I realize I skipped June's 10 on the 10th post, but we were sick for the first 2 weeks of June, so I am excused! We are so happy to be healthy again, so this post will be about Summertime!
1. It is hot, hot, hot outside! I really can't complain though, because it didn't get hot until June this year. We had 2 days in May that hit 100 degrees, but that's it! And that is unheard of. So I have resigned myself to not complaining about the heat until September this year, when I won't be able to take it much more.
2. Swimming! Mr. Luke is quite the little fish this summer. He is getting better and better and braver and braver in the water. He loves to go under the water, hold his breath and try to swim to us. He just needs to strengthen and speed up his kicking so he actually propels himself when he is under water. Ella loves the water too, but is really only happy in mama's arms. Must be a security thing.
3. Babies! This is the summer of babies it seems. Toni had Oliver on June 20th and Ali will have baby Blake any minute now. Actually, she is scheduled to be induced tonight, so unless he comes today, he will come tomorrow! I am so excited for her. It's been a long time coming. Amber is having Elliana sometime in August and then Vanessa is due to have Felicity at the beginning of October! It is so fun to be around and snuggle all these precious miracles! Is it giving me baby fever? Well, I must admit that my heart says yes but my body is still saying NOOOOO! Maybe next year at this time??? We'll see!
4. My grandma is turning 80 this month! We are having a big party for her at my parents' house. She is an awesome lady and has so much energy. Literally, she runs around with my kids. And picks up Luke like it's nothing. She does all her own yard work and mows the lawn, even though I think she should take it easy. She works out at the gym three times a week. She cooks amazing meals and the BEST chocolate chip cookies you will ever eat in your life. I love her so much!
Side note: She and my grandpa will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary this November. 60 years!!! Wow.
5. Vacation. Oh, how I wish we could go somewhere to escape the heat. Right now we're following Dave Ramsey's plan to "live like no one else so you can live like no one else." So that means no trips to San Diego or Disneyland or even a weekend away in Flagstaff. But that's ok. I get to stay home with my little kiddos every day, and that is worth way more to me than taking a vacation. I am planning on going down to Sierra Vista for Molly's 30th at the end of the month, which is vacation for me and a little bit cooler, so I guess I do get to go on a vacation after all!
6. Recipe search. We have made a goal to not eat out at all during the month of July. We are really trying to get our finances in order and stick to our budget, and eating out is always the area where we go over. So, for discipline's sake, and money's sake, we are eating in. This means lots of cooking. And cooking + extreme heat outside = extreme heat inside our little apartment. So I'm looking for nice cool summer recipes to serve the family. If you have any, feel free to e-mail me at
sarahmann80@gmail.com. My friend Toni is compiling recipes from a bunch of moms and putting them together for us. I'd love to add some heat-free ones!
7. Indoor adventures! We are trying to get out and about as much as we can so no 'cabin fever' takes us over. We have gone to the Science Center and the Children's Museum lately. We've also started going to storytime at the Tempe Library again. Luke has a little crush on the storytime teacher, Ms. Jessie. Stinkin' cute!
8. The spray bottle. Anyone who lives in Phoenix in the summer knows just how brutally hot the car can be. I feel so bad taking my little fair-skinned Luke out in the middle of the day, as his face can turn from ivory to tomato-red in a matter of minutes. And poor Ella. While her skin is more olive-toned, her carseat is still rear-facing so she gets very little air conditioning. So my solution to these problems has been the spray bottle. I fill it up before we leave and the kids take turns "playing" with it in the back seat. It's like having a built in mister-system in the car!
9. World Cup! Sheesh, how could I leave this one for #9? We've (Kevin, mostly) had a blast watching and keeping up with the games from the world cup! The U.S. gave a great effort and we are proud of our guys. The emotions, highs and lows, fake injuries, vevuzulas, penalty kicks, overtimes, celebrations, crazy fans. There's really nothing like it.
10. Just a random string of updates...Luke is pretty much potty trained!! He still "works" for stickers and prizes, but has no fear or hangups about going. It's pretty much the greatest accomplishment of his life, and mine. Ella is goofy, happy, and talking up a storm. The kids are sharing a room now, which has worked out great for the most part but has meant very early mornings all summer long. Hoping that changes. Kevin is still playing baseball, icing his arm, and getting really sore. In that order. But he loves it, and Luke has his dream fulfilled that Daddy is a baseball player. I wish I could just take Luke to one of his games and leave Ella at home, since taking her in public at this age is a chore. And me, well, I am really enjoying my kids. They are my joy, and I love serving my family.
Here's a cute picture from last night. Poor Ella has a terrible diaper rash right now, so we were letting her run around naked after bath. But, being only 22 lbs, she gets cold really fast so we broke out her robe.
And I had to throw in this one of Luke. So meticulous with his cars. This kid is so much like his daddy!
Happy July Everyone!
in the car:
