Summer!!

Oh my goodness--where to start? Since summer started, it's hard to keep track of the days. Sometimes yesterday feels like three or four days ago. I have had a blast being home with the kids. Sage runs me ragged most days and Drew keeps me on my toes. Two weeks ago I had both of them napping at the same time every afternoon--it was amazing! I got things done around the house and took naps as necessary. However, since we have been having so much fun together, Sage has decided that she no longer needs to take a nap and throws major tantrums, reminding me that she is only two-and-a-half! We now have "quiet time" in the afternoon. More often than not, it turns into playtime in her room, which is fine... as long as she doesn't wake up Drew!

Pinterest has become my best friend and I've become pretty efficient at making a daily craft out of kitchen ingredients or dollar store items. Sage now has a few sensory tubs that she loves! She "makes pizzas" in her rice tub for close to an hour. She also loves to dig for creatures in her sand tub and build structures in her moon dough. We've painted the driveway and bathtub. We've watched soap explode in the microwave and turned it into bathtub crayons.  She simply cannot get enough cutting, pasting, and coloring. She now has a special project desk in our family room with a file container full of supplies (I am a teacher, you know...). We are working on putting things back where they belong!

I try to work literacy and math into our daily activities, (mostly for my sanity and curiosity) but most of the time she could care less. :) However, I have tricked her into patterning, sorting, classifying, and counting when she gets to use beads or pom-poms! Pipe cleaners have also found multiple uses around our house these days. Thanks to a suggestion by a friend, Sage keeps track of a daily schedule, so nap time and trips to the store become more predictable... we'll see if it lasts!

Drew-man has LOVED spending so much time outdoors--swinging in our backyard, taking trips to the park, and feeding the ducks at Jordan Creek.  He gets hauled around in my Moby carrier most days while we run errands or frequent the zoo.  He seems to be indifferent about the splash park.

All-in-all, it's been a wonderful start to the summer and I feel so blessed to have a profession that allows me this time with my kids!