Pools, Slides and Sadie

This week has been an adventure with a lot of swim time. Thankful for that since it's been so unusually hot for this time of year here.

Our next door neighbors were out of town and were very nice to let us use their pool so the kids swam in there for two days. That was before our shark water slide for the backyard arrived. The girls had fun playing in it one night and then had some friends join them the next day for some outside fun complete with a giant bubble rope which I guess is fun for ages 6-96!

On Sunday we went to my brother's pool to celebrate his birthday so more pool/swim time. I can't say between these water activities and our beach in Michigan that we are really missing the pools this summer (except for swim team which Peyton was looking forward to) as we've managed to stay cool . In fact, we all have a pretty strong tan going on even with sunscreen and it's not even July yet.

Sadie did think the shark water slide with the pool at the bottom was a giant water bowl for her and I'm sure she wanted to cool off in it too but it would take forever for her to dry. We did buy her a cooling vest that you wet and then zip her up in it and that keeps her cooler than normal for walks during the hot weather (which need to be limited). Sadie isn't doing too many walks anyway as a few days ago she injured her knee. Her vet thinks she twisted it. Either way this dog is prone to injuries since she had a tear in the other knee not long ago. Despite these injuries, her vet thinks her osteoarthritis is the main issue she has now and the Wobbler's disease is really secondary. From watching her, I concur. She is experiencing extreme arthritis particularly in her back legs so we need to start treating her with pain medication to keep her more comfortable and agile. This is her life now and for probably the rest of it and we'll need to manage it as best we can. I'm hoping we get to a point where she doesn't appear to be a 14 year old dog instead of a 4 year old one but her quality of life is still good and she's happy - especially if she's outside on our porch in Michigan or on the couch next to her humans.

Father's Day 2020

We've experienced unprecedented times lately with COVID-19 but I feel like we've also had unprecedented weather for June. It's been hot and the rain has stayed away for the most part.

This past week looked great so Tom was able to take two days off from work so we could enjoy a little beach time in Michigan that didn't cover just a weekend. We went to the beach three days in a row - Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

My dad joined us on Friday and then Austen and Tom played golf with him on Saturday morning in Michigan. They were supposed to play Sunday morning in honor of Father's Day but it looked like rain all morning that day so they were able to switch it to Saturday. However, the rain must've missed us because when we woke up on Sunday morning it was a beautiful day although a bit cool.

Needing a break from the beach we enjoyed a leisurely brunch and then went to play a round of miniature golf with the family. The course we went to we had been to before but it had been about six years since we played that course. I remember it well because Peyton was in a full meltdown when we played there and it was unbearably hot. This time the kids were a bit older and we chose the shady, but challenging back 18 course. Peyton did not have any meltdowns and her mini golf game has certainly improved. Hailey, who normally needs Austen's assistance, gained more confidence playing this time and golfed at least half of the holes without him. I think she's finally learned how to hold the club and where to position herself to hit the ball. Tom skunked all of us (but it was Father's Day so I had to let him win, right?) with Austen as a close second and Papa in third. We celebrated our victories with frozen yogurt in the town of Holland. It was strange as it was the first business that we had been in since the virus that did not require a mask. That night we went to a restaurant in St. Joe for dinner and they required us to wear a mask to just walk through the restaurant to get to the outside dining. But it was worth it. We had a great meal right on the marina and the weather was perfect for outside dining and a walk around the marina after.

We arrived home tonight after spending five nights in Michigan and we're already counting the days til more golf and more beach time! And, right now when there are no vacations in sight for the rest of 2020 for us, we're relishing our time at the beach a little more this year and counting our blessings that so many years ago we didn't give up on our dream of someday having a beach house. 

A Year Ago Today...

...we were in Vancouver getting ready for our Disney Cruise to Alaska. I'm so glad that we got that in last year instead of waiting til this year. I'm all about my vacations and making memories so I'm really feeling it now with no real vacations in sight at least for the rest of 2020. Believe me, I've tried but with the level of uncertainty and trying to make all of the pieces fit again as to when to go, it's just not worth it. So here's to cramming in a lot of vacations in 2021! We're saving up, Tom! So don't be surprised if we go on more than two next year (we kind of have to to use our credits by the end of the year anyway). And, it will be Austen's last year before high school where we have to contend with loads of schoolwork and even more sports schedules.

A year ago today my house was also never as clean as it is right now. We've scoured it from top to bottom - getting rid of things we don't need and donating others. My favorite thing that I redid has to be my pantry though. That was a few days of work as I reorganized and labeled items into baskets and jars.

I must admit that I'm losing steam though as the shelter in place has lifted and life has gotten busier again, and I'm just plain tired of cleaning things out and reorganizing.  But, I'm so glad that I was on a roll during the colder months because I'm trying to muster up some motivation to finish my own closet and drawers little by little. I have about 10 days til Amvets comes so I think I'll be able to make it in that time. That's my goal.

Tonight, we finished redoing Austen's bathroom from a shark theme he had when we moved in when he was in the first grade to a more grown up rising 8th grader's bathroom (we redid his room almost 2 years ago but never touched his bathroom). 

Other than that, I feel like it's going to be a long summer with no real camps for the younger kids and a lot of speculation on what's going to be okay to do for everyone else. At least we have Michigan but even then not sure what will be open and what will be allowed. One thing is for sure, it will definitely be a different kind of summer!

The Start of Summer 2020

The start of summer has been great due to our hot weather. Thankfully it's been nice so we can get outside a lot, have some "driveway drinks" with friends and get to the beach too!

This past weekend, we got to enjoy three out of four days at the beach in Michigan. The high water levels have wreaked havoc on our beach. Lots of erosion and little beach. Luckily we have some good friends with a great big beach who let us come over and use theirs so we get our beach time in too.  The one day we couldn't get

to the beach it turned chilly later but that was a great night to cook S'mores in our fire pit. Tom also bought a smoker for up there so we enjoyed a smoked pork tenderloin this weekend. Looking forward to many more smoked meats up there. Yum!

Other than that not much else going on as we roll into summer. We finally cleaned out the entire garage at home. What a feat! Took us 1 1/2 days! Now just my room/clothes are left to clean out. I already have a scheduled AmVets pick up time and we have researched shredding events and recycling options too for electronics and old holiday lights so we can get this stuff out of our house sooner rather than later.

The kids are taking a little break from school before they start their summer reading and math packets. Well, that's except for Austen who has had to study for his Confirmation test!

I figure by the end of this week or next week, we'll get back into doing those packets. After all, this year more than any other year, I'm not ready to dive into those packets yet as it will feel like e-learning to me all over again! So I'm good with waiting a bit.

This week has some storms predicted in our area at home but the kids got to enjoy most of today at their friends' pools. Austen cut the grass and had to get in soccer practice before the rain came so even with a laid back summer it's still busy for us. There's always something to get done but I like it that way too. I like to be busy. Although I'm not going to lie - I would enjoy a whole day reading a good book on our porch in Michigan!

And That's a Wrap!

E-learning is finished for this school year (let's hope we don't have a repeat of it in the Fall). Hailey is now officially a first grader, Peyton is on to fifth grade and Austen is a rising eighth grader. To me they still seem like my little kids but it's hard to deny now that Austen has passed me up by more than a few inches and his voice is changing too. Peyton has gotten so tall as well and has grown out of every single piece of clothing she wore last summer. I think she's going to pass me up in height somewhere in her 5th grade year. Hailey's hair has grown so long, I can't wait til she gets her hair cut at the end of the month and she's already starting to wear size 7 clothes. The pediatrician thinks my girls will be about 5'6" so way taller than me.

Tomorrow we drive through the elementary and middle school car lines to drop off and pick up school items. How bittersweet this school year ended. I feel like my younger two especially did not get the time that they should have had with some really great teachers. But time moves on. Peyton is starting to bike alone with her friends to town and the park. She's happy to be with her friends again and having some newfound freedom as a fifth grader has been an extra bonus (although I caught her and her friend today trying to cross in the middle of the street/railroad tracks in our downtown because the sidewalk was under construction instead of heading back to the crosswalk to go on the other side).

Austen has been venturing out with friends riding his bike and has played some golf since the "shelter in place" has lifted but starting today he won't have the kind of time he's enjoyed to just hang out. Soccer practice three times per week started up for him tonight and baseball practice starts tomorrow. Both travel leagues hope to squeeze in a mini season in July and August to make up for no spring season. So life is busy again as I've had to start using my real calendar now too!

Things are a little back to normal too as people are more lax about being out and about but masks are commonplace for sure now. The kids all have one and I'm thinking about buying a few so they match our outfits (kidding, but I think it would be nice to try out a few to see which are more comfortable as I think we'll be wearing them for awhile). I had to doctor mine up because I liked hooking it around the ear better than the ones that need to be tied around the head - especially for girls/women as it messes with your hair too much.

Looking forward to the start of summer for us and spending some time in the sun at the lake in Michigan (now that our garage and our entire house - well, almost, is cleaned out!).

Bring on summer! Hoping the second half of 2020 is better than the first 6 months!