Summer

Who here loves summer? I do...who wouldn't you go to the pool, its sunny, vacations (well not for us but for some)

Next question...who here has KIDS and still loves summer?? AAH..I got you on that one! I know there are some people out there, some that even read this blog, who love having their kids home all summer. I just have to say that I give you major props because having a 6 year old home all day is HARD WORK.

And yes, I have TONS of activities planned. But when we return from said activities that A. cost money B. took time to plan and travel to and C. were tons of fun I am still met with the whine that every mother has heard a million times in the summer months: "I'm boooored"

What the? Did we not just spend 3 hours at soccer followed by 2 hours at the pool (with a fun friend) followed by a play date or a primary party or the carousel or whatever. It could be any combo of these things and without fail when we get home its "I'm booored" And when I suggest things like a bug hunt or an exploration I'm met with "I've done that already." Oh and my other favorite is "there's nothing to eat" which is not exclusive to summer but I've been hearing it ALOT!

Both of my kids have obsessions this summer. For E it is Anna. Anna is the girl next door....she is the most adorable 8 year old with bright blond hair who E is OBSESSED with. Of course Anna tolerates E, but they are 2 years apart and have very different interests. E wants to play dress up while Anna is worried about advertising for her new, recently bankrupt, dog walking company. (Five minutes after starting the business when she couldn't find anybody's dog to walk she decided it was time for a picnic) Everytime E sees Anna's car in its spot she runs over to see if she can play. Sadly Anna has been making excuses which of course sends E running home in tears and has my heart breaking for her. But she has found a great friend in her cousin who is only 1 year younger and that consoles her. Of course Anna is happy to play with her when her friends aren't around. Yesterday she played wedding and got all dressed up and she was the flower girl! I love the imagination that comes out of these "bored" kids.

L's obsession this summer is the front door. It has a handle that is very easy for him to use and often the only reason we know that he is out is because there is an alarm system that beeps when you open the door. He FREAKS when you close it or lock the top lock. L also loves to sit in the drivers seat and push all the buttons and put the keys in the ignition...as a result he HATES to get in his carseat because he would rather be driving. I'm sure you are all saying yeah my kids don't like it either, but I mean he HATES it. He thrashes and will go limp and then stiff and he will slide to the floor and turn around and screeeaam. Every. Single. Time we get in the car. Fun stuff. So consequently our two favorite past times are 1. standing on the porch so he can open and close the door and put the keys in the lock ( i have to be outside so he doesn't topple down the cement steps) 2. sweating in the car reading magazines or the paper so he can push buttons and "drive" Man I love that kid!

E had her first sleepover with my cousins daughter...is that her second cousin or second cousin once removed? I got a super cute picture of them sleeping but can't post it now, I used to have sleepovers with her mom when I was little and our parents would take pictures of us sleeping...fun to see the next generation!

We have been spending a lot of time at this park. It is so much fun for everyone and I love that I can kick off my shoes and play and not worry that someone might have peed in that very spot that I just walked on. Same with my parents neighborhood, I always walked around barefoot in the summer and its nice that Elyse can have the experience...if only for a few weeks.

Being here in the burbs has made me miss the simple life. I love NYC but I can't wait to have a yard and...SPACE!!