Summer lovin'

I knew a four month summer sounded long. And as much as I love my kiddos, they are of course, by nature, very high maintenance. So I was smart and filled up our days with stuff and activities and friends. But when the rest of May and then June flew by, and we were quickly approaching the start of our vacations, I was surprised how quickly time was passing. I figured it was smooth sailing from there on out and school would be here before I knew it.

But we've had a long, grumpy week. Preston is busy at work. The kids are starting to pick at each other, and whine, and tattle about the most ridiculous stuff nonstop, and not listen. And then I can't be productive; that wears on me. And so I get frustrated (and yell). And out of this not so fun week (where I wish I could be prouder of myself) I found perspective on what my lesson needed to be for Relief Society in a couple weeks -- Developing and Teaching Self Mastery. Something I need, something my kids need. So here's to hoping I can apply what I'm learning through my studies over this next little while so that our remaining summer weeks aren't so grumpy, but become happy again.
Speaking of self-mastery... like I said the kids have been very busy this summer...

Brynn finally turned seven and I've been waiting for this birthday because then she would finally be old enough for me to enroll her in the First Tee Golf class. Yep, she goes to golf every Tuesday evening for an hour and a half. And the beauty of it all?!... PJ takes her so he can get a little practice in himself - rough deal ;) She enjoys it and says she can't wait til she can go play with daddy. She's also informed us she needs us to buy her her own clubs... not sure I can afford two people loving this hobby. She'll have to wait.


And both Brynn and Tyler have gymnastics on Thursday evenings.
Tyler was 4 when he started earlier this summer. And after his first class they called and asked if I wanted to bump him up from the Kinderkids class (for 3-5 year olds) to a Boys Level 1 (for 6 and older). I thought that would be a good idea. And I don't regret the decision... but let's just say you can definitely tell he's younger. He struggles with his focus, attention, and not goofing off. But he is learning...

Brynn has been loving gymnastics and practices SO hard all the time at home to perfect her cartwheels and handstands. And she's getting quite good.

She was struggling with her handstands a bit ago and PJ decided to show her how it was done.
Now I've always been impressed with my hubbies athleticism. In my unbiased opinion he is great at whatever he does. Very talented. So to see him waiver and worry about trying to get his feet above his head and not succeeding was shocking... and slightly hilarious to watch.

Don't think he sent Brynn the message we wanted too - apparently handstand ARE scary :)

These are just some pictures from when the boys were helping daddy build Brynn's baby doll crib...

...I came out to check on them one time and found Tyler, drill and screws in hand, working on his own little project. Apparently PJ feels that Tyler now has enough experience in woodworking to let him handle the power tools all by himself.

Kate's been very busy too of course...

...the last pictures is to show her curls.

And the good thing about staying busy is that it wears them out...