Summer fun

It's nice to be able to sit down and blog today. It's been awhile, and I have felt many times, the need to blog, but just haven't seem to be able to fit it in with all going on. Anyone else out there feel that way? I sure hope so..

My three older kids left for church camp this week..They have been SO excited to go. Morgan and Chase are counselors this year for the first time, and Zach is a camper. We spent all weekend getting them ready, washed clothes, packed, last minute trip to Wal-mart, we all know those, and then off they go. The preparation for this was exhausting, I tell you. Everything I bought, it was X three. Bug repellent, suntan lotion, bible and notebook, bedding, washcloths, towels, pillows, all the bathroom necessities of course. I was thinking "Man, I am going to need a vacation myself after this." Needless to say, everything was checked off the check list and I just got it done, ya know?  Sunday as we were finishing everything up, I told Zach "You must be going through a growth spurt, because none of his clothes I tried to pack, fit him." I told him "You need to stop eating so much" and he kinda laughed.

Sunday evening approached and it was time to get them all showered and bags by the door. I looked at my front door, and it looked like I had a soldier going off to boot camp. I had them all get ready for bed, showers, snacks and off I sent them, since we had a early morning ahead. It wasn't but 15 minutes after Braden and Zachary went to bed, that I hear Braden pouncing down the stairs. As of late, Braden has become Zach's messenger (I know someone who is going to get a kick out of this) when they go to bed. Braden says "Mommy, Zachary is still hungry" I said as always "Braden, go to bed" five minutes later stomping, stomping, "Mommy, Zachary's ribs hurt"  Braden, go to bed! Ten minutes went by this time and Braden comes down the stairs very quietly.."Mommy, Zachary says he is hungry and needs to eat because he is going through a grope spurg" really? the kids doesn't miss a beat. I think it is hilarious.

Well, the kids are gone and Braden and I have been little fish all week..We haven't been out of the pool one time. I have taught him in 2 days, how to swim, dive to the bottom and retrieve swim rings and jump into the deep end and swim to the side..I am just amazed at how fast he has learned and it's just amazing to Jonathan and I. It is definitely a Braden and Mommy week and we are sure living it up! By the end of the week I should have a good case of sunburn, exhaustion, exercise and swimmers ear!

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer as much as I am!

S~

Servant Mom

Wow! It's Sunday night and I can actually sit down and say..<sigh>  What an interesting weekend it has been. It was the first weekend in many weeks, that we just didn't have anything scheduled, so we just kinda took it easy and did things around the house and spent some quality time with Braden, since the other kids were out and about for the weekend.

We headed out to Sonny's Friday evening for a carb free salad bar, well close enough and we had to listen all the way there "I'm not eating at Sonny's, you are taking me to McDonald's" and I just had to kinda keep reminding myself who the parents were and we continued to drive on. We passed McDonald's and I heard the scream get louder, and of course the "I want McDonald's got louder too." We pulled into Sonny's, ordered, ate and then Braden said "I'm not eating here!" Jon and I continued to eat, when he said "I want a grilled cheese" I laughed and said "coming right up." I knew once we got there he would be OK, and the cycle continues..We headed out and asked for our drinks to go. Braden was walking out and said "hold this Servant Mom" I kinda said "doo what?" Jonathan said "NO SIR!" Braden said nonchalantly, "What?" I said "you don't talk to mommy like that" he said "ahh, it's just what they say on Backyardigans" I had to laugh as I continued to get rained on as we walked to the car.

We made our umpteenth stop at good old Wally World, picked up a few things, and of course the McDonald's trick didn't seem to work in his favor that night, so he pulled the all time famous "I just want to go to the toy section for one minute to see if they got any new toys in, but I'm not gonna ask to buy one" of course we didn't fall for that one either, and we headed on home for the night. Strike 2...

We are home, getting ready for bed, not 15 minutes later, he came crawling in to the room, with the "I'm scared, mommy" I said " Braden, go get in your bed" well guess what? He slept with us...No strike 3 for him that night. I guess after Mcdonald's, and Walmart, he finally got what he wanted...that day, the next day, and the next...Even managed to get some bubble time in there..

Much DVR time calling my name! xoxo

S~
                                                      Braden having some bubble time