Relishing all things summer-like

With the reality that fall is approaching, we are trying to enjoy every last minute of summer that we can get our fingers on.

So, when the kids were super hyper the other night after 4 straight days of Mike working 16 hours PER day and I was having a not-so-positive Mommy moment, I said, "Put your shoes on, we're going to the ocean!"

I will have you know...I clocked it and from our driveway to our favorite parking space at the ocean it is 7.2 miles!!! I came home much more positive and ready to be a mommy! Amazing what the ocean air and sound of waves can do for your spirit!

And when the kids found a baby frog in front of our house when I was in a hurry to get somewhere, we simply stopped so they could look and talk to her. Paige has named her Lila.

And when Daddy FINALLY had a night off on Sunday, we went to get ice cream. Paige loves that she can have her own cone and chose the "Purple Dinosaur" ice cream, complete with two silly eyes!

Fortunately, Nate is still content to share with Daddy!

And, finally, when Paige says, "Daddy, let's make a fort!" Daddy stops everything he is doing and builds the best fort ever! Not so much because it is a summer-thing, but more because she starts school tomorrow! Our baby goes to preschool!! We are having these strange feelings of knowing she is mature enough and truly needs some structured social interaction, while wanting to hold on to her and wrap her in a receiving blanket like we did when she was born. Building forts is a true kid-like thing, one that makes great memories and feelings of comfort, so we did it! And she spent almost all afternoon in her fort...with her Daddy, and EVERY other animal, gadget, trinket, book and thing she could find in her room! Classic Paige and SO much fun to watch and listen to!!