A Good Start to Summer!

Family Boys Night Out at Miller Park!, a photo by Justin and Kelly Webb on Flickr.

Our summer has officially started and I am soooo excited! In just a few days we have already done the following:
- Justin headed to Miller Park to enjoy a Cubs/Brewers night game with my dad, Dave & Casey. The boys ALL had a blast.
- We had an unbelievable garage sale with my mom & sister (at my sister's house...great location). I got rid of all of my baby things!!! The kids had so much fun spending 2 days at Amy's house....hanging out with their cool cousins, and making a few bucks selling lemonade and goodies that my sister made. :)
- Sam spent almost an entire day with my dad, working in the yard/garden and just playing around. He was absolutely thrilled and he LIT UP as he told stories to us that night about how he played lots of tricks on grandpa and got him wet a few times.
- Bonfires! We had 2 families over on Friday night after Sam's soccer - the Seiders and Fitzgeralds came to enjoy dinner and bonfire. The kids had a blast playing in the yard, eating in the playhouse and then roasting marshmallows and telling ghost stories. Super fun night. And then on Saturday night, Amy & Dave and my mom & dad came over for s'mores & a few cocktails. Another great night around the fire pit!

Things I have already learned about what this summer will be like:
- Lots of backyard baseball...before and after dinner. Izzy is SO into it.
- I will go through a TON of groceries for a few reasons 1) Caleb is home more and he eats SO MUCH 2) all the running around/swimming/etc makes the other two more hungry as well. 3) we will have more people around....friends & family.
- baths/showers every night...for ALL of us.
- I am going to have great helpers. Just talking about (not creating) a new responsibility chart & allowance has already turned them into busy little bees. Caleb "babysat" Izzy today while Sam helped me weed the garden. He did SUCH a great job with her. Then all 3 of them helped me clean the garage...without any complaints. Amazing.
- We are going to eat alot of s'mores.
- It's delightful to be home with my 3 kids...it's no longer overwhelming and it can be a lot of fun. But having said that, I am wiped out and am desperate need of ANOTHER shower. Aaaah, welcome summer!!