Well guys Z started the 1st grade two days ago and SJ starts tomorrow. We have officially survived summer break 2014. One more quick disclaimer before I wrap this thing up, I do love my children. I love having them near me. I enjoy all the nostalgia of the endless summer days. BUT it is a challenge to allow the children to appreciate all that summer has to offer when you live in a modest apartment with no indoor or outdoor play options. We’re happy, we’re thriving, all is well. No pity needed, I am just keeping it real. School being in session lifts an enormous weight off of my shoulders. I feel good about the 12 weeks that we did have at home though, and I can’t believe that this is the final 6 activities to add to the 66 already listed!

1. Dancing

Alright, I admit it this one was for the mama for sure, but it’s a family activity that we did together and I am so thrilled that I had the opportunity. It was 1940’s week at the Cincinnati Museum center, which is my FAVORITE time period.

I dressed the part and although I didn’t do any swing dancing I watched the experts and had a great time.

The kids never turn down a chance to go to the museum so they had fun too.

2. Rest

Maybe resting is an activity, but it needs to be on the list because sometimes that is what we need. Especially when all three kiddos get a virus. I hauled all three of them to the doctor and he said they would be okay within a couple days and they were. At least it happened before school.

3. Movie in the Park

I love these outdoor movies! This particular one was a showing of The Bee Movie at the Nature center where they served rice crispy type snacks made with honey combs. How cute! I’ll admit that it was cold and it sprinkled a little bit, but I gave the movie and the atmosphere two enthusiastic thumbs up!

4. Sports Complex

In anticipation of summer I got a groupon for the gym where the kids had swim lessons last year. They also have trampolines and a giant play land. We still have a membership there until September so we’ll be back during the school year too.

5. Ikea

Z and SJ LOVE Ikea. I think they love it more than a 30 year suburben mom on a budget. In other words they really really love it. Of course the ball pit and the movies are a big hit, but they even like the food court and kids decor. This was our first visit all summer. I used the opportunity to pick up some bowls and dish towels. Fun for all.

6. Community Story Time

I mentioned the reading clubs that Z participated in this year. Well, I finally managed to get him to Barnes and Noble where he turned in his reading list for a free Ninjago book. While we were there we saw that they were going to have a reading of Pete the Cat and the New Guy. Z loves Pete the Cat so we went back on Saturday for their story time.

That’s it. I plan to make a comprehensive list for myself so that next year when I am in the same boat (as far as I know we will still be here next year and I’ll share more about that later) I will remember all the fun that we had and be remind myself how The Messies do summer.

Every week I have blogged about what’s happening on the home front over the summer. We’ve done a lot and I have one final update that I will report about soon. However, there are a lot of things I haven’t done since school let out, and I thought it would be appropriate to share those things too.

Remember the new years resolutions I wrote about at the beginning of the year? Yeah, me neither, but I looked them up and doing Fly Lady was one of them. Well, the only kind of flying I’ve done lately was our summer trip to Vermont. There has been no schedule, no cleaning, and no organizing other than the  little bit of maintenance it takes to keep our home from looking like the victim of a tornado.

Oh and remember when I talked about going Gluten free or at least eating somewhat healthy? Well, most Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream is Gluten free so that much I have stayed true to. Yeah, pretty much all bets are off this summer. Our diet would absolutely mortify Jarod, Jenny and Jillian. By which I mean the subway guy, Jenny Craig diet lady, and girl from the biggest loser.

Then there is this really cool program called Code.org where children can learn computer science. Z does  used to do the lessons all the time. The point is, it’s another one of those really wonderful ideas that just hasn’t been realistic to implement recently.

There was a time when I did cloth diapers and reusable shopping bags. There was also a time I was going to finish redoing this website! The list could go on, but do I feel bad? No. This summer I’ve handled what I can handle. This whole section of life for that matter. J has been in school full time and some overtime. I’ve been in single-mom mode and even if that wasn’t my excuse I don’t feel guilty for not being super mom/wife/woman. And of course you shouldn’t either (just in case anyone reads this and has those feelings, not that any woman ever would). I mean, it would be super if I could keep my children from coloring every inch of their bodies with a marker

or if I didn’t send the school lunches packed up in breast milk storage bags

or if I didn’t discover an old avocado in the kids room hiding among the children’s stuffed animals.

That would be super, but I’ll take what I can get. I probably shouldn’t use the word SUPER, because I am superb in many areas, perfection is more of what I am referring too. Regardless of all that I haven’t done, I feel like we’ve had a successful summer. For us today is the very last day before school starts back up. It’s a super fun Monday for us, I hope it will be for you too!

I can’t believe it. It’s almost here. The end of summer break. It wasn’t so bad that I can’t stand to look at it for another second, it’s just the feeling of accomplishment that makes me giddy. I knew it would be tough, and it was. Some days were better than others, but what I am really here to write about last week. The first week in August. 

 I got some cute tops the one in this pic still has the tag on it.

I couldn’t possibly squeeze all of the beautiful scenery, joyful laughter, and peaceful refuge that we found the week we spent in Michigan, but for now I will sum it all up in the tradition of my weekly summer updates starting with

1. Lake

We spent most of our time on Lake Huron which we jokingly referred to as the ocean because other than the lack of salty flavor it definitely felt like we were seaside on the beaches of East Tawas. I felt just as exhilarated as the kids did with each crashing wave that stole a layer of sand out from under my feet.

We went to a couple different beaches, but I was satisfied with the first one we pulled up to upon arrival. It’s pretty cool when your best friends own a house and a coffee shop right next to such breath taking views.

2. Boat

Our friends also own two kayaks and we were so determined to get out on the river with them that after practicing paddling in the driveway we decided we could fit the children in the boats with us and we went for it. 

I only have iPhone photos since I wouldn’t dare bring my camera out there, but man it was gorgeous. Just an absolutely amazing evening. 

I love seeing wildlife even if it’s as simple as a worm or a squirrel. On this little exertion we spotted a deer, bats, duck families, and a rabbit.

3. Kite

Taking our power kite to the beach was like bringing it to it’s home land. It fit in so well there among the other kiters. 

It was like a baby though compared to the kites that are used for kite boarding. 

I have heard of this sport from my friends and considered it on my vacation bucket list to get to watch it. I heard that these guys were beginners, but I was impressed nonetheless.

4. Fair

One of my favorite evenings spent in Michigan was surprisingly the night we went to the county fair. 

I got the hugest kick out of watching Ezie and SJ take in all the sights, tastes, and rides. 

Although they did crash pretty hard when the party was over it was fun while it lasted and don’t let me pretend that I didn’t have some nostalgic fun. You see that ride in the middle? 

 I was worried it would be a little too wimpy for me. How much of a thrill could you get going round and round? I even vocalized my suspensions when I didn’t even see real seat belts in the carts. Hoooooowever, when the ride started going and picking up speed and my body was smashing all of it’s weight and then some into my Michigan friend I knew I was in for a thrill. I screamed at the top of my lungs and laughed hysterically for no reason. A little drool slips out of the side of my mouth as my cheeks flapped toward my ears with force. I worried that the drool that slid off of my face had surely landed on my best friend who was crying beside me. Oh well, we were stuck now. Eventually the weight of the speed forced my head to collapse onto her shoulder. Well, if we weren’t close before we certainly were now! I will not forget that ride anytime soon. It will be a couple years before I am due for another adrenaline rush like that.

5. Sand

I know sand goes hand and hand with lake, but it deserves it’s own category since we have spent so much time playing in the sand this summer, especially in Michigan. 

My only complaint is the frequent cigarette butts. Bleh. Major pet peeve. Come on people! Nature is not an ashtray!

6. State parks


We went to multiple state parks that each had their own unique feel. One night we grilled under the light of the lighthouse. 

At another park we saw the history of the lumberjack 

Then there was sunset after beautiful sunset.

and every place we went was a new discovery that just made us want more Michigan, more outdoors, more America.

I can’t believe we were blessed with a vacation like this right when I least expected it. I feel so refreshed and am eagerly looking forward to this next season now that summer is nearly over (Hello August!). This vacation destination is definitely one I will look forward to revisiting though and in the mean time I’ll be a walking brochure for anyone interested in what Pure Michigan is all about.

I can’t believe my baby boy is going to be 22 months old! It’s just about every morning J and I wake up and see this pile of blanket and boy sprawled across the bed and it appears that his limbs have become longer over night and his sturdy little body is covering more ground with each passing day. We marvel out loud about how big he’s gotten. J said yesterday that he does not remember the other two being that large at that age and I said “Yes they were. He is about to be two years old! It just feels like he should still be our little baby so it seems impossible.” I think it’s also that fact that I would usually be pregnant right now. When Z was this age I was expecting SJ and with SJ I would have just found out that I was pregnant with Ezie. The fact that we are delaying the next pregnancy because of our current life status (underemployed, living an apartment, going to school full time) is something that’s hasn’t gone unnoticed in my mind. I am not upset about it, but it’s a new family dynamic for us and it’s going to be a while before our little fellow has to give up the complimentary title of baby.

I am not sure about his height and weight, but he has a doctor’s appointment next week so I’ll find out then. I can always tell how much he has grown though by how well he can reach the door knob.

As far as what he has been up to lately, his favorite song to sing to is “Apples and Bananas”. His favorite show is where he learned that song and it’s called Baby Genius. And let me sarcastically tell you it is a real Emmy winner. He loves sweets just like his mama, but besides that his favorite food is probably eggs. He loves to buckle clasps that can be found on highchairs, shopping carts, and car seats. He can’t undo them, but boy does he love the satisfaction of snapping them into place!

Here I am trying to copy his expression. All of my kids made the funniest faces at this age.

The most frustrating thing about him at this stage is his aggressive tendencies. He has always been a biter. Now add to that hitting, throwing, and spitting and you’ve got yourself a real bruiser I’ve googled my options on correcting this behavior. I’ll let you know how that goes. Sigh. The cutest thing about this stage is his sweet little voice. I just love hearing him talk. He is really into possessives right now. Mommy’s keys. Me’me’s phone. SJ’s shoes. Daddy’s car.  He knows what things are and who they belong to and he will tell you all about it.

One other milestone I need to report for this stage is his first haircut. I know for some it wouldn’t even count because I just trimmed his bangs, but when I clipped a piece that messy mop on top of his head it become baby book official in my opinion. It’s funny because Z had his first hair cut on his 2nd birthday and SJ was right around her 4th birthday. I wanted to wait until Ezie was two, but his hair was constantly covering his eyes. I thought to myself You can be stubborn and wait until he is a nice even two to get his bangs out of his line of sight or you can cut his bangs and give him the gift of vision right now. and that is how the 21 month haircut was born.

He does get mistaken for a little girl now and then. Especially since some people think Ezra can be a girl name, but I don’t worry about it. He is a cutie pie for sure and I treasure these final months of him being a one year old.