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!

scenes of a heat wave.

Summer has officially begun at our house regardless if school is still in session. The minute the sun greeted herself with a heat wave this past week Chelsea asked if she could go down to the basement to grab the little blue pool. Noah was just as thrilled to get it as she was, and he was anxious to get in. Last year he wasn't too fond about going in too much. Now, that he's older he'll go straight to the water hose to fill it up, and after the pool is filled to capacity with water he'll jump right in.

He'll have control of the hose until he starts getting too cold, and then he'll want to sit in the water. Since our backyard is small I can hear everything from inside the house. I can hear Noah laughing while Chelsea is teasing him to splash her with the water hose. I can't help but to go outside to vine their moment, and enjoy the sounds of their giggles, and screams.  

These two seem to get along better when they are outdoors, or doing something productive in the house. They love playing in the park together, playing in the pool, going for a walk, and when we go to the shore, but when she practices piano, does her homework, or sits next to dad while reading a book he'll start picking on her. Yep...I'd say he wants her undivided attention, and instead of reciprocating it she gets annoyed & tells him to leave her alone. 

I have to nip things to the bud with these two, but overall they play well together. I'm sure that when they get older they are going to laugh about all these posts I wrote about them, and become the best of friends! 

I'm so happy that summer is pretty much here to stay for the next few months so that these two can release a lot of energy outside. 

Summer, we have so much to do together with these kids, and we are so glad you've arrived a couple of weeks early. Bring on the heat, and everything that comes with it.

We are ready!

Summer preview

I love, love seeing the kids getting excited for summer to begin, and for school to come to an end. As much as they all love school they are happy to have a long summer break! This past holiday weekend we pulled out Noah's little swimming pool, and they all decided to cool off from the sweltering heat. I love that they don't mind getting drenched in Noah's small waiting pool, and having a great time. I had so much fun taking these (instagram mania again), and wish I could fit inside that pool with them. 

There will be many moments of time spent in the pool, at the beach, camping, and hopefully trying to accomplish some of the things on our summer bucket list.

We can hardly wait!