What will you remember?

Yesterday we went on a bike ride and today we escaped to the arboretum, and I wonder what will you remember?

Will you remember our bike ride was filled with quite a few stops and probably added an extra hour or so onto our time together?! Thank goodness for a bike shop that we could walk to and a friend who loaned me $20 for a new tube for my tire.



Or will you remember picking raspberries, mulberries and walnuts instead?



Will you remember the ice cream stop and a surprise visit by dad?! After a flat tire on the bridge I was ready for a beer and a basket of fries and a ride home in a truck! Thanks to your patience and excitement for an ice cream stop you both followed like little ducklings and were rewarded! Let's just say I'm amazed by your ability to peddle a bike with little breaks and complaints.

Our arboretum trip was topped with a hatching dinosaur from the gift shop...only because you brought your change bag with you Jacob, and had enough change to buy you AND your sister one. So much for savings, you'll build it up some day. Some days are filled with a little kindness and love for each other...hopefully you'll be buying each other beers in the future. Just remember, your sister is going to make you laugh. So its good to stick together and watch out for each other.

Tball

Tball was a success! You liked everything about it. You hustled when it was time to run, you stood on the base and didn't move when the ball was hit (like everyone else) you threw it to third (literally) and you chased the kid home in order to get an out! You looked forward to going, but totally recommended to Jacob that he shouldn't sign up for it because you had to get up so early! 

We made it on time most days but struggled when the prep wasn't done the night before or I let you sleep a few extra extra minutes. I'm so happy you enjoyed it! Because you are only 5 and that is all it should be about now! That and having an ice pop on the last day.  

As parents we are wondering what is best for you two. Should we do what everyone else is doing or what you want to do? We will support you in whatever your interests are because we know  playing sports will teach you life lessons without you realizing it. It will teach you many things including:  being prompt and not late, how to support your teammates, the importance of listening and respecting your coaches, the value of hard work and dedication, it's not about being the best but giving your best, it's not about the winning it is about having fun, it provides you a platform to show your true character and heart, but it can also give you a chance to gain whatever you want to get out of it.  

So whatever bleacher, sideline or venue we watch from...just know that we are having fun and enjoy watching you both have fun. 

A little summer fun...

Laundry

Remember when you guys would be little piles of "laundry" and yell for dad? 

"Dad there's some dirty laundry on the floor!"

Dad would scoop you up and put you through all of the cycles and would even dry you. Laughter would fill the air and usually someone would say, "do it again daddy!" Only one time I heard a thud instead of shrill. A little scary for dad. 

Our new house hasn't been filled with those requests because of shoulder problems. Now that the shoulder is feeling better the back problem allowed you do it on the couch. 

We usually have piles of laundry all over the house. A pile of pond clothes, a pile of wet swim towels, a pile of pond towels, a pile of Jacob's pjs and Julia's dirty socks. I'm sure we will miss those piles some day. But nothing brings me greater joy than seeing a little toddler covered up by our favorite frog, duck or dog towels. I would love to find those towels in bigger sizes so you could take them to college with you. Instead I'll just box these up as you outgrow them and hope that your cuteness doesn't leave you anytime soon. 

Our little bloopers

So the other day I let you and your brother pick out 2 things at the dollar store. You opted for the wicked green hair extension head band and a brush for your back pack. Jacob got his 2 packs of Pokémon and was nice enough to share one of the doubles with you. Anyhow. You asked for my phone to take a picture of your hair which turned into multiple selfies. I couldn't believe you were actually wearing this thing but opted not to wear it in Aldi. 

So we got home and you both hopped out of the van to take a ride in the circle...you had your hair on. I secretly wished for my camera to snap a picture and wanted your dad to see your new look. After unloading the van and coming back outside you approached with a sad face. You said Jacob got to close to you with his bike and your hair was stuck in his bike! I'm sorry I laughed. But I couldn't help myself. So then I had to promise a trip to the store to buy a new one. 

Relaxing by the pool?

As I was laying on the lounge chair and sipping on what i wish was spiked water, I couldn't get use to the feeling, the feeling of freedom and relaxation. No one was asking for goggles, towels, toys or snacks. It was a little taste of what I remember poolside being like over 25 years ago. It was so nice and felt so good that I hopped off my chair to see what you two were up to. You were just a little too far out of sight Jacob, but when I caught a glimpse of your yellow swim shirt, my heart was at ease and your heart was full! You and max had the perfect plan for pool time. I tried sitting down again, but I couldn't get a picture of Julia plummeting out of the slides or high dive. So, needless to say I had fun just watching you and loving the fact that you checked in with me before you moved into something new. Totally worth 21$ and thankful for the neighbors who had pool passes and made it all worth it!