summer "vocation"

So far, we've only really had two days of summer "vocation", as Eva calls it, but they've been busy days:

• I made up our summer chore chart, complete with check boxes, and I haven't even been met with too much resistance -- yet.

• I pruned back our viburnum bushes (otherwise known as snowball bushes) -- which are as tall as trees -- and which we nearly lost completely last year due to our non-functioning sprinkler system. (I had watered the lawn and thought they were getting enough water. My dad then pointed out that they were almost dead.) I couldn't cut out all of the dead branches, but as you can see I cut out a lot!

• I scheduled a sprinkler repair for tomorrow morning. Finally, my days as a hose-dragger can end! (I hope.)

• I found a tile installer who came highly recommended and can come and get the job done next week! And he's even picking up the tile, that's a bonus because I got to cross that item off my to-do list. Goodbye, ugly linoleum! Goodbye, trashy subfloor entryway!

• I picked up my book club book last night for book club tomorrow night. Oops.

• Max taught Lucas how to play solitaire, so he could then teach him how to play double solitaire (otherwise known as Nuts, Nertz, and probably many other names). Lucas was reluctant about it at first, but now he's seeing the light as he's discovering how much fun it is, as well as how valuable it is to have another non screen-watching activity under his belt. Max and I have also had many rousing rounds ourselves during Eva's naps.

• I had a great visit today with a new doctor. I'm so glad Jill gave me the push I needed to just make an appointment. He talked with me for at least half an hour, I felt like he really listened to me, he was very knowledgeable and took my concerns seriously, and he answered all of my questions. We have a treatment plan and lab work and we'll be talking again later this week.

• I went to Target for a few necessities and ended up trying on some bathing suits. While this has never been a pleasant task, today's session was a truly horrifying low. I don't know if I'm going to be able to keep my vow of quashing my body image issues in the interest of my kids having a good childhood...

• Something good came from the Target stop, however: a giant bubble wand in the dollar spot. Bubbles have been a favorite in our family since Max was 2, and Eva was thrilled to join the ranks of bubble enthusiasts.

• Here she is making bubbles with one hand and holding her purse with the other. (You know, in case she works up an appetite and needs to eat some of her "trail makes".)

• Max -- my child who always woke up at 6:00 a.m. until he started junior high -- got up today very reluctantly at 8:30 (Eva had come into the boys' room singing this morning to wake them) and then went back to bed at 9:00. This has never happened, even when he's been sick. Never. When I returned home from the doctor and the swimsuit nightmare at 1:00, he had only just arisen. I immediately felt his forehead to see if he was ill. Jill recommended I record his height and weight because maybe he's headed for a big growth spurt or something. Apparently I don't even know who he is anymore.

• Lucas has already played with two different friends. Today Rachel's son Preston came over and they made water balloons and then launched them with the water balloon slingshot I found a couple of months ago. I think we've found a new favorite summertime activity!

• I have almost completed my summer piano teaching schedule. I'm hoping to have all of my lessons on Thursdays, which will make Thursdays a difficult day, but will free up the rest of the week.

• I vacuumed out my van.

But the best thing about summer vocation: it hasn't been unbearably hot yet!