Soaking up summer

For several days the kids were preoccupied with keeping the playhouse clean. They would scrub it with sponges and spray it off repeatedly. Kept them busy for a long time!

Millie and Max wanted to ride their bikes to the pool by themselves. I followed behind in the car and they did great!

Harvey decided he wanted to swim with no floaties. The dude has no fear! The skill part we’re still working on, but he loves it.

When you get the pool all to yourselves.

Spent a hot morning going around the lake by the dog park and then playing afterwards.

It was fun to have Aunt Sarah home for the last few weeks of summer!

We had to share one of our favorite books with Grandpa, the kids thought he’d get a kick out of it. “King Hugo’s Huge Ego” was a hit!

I forgot National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day but a sweet friend remembered and made sure I got to celebrate haha. I celebrate that all year long!

This was a swim suit Grammy got for Millie and it was so fun to put Hazel in it too.

The kids loved helping me mash bananas and shred carrots for muffins.

Park/pool hopping. They still call this one the snake park and pool because when Millie was little she thought the lane lines at the bottom of the pool looked like snakes!

A quick visit from Grandpa and Sarah. Hazel always has good smiles for Grandpa!

First time letting Harvey participate in a tea party instead of having it during his nap. They taught him to clink cups and it was so cute.

Jumping on the trampoline in the rain.

Max does a great job sweeping the floor.

Little things

It’s funny to see your kids do things you did as a kid but never taught them.  Like twisting as far as the chain will let you and then letting it spin you back the other way fast.

I just love the when they’re small enough to fit in one arm and cozy enough to sleep there. So sweet.

Millie drew these pictures of what the 4th of July fireworks looked like. Pretty good I thought!

First real workout post-Hazel. I miss the gym but am super thankful for workouts on YouTube and the adjustable dumbbells I got a couple years ago.

We all love the library because I can say yes to (almost) everything! The kids walk out with big stacks of books and big smiles.

How we managed shopping trips over the summer. Well, when we had to go into stores - I mostly do grocery pickup now.

We’re (all) so glad when Daddy comes home!

A picture of some elaborate plan Millie and Max wanted to carry out. My favorite part is where she declares at the bottom: “I am a genius!”

Moved my workout outside and had some cute moral support.

Hazel

Hazel could basically fill up her own camera roll. This girl is changing fast and I’m trying my best to soak it up and document what I can because I don’t want to forget!

Just look at that sweet little profile.

Everyone wants to be near when Hazel is doing tummy time.

2 months old! Look at that smile!

Harvey was half asleep in bed with me and Hazel and kept grabbing Hazel’s hand and rubbing her arm. Such a sweet brother.

She is super social and smiles at everyone!

She was a serious snuggler as a newborn.

Gigi and Poppy gave us a Dockatot and it was great!

2 month checkup. She’s healthy, happy, and terrific! 

Summer happenings

Max decided he wanted to learn to make toast for himself. It was pretty cute to watch him stand on the stool and figure it out.

Harvey wanted to be just like dad!

That smile just gets me every time! 

When you get both kids napping at the same time. Pretty great feeling.

We ventured out for lots of walks/bike rides/scooter rides. I always take the double stroller because there’s inevitably at least one child who falls or gets tired and wants to ride for a bit.

We had a visit from Delilah, Oliver, and Griffin! There was no getting all of the kids to look at me and smile so this pic will have to do as a reminder of their visit.

Millie and Delilah made Millie’s room into a club and everyone in the room was required to have an ID card. It was pretty funny.

The kids filled up their puff jar, so we got donuts one morning! 

One of the things the kids wanted to do this summer was to have a trampoline party. We had to decide what that meant - cookies and a talent show on the trampoline. It was Hazel’s first time on the trampoline and the kids were so happy!

Everyone brought their own blankets to do their tricks on, not sure why, but it was fun!

It was just a really nice evening.

Millie loves holding her sister. She went through a phase of singing “Baby Mine” from Dumbo every time Hazel cried, which was super sweet and made me tear up every time!

The kids took advantage of the relaxed summer mornings and made huge messes. I think this was a restaurant they made.

Millie’s outfits still crack me up sometimes! If you look closely you can see a pencil behind her ear in the helmet. Hilarious.

The dog at Old Navy is always a highlight. Also, I love that they love to match! 

More epic messes, this time with puzzles. 

I didn’t dare take all 4 kids to the pool by myself for a couple of months, but eventually we made it happen. We usually went in the late afternoon when I needed to wear Harvey out after a nap and when the sun was at an angle where I could keep Hazel covered easily.

Making pizza. I thought I’d be the kind of mom who would love baking/cooking with my kids, but it stresses me out more than anything. So saying yes when I wanted to say no to them making their own felt like a win.

Lots of seating available in our house but they choose to sit RIGHT by me. It can feel a little claustrophobic sometimes but I’m grateful they still want to!