Despite our summer vacation officially starting a month ago, it hasn't really had that true summer vacation feeling until this past week. Maybe because we started out traveling to Portland to see my brother and then I came home to start summer school followed by a long weekend up north for the fourth of July? Maybe because I finally got us into a summer routine? Either way, this past week was everything I envisioned this summer to be like.
Sunday night, as I prepared for another week of summer school I felt depressed. I just didn't feel any kind of routine and I felt like my decision to work summer school was a huge mistake. I thought I was missing out on so much with the boys, even though I was only gone in the morning for a few hours, four days a week. I'd come home and help out with lunch and naps and the whole day just felt like it was slipping by with nothing getting accomplished or without any fun plans. So, before I went to bed Sunday night, I devised a plan of something fun we'd do daily, whether it be at home or out and about.
Monday, after naps, we took a family trip the grocery store and stayed in to watch a movie since we were all catching up on some rest after a busy fourth of July weekend up north.
Tuesday, the boys go to daycare as their one day to hold their spot and keep them familiar with their teachers and friends. We picked them up with bags packed to head over to the rec center pool, equipped with a hot and ready pizza and fresh fruit. We ate at a little picnic table before swimming and playing in the tree fort. A quick shower, pajamas, and bubble guppies on the car ride home and they were tuckered out.
Wednesday was my favorite day! We met up with Sydney, AJ, and Nana downtown for Music in the Park and a picnic lunch!
The kids all danced, sat on a firetruck, ran around the fountain, and played on the picnic blanket until nap time.
After nap, the kids did some bubble painting, which was probably the messiest project we've ever done, but so much fun! Sean and Evan blew bubbles in a bowl through a straw and we placed the paper over top to pop the bubbles. All you need is dish soap, a little bit of water, and washable paint.
That night I went out to dinner my both of my sisters-in-law and my mother-in-law at Pizza e Vino in downtown Plymouth (yum!) before we went to see The Book of Mormon at the Opera House in Detroit. I loved it! It was hilarious and it felt great to get out and do something without kids for an evening.
Thursday was my last day of summer school for the week and I met up with Scott and the boys at Detroit Kid City. I've never seen the place that dead! We practically had the place to ourselves. Sean was busy delivering mail by matching numbers and Evan was enjoying sorting money in the bank. We took the boys to Bagger Daves in Berkley for some burgers and of course, the trains!
Friday, my mom came out to see the boys so we went to the Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor to play outside and have a picnic lunch.
We dropped the boys off at home to be with Scott while they napped so that my mom and I could go on to the Art in the Park in Plymouth. I can't remember the last time my mom and I had time to shop by ourselves and even grab a beer and some pretzels at Box Bar on the patio. It was perfect!
Saturday morning we were off to meet up with some friends at Art in the Park again. The boys were able to decorate a pet rock, get tattoos, paint a square on giant canvases, and color. They even met a princess!
Lunch at Ironwood and we were back home in time to nap before Adelaide's birthday party. The rain held off that was predicted late afternoon and the kids enjoyed bouncing in our bounce house and swimming. Happy 3rd birthday, Adelaide!
Today was a much needed day of rest. We re-organized the playroom, cleaned the basement, set-up Evan's toddler bed (can you believe it?!), and watched Planes. An afternoon trip to Costco (snack ladies!!) left me with an awesome rug for the playroom that has a map of the United States in bright colors and a new fleece coat for Sean for the fall/spring. My favorite part of today was finally persuading Sean to ride farther on his tricycle. He rode all the way from our house to his cousin's house that's a few blocks over! I was completely shocked he made it that far and made it home too! True to my word, we owe him a "big boy" bike. Looks like I'll be stopping at Target on my way home from work in the morning...
And now I'm off to munch on some Skinny Pop while planning out this week! I'm not regretting working now that I know that we can still do all the things we wanted to with the kids while making some extra money....
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