to do. And I noticed Drew standing there with that look on her face that said, "Will it ever end?!" just like I used to do to my mom. Such is the circle of life. These are some pictures of me and Drew painting some old shelves that I will have in my classroom -- another project. Anyone who knows me is probably gasping at the thought that I would let my kids near paint, because I generally believe in preventing disasters all together, and kids + paint = disaster, but I thought, this is a big job, and Drew can handle a first coat. Drew did fine, but somehow behind my back, Evan and Alli managed to get their little fingers into the paint (notice the paint on the posts of the porch, and all over Alli's shirt), and for some reason, I thought, "these will make lovely blog pictures." So, for those of you wondering why I would take a picture and remember this forever instead of instilling the so deserved discipline (note a bit of sarcasm), sometimes I'm just too darn tired.