THE POOL IS A LIFE SAVER.

"Mom, can we get in the pool" are the words that are uttered every day when Chelsea comes home from school, and it doesn't bother me. As much as I looooooovvveee spending time with the kids there comes a time when I need my own space, and time for myself so that I can rejuvenate, and be energized once summer break starts. Since the weather has been a lot warmer the kids have been going in the little blue pool every single day after school. I normally don't allow them to do that until the school year is over, but who are we kidding...it's been hot lately. Plus I don't want to be one of those mean moms who don't give their kids any freedom on a school day. I figure if they are done with their homework, practicing their piano, and it's still early (it doesn't get dark until 8 here) then by all means go outside, play in the pool, and leave me alone to relax, and read, or do something productive for an hour! Seriously...having them play in the pool has helped me catch up on some reading, and with all the errands I usually do during the day (believe me just because I'm a stay at home mom doesn't mean I sit around all day eating bon bons) it can really grow weary on me. So I am grateful for children who understand that mommy needs her space, and that they can entertain themselves with various outdoor activities such as the pool, chalking the sidewalk, painting...you get the picture. 

I have savored moment after moment with all my kids, but sometimes as a mom I know that I need some "me time" and it's okay. I love the last days of spring, and the early stages of summer because my attitude is in sunshine mode. Meaning that I'm happier because we can spend time outdoors, and not be cooped up in the house during brutal winters! Truth is I adore my family, and love being around them. Time is fleeting, and with that the world is changing. And when the world changes we change with it, and the kids grow up. 

So on the days that we don't go to the beach i am grateful for the little blue pool that helps my kids stay busy, happy, and sane during the summer months. Grateful that they are occupied with that while i finish a book, write in my journal, blog, or take pictures such as these when they were outside...

See...no matter what I can't stay away from my kids, but at the end of a hot, summer day the pool is a life saver, especially when I need some time to myself. 

June and Watermelon.

While most of our friends from out west and down south are done with school and have started their summer break we folks on the east coast still have one more week of school left!! Blame it on the polar vortex we had which caused an excessive amount of snow days which added more school days! Nonetheless we have made the best of June with starting our summer early regardless of school still being in session.  

This time of year simply begs for outdoor living, and I have been loving the warm weather we've been having lately except for the rain, and humidity. I mean really...what's up June? You're supposed to be warm, and sunny without hardly any humidity. My kids and I love you and hope that you'll get back to normal before the end of your month comes!

So the past two days have been pretty humid, but we always make the best of it...even after the rain. I've obviously become softer at saying yes to my kids to a lot of things lately. For one they always want to go in the pool after school. I have never, ever done that in the past, but for some reason this year has been totally different. Maybe it's because the kids are getting older, and I'm realizing that they need to have fun, and not just be stuck behind the piano for hours, as well as a book. Although those things are a must in this family they also need a little recreational time. I also feel that because school is ending for us at a later date that these kiddos deserve some relaxation time because before we know it summer will be over. 

June has brought nothing but having our kids live in our little blue pool, and eating lots of watermelon! I swear I have bought at least three watermelons since June started. I always ate watermelon as a little kid and because school ended earlier in Texas I knew that summer is not official unless we have watermelon. I have obviously instilled that in our family when summer time comes, and these kids can eat it all day long! 

One of the best things that makes me happy when these two are outside is that not only can I have some time to myself sitting outside reading a book (which in this case I'm laying down with Noah on my back) they are also getting along and playing nicely. 

There are a few moments though where they get a little too rambunctious and I have to stop relaxing to be their referee.

June is definitely off to a great start whether rain or shine. Even though there are moments where I sometimes complain about the rain, and being overcast I know that it's only temporary, and that after the rain there will be a beautiful rainbow waiting to show herself off which to me, is a sign of renewal. A sign of sunny days to come. A sign that when we look up we will see blue skies again...

while eating more watermelon.   

it's the small things that mean the most to our children.

I can't believe this week just flew by that quick. I guess that's what happens when you have about two weeks of school left, and you start buying things that show the signs of summer. Chelsea and Noah were so excited when we bought this pool last week. This is one activity that will definitely keep them occupied during the summer. This is where I'm grateful for tile floor that's easy to mop because any thing they pick up on their way in such as grass mixed in with a little bit of muddy water can easily be wiped down. I kind of like the look of a messy "wanna be" mudroom. I grew up with a little blue pool of my own, and it's fun to see that my kids are too. At 15 bucks a pool that lasts for a couple of years I'd say that's a good investment and your water bill isn't a gazillion dollars during the summer months. There are days where I tell myself how nice it would be to live in a house with a big backyard so that we can have an underground pool, but for the past six years we have learned to be grateful for the little things, (and a small water bill.) A little blue pool for our little backyard, as well as a little smoky joe for our little bbq's.Yep...this is what our summers are all about in our little backyard, and this is how we live it in New Jersey. 

Hope y'all have a nice weekend filled with nice weather, and children that help make your "off" days "turn on" with smiles of gratitude for the small and simple things we do for them. 

Because when I see my kids happy, I'm happy. And these days that's how I'm striving to live! 

Happy Weekend everyone!

what summers are made of.

When I lived in Texas as a child I remember taking endless showers. Sometimes two or three a day. My mom would get mad at me sometimes because she said I was wasting water. I think she gave up on me after the fact that, because we had no air condition in the house she understood why I was taking shower after shower.

The fact that our shower was outside didn't make it any better. I'd shower then dry off only to go outside and sweat again. Sometimes it felt as if I was at the beach rinsing off after swimming in the ocean. The fact is that I am grateful for running water and for my mom who stopped scolding me during those brutal summers in Texas for taking endless showers.

With summer coming to a close in a few weeks that memory came into my mind. During the heat wave we had in July I kept hearing wining voices saying, "It's so hot, and I'm itching."

Luckily I only dealt with one wining child instead of three (any guesses as to which child it was?)

All I have to say is thank goodness for bottled water, indoor showers, and a little blue pool that we have to cool these kids off.

I remember having one when I was their age, and my sister and I loved playing in it. I remember ours being a bit bigger though. Too bad I don't have any pictures of us in it. I know my mom had a polaroid back in the day, but hardly ever took pictures I guess that's why I'm a fanatic on taking pictures of my family.

Little blue pools are definitely made for summer, and it has been bittersweet seeing the kids playing in it! They are taking advantage of playing in it until the last minute of summers end!

keeping cool in the pool.

The days have been hot & humid, but that doesn't stop any of us from continuing to go on our walks on the trail, or play in the pool. 

I told you this pool was going to see the light of everyday this summer! 


Maybe we should invest in buying a bigger pool because there is no way we could ever install one in our backyard because we don't have enough room!! Still...these kids cannot get enough of the sun, their small pool, or these water sponges! We have made so many and the more Noah and Chelsea throw them at each other the quicker they tear apart which means we need to make more! 

I am so glad they all are continuing to have fun. We sure are keeping ourselves busy home during this summer, and taking advantage of each day because before we know it school will be resuming again.

I'm grateful for how the kids have been behaving while Sierra has been gone. We have all missed her, and the kids are super excited because she comes home tomorrow!

Yeah...summer is the best! Who cares if it's hot! As long as you get wet, and stay cool!