Toast 2 Mom

Time to Cool Off

With the temperatures raging over 100 degrees day after day after day - and no end in sight - we took a break today and joined some friends out on the lake. Our friends have a boat and invited us for a day of cooling off on the lake.

It was enjoyable to be out there - and sad to see how far the lake has gone down during this endless no rain forecast. We had a take a boat to their boat as most of the marina that once had water has lost its water.

We did some lunching, some beach time, some tubing, some floating. It was a great Sunday - and a nice break from kitchen tasks and trips to Lowe's. 

Here are a few pictures.

 
 
 

A New Do

Three and a half years old, and my baby got her first official haircut. I had to convince her that cutting it would make her hair grow faster into Rapunzel. She seemed to buy it, and she seemed to enjoy the pampering process.

 
 
 
 

Cheekers aka Madonna

I really think Cheekers will go into the fashion industry in one way or another. She just has a skill of putting her clothes together and accessorizing herself ....well, way better than her Mommy knows how to. :)

Today, Cheeks went the a la Madonna route. Everything she's wearing, she selectively choose - sparkles, necklace, headband, sunglasses, rhinestone tennis shoes, etc....  How Vogue. :)

 

What Can I Say?

Well, what can I say? Was it over 100 degrees here again today - yep. Are we still without a kitchen and tired of eating sandwiches and Clif bars - yep. Is there still a lot of dust flying around - yep. Am I bitter - nope. I'm really not. But the day to day is a lot of the same.

Eight more days until school starts, and I seem to grow more sentimental by the hour of this inevitable.

The girls and I went to the gym this morning. We dined on Subway sandwiches for lunch. We picked up some more stone for our new floors. We then signed up Sydney for a dance class which will begin mid-September. I did some household maintenance, while the girls played when we got home. Then we endured about 15 minutes of outdoor play time before racing in to the air conditioner. I made a Boca chicken patty for Natalie for dinner and a hot dog for Sydney for dinner in the toaster over. They also got yogurt. Daddio got home, we shared our day with him. Now I'm trying to be a good girl and write a bit. Later this evening I will be grouting tile.

We are at the point of summer, though, where we need to establish a bedtime routine. Last night the girls went to bed at 10:00 and woke up this morning about 8:00. That is not going to work when Sydney needs to be at school by 7:30. So tonight we begin our school bedtime routine. Boo hoo.

And that, folks, has been our day. A couple photos....

 
 

A Morning of Art

The girls had an art lesson this morning. Today - painting.

 
 
 

Not My Kids?

My girls are taking a much needed nap. We've been spending some time going over the rules lately. The Hubby was telling me the other night how he read that there are restaurants that now ban children. A basic quote from the article stated that parents have a tendency to let their children behave wildly out in public and then say (and believe), "oh aren't they cute?!"

But to the other patrons, and even fellow parents, seeing someones child/ren act rambunctious at a restaurant (or Lowe's or the grocery store or wherever) isn't cute. It's annoying. So, anyway the Hubby and I got to wondering, oh dear, do we have those kids?

And when you put the fine microscope to your children, perfect children -  they are not. No children are. But that's the fine line. There are always moments of perfection. And then there are those moments of excuses, "well, Susie's tired. Sally just needs some food" yada! No parent wants to be kicked out of a restaurant or store - but sometimes, they should be.

So the Hubby and I have been trying to pay much, much better attention to this. We're not trying to create little soldiers. But we can control a lot. And let me tell ya, it's been a summer of privileges for these children - camps and play dates and dining out and sleepovers and new stuff and more new stuff. And anyway, school is coming up - so Mommy has found herself spending a bit more time losing the summer mentality and getting into the school/routine/behavior/rules mentality.

Because I like dining out. :)

Can I Be Ariel?

I wish I knew exactly how many times in her lifetime Sydney has asked me if she could "be Ariel" for our daily (hourly) land of pretend. After years of practice, today she finally took the stage for the role of her dreams!

I cannot talk this up enough. I am a babbling proud parent after my daughter's crazy, amazing performance today from her Little Mermaid camp. When we showed up late after being really lost and misguided Monday morning for this camp, I asked Sydney if she really wanted to do this thing. She insisted. I am so glad she did.

After only four days of rehearsal, and basically three hours a day, today seven children - age 5-9 put on a one-half hour performance of the Little Mermaid. There was a curtain, costumes, a pianist performing the tunes, props, songs, choreography and lots and lots of lines for these kids to learn and recite. It was amazing!!

And I should have known that my little obsessed Ariel fan would not just learn her lines but be there to guide and recite the lines and stage direction of her fellow actors. (I think I've mentioned before how if this girl doesn't act, she will direct!)

Naturally it's my child, and I'm proud - but I tell you what, when that girl took it away with the solo Part of Your World, on stage, all by herself, at the age of five, in front of two dozen strangers, I was weeping. It was so pretty. I am so proud of you Sydney!

I guess it does pay to believe!