Hey, Peter. What's happening?

Still enjoying your summer? I have been trying to make the most of it despite my summer blues I've been experiencing. When you have kids you can't wallow in your lethargy! So here are some things that have been happening around here lately.

Ramona- I read through Beezus and Ramona with the girls each night before bed... okay, not each night. More like when I felt up to it or remembered. It took awhile to remember to do it each night but once we got into a routine I was able to read nightly. It's been really nice. We've been snuggling up together in my bed with the side light on so it's nice and cozy. The girls have been enjoying Ramona and it's been awesome for me because I am a huge Ramona Quimby fan! Last night we started on Ramona the Pest which is all about Ramona starting Kindergarten. Perfect for us right now because Marah will be starting Kindergarten at the local school in the fall! The girls have also gotten really excited about watching the new Ramona and Beezus movie which we are planning to see with their cousin, my niece, Zion when we head down to South Dakota for her birthday.

Speaking of school- I have finally made up my mind to send Marah to public school for Kindergarten. I waffled back and forth between public, private, and home school for her this year but ultimately decided on public school because it is full day, (the private school was half day)I need extra time to help Jenna get caught up this year, and because she really wants to go. It was really hard for me to decide and I struggled with worrying about if I was making the right decision but ultimately Eric and I have decided that this is the right choice and if things don't turn out well we can always take her out of school. It will likely be only this one year that she goes to public school and I will continue her home schooling next year for first grade. It is important to me that I have the extra time with Jenna this year. Hopefully I can get her up to grade level or close to it in math and writing. She is doing great at everything else!

Speech- Jenna is being retested at her speech therapy appointments to see if she has reached age level in certain areas as well as to set new goals because she is doing very well there! I have been so pleased to hear good reports from her SLP and also to notice the improvements myself. She really has been growing in her language development and this has just been so wonderful to see!

My favorite breakfast as of late.

Food- Food has been a real focus lately because I have started doing the Atkins program. I started on Saturday and have been doing great! I am really enjoying the new program which includes more vegetable options and there is even a recipe for what is known as a MIM (Muffin in a Minute) that I am loving! It's been a great substitute for bread. I even made one in hamburger bun form last night to eat with the yummy burgers Eric grilled for us! I've lost 6 lbs so far and I am feeling so good about being able to do this long term. The diet has really come a long way from when I remember my parents doing it years ago.

Cozy pink and grey blanket in it's baby stage.

Crafting- I have been trying to keep up with all the projects I have rolling around in my head lately but that's really just not possible! I did manage to make some new pillows for our couch which was nice and I do love them so much more than the ones that came with the couch. I'm working on a little embroidery project for my friend's baby (due in Sept) as well as one for my home and soon will be working on a little paid project for a friend. I do love embroidery! Oh, and yesterday I started a crochet afghan for our bedroom. Eric had asked me to make one because it reminded him of his Grandma and how she was always making blankets for everyone. I honestly wasn't looking forward to making one until I found the yarn I loved at the store and in the colors of our bedroom, too! Within 2 hours I had used both skeins of yarn and now I'm dying to go get more! I can't wait to see it finished and lying on our bed. It is super cozy yarn. It will be perfect for winter.

Otherwise we have been picnicking, visiting the local parks, going to the library, playing at home, resting, relaxing, enjoying our time together. It's been a nice summer.

Alex loves to color.

The kids love to have pillow fights!

These two love to snuggle.

Coloring princesses with my little princess.

Alex's home jungle gym. He likes to stand up there and dance.

Make each day count!