summer plans

I think I was a little over-eager when making plans for the boys this summer. After the money has been spent, I realize they would have been fine just hanging out at home and in our pool -- but I think they'll have a good time all the same.

They're attending 3 week-long camps this summer. The first is next week and is put on by 2 local museums. I think the topic is animals. I can't find the information for it at the moment - but I know it starts next week.

They have a week off, then a week at Zoo Camp. You would *think* the topic would be animals, but it's actually about the earth and conservation.

The following week is our church's vacation bible school. I'm glad that they're going with a Catholic program again this year. (Not that there's anything wrong with protestant VBS programs - it's just that we're Catholic.)

The camps are all half-day programs, which is perfect for this age range, I think. DH will drop them off most mornings and L & I will pick them up. I need to start thinking about lunches because I know they'll be starving when they get out.

The rest of July is free, then in August we're headed off to WI for my parent's 40th wedding anniversary party and family reunion. In mid-August the boys will start at the homeschool enrichment program, and we'll start homeschooling again.

As for me, I'd like to think that I could get to the projects I never got to while pregnant -- but that might be asking too much. Perhaps I could hope for completing 1 or 2 of them, while planning for our school year. I hope to be more out and about next year than we were this year. I need to start thinking about goals for the coming year - not just academic ones for the boys, but goals for our family as well.

baby update

Well, we'll see how much I can type before L decides she needs to eat again ;)

She's 4 1/2 weeks old today and things are going pretty well. So far, she's a laid-back, content baby for the most part. The first week or so I don't think she even cried -- which of course worried me, especially since my boys were both big noise-makers (still are!) She does cry, of course, but she doesn't cry much. She eats often, but she also has a couple long periods of sleep each day - including one at night - so I can't complain.

The boys are totally in love with her. It took N a little while to warm up, but he has and both boys are eager to see, talk, kiss and make faces at her.

I've been enormously blessed by families in our homeschool group bringing meals to us. I don't even know 90% of the moms who have brought meals to us, which I find amazing. And we're still receiving meals this week and next!

My mom and SIL came out last week and that was wonderful, too. I was able to rest lots, and my mom prepared 3 meals a day for us AND cleaned up.

Getting out is a challenge, but not that bad. I'm grateful for grocery delivery and Amazon to take care of most of my shopping needs.

Well, that's all for now as she's starting to grunt and root . . . and I'm going to have to make her wait a little bit longer so I can put out dinner for the boys (a wonderful woman brought meat loaf, mashed potatoes, cherries, and rice krispie treats for us tonight!)

Lydia Jane

Yep, that's my little girl ;)

All went well on April 29 and she was born at 10:32AM. I was out of the hospital in just under 48 hours, which was surprising to some because of the c-section -- but I wanted to be home.

Recovery is going well, and she's fitting right into our family. I was blessed with friends and acquaintances bringing meals so food hasn't been an issue. DH has been able to spend plenty of time at home and given me opportunities to nap. My worries and concerns really haven't come to fruition at all -- it's been much easier than I imagined.

I'm taking it easy and enjoying my family.