Tuesday, June 03, 2008

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!

26 comments:

Neighbor Jane Payne said...

It's so fun to read your summer bullets, Michelle. I love the picture of Eva with the wand in one hand and the purse in another.

I agree, swim suit shopping is no fun and very depressing. I began ordering from Land's End's catalogue 2 or 3 swimsuits ago and it has been a much better experience. I've liked their suits AND I've found ones that can cover up the unsightly.

Melanie and I were visiting the other day about how you said you didn't want your insecurities to "quash" your children's childhoods last year during swimming season. We both were impressed by that and have thought on it often. Good luck coming to terms with the swimmsuit
conundrum this year.

Kim Sue said...

yeah for summer vocation! things sound like they are off to a great start at your house! I need to research how you play double solitare. we love card games in our family. here's to more bubbles, waterballoons and yes, swimming!

Amy said...

Wow, Michelle, great couple of days! I'm glad things went well with your new doctor! That must be a relief. Hopefully your new treatment plan is helpful.

I'm having a hard time cursing the weather, because I know what's coming--the unbearable heat that is a Utah summer. (OK, so it's not Los Vegas or Phoenix, or anywhere humid, but it's unbearable to us residents!) While I don't like this chilly weather because my kids won't go outside for any length of time, I do prefer it to 100 degree days. So I grumble about it, but never out and out curse it.

Unknown said...

hmmm. i think maybe you have accomplished more in the first four days of summer vocation than i will in the first four weeks!! it sounds exhausing, but looks like everyone is having fun.

Amie said...

That is an impressive report for two days into summer... and now today you can enjoy the rain... I love summer rain and have also really been loving the not so hot days.

Chore chart.... I keep making them in my head... I need to get on that...

That is an unbelievable amount of dead branches.

Double solitaire sounds like something I would love.

Don't forget you get to sit by me at 7 Peaks... you get cuter by association! (the things we do for our kids....)

patsy said...

love this post
a great summer is surely on it's way!!
You are getting so much done- way to go- I am sitting here feeling shell shocked. I've got to snap out of it...

crystal said...

Hmmmm...I wonder what MY summer "vocation" should be??? I don't really have a vocation.

I MUST KNOW WHERE TO GET A WATER BALLOON LAUNCHER! Spill the beans.

Liz said...

It sounds like you have lots of fun things up your sleeve for the summer "vocation". I hope it continues to go well! We still have 2 weeks to go before school is out. But I've already been stockpiling fun things to do with the kids.

Jill said...

That's a whole lot of news for just 2 days of "vocation". I think the water balloon slingshot and the huge bubble wand are great additions to your stash of summer supplies.

Hooray for going to the doctor and having a great visit. It's so wonderful that you ended up feeling heard and will have some adjustments to your meds! Here's to feeling better!

Bathing suit shopping is truly horrifying for me. I swear it takes mental toughness to even survive it.

Tasha said...

I got my swimsuits in the mail and thoughts are I may actually not hate it so much,and I still did. Swimsuits are just awful no matter what. Buy a good one though. Target suits are made with 12 year old pre-pubescent girls in mind. I am with JAne though, I got mine from LAnds End, it was worth it.

Sounds like a great vocation so far!

I turned my heater back on today! ITs 51 degrees and it was 66 in the house! too cold!

Tasha said...

Oh yeah! The doc sounds like a great find! So glad you went!

Laurie said...

Sounds like it's off to a great start, and today there's rain. It suddenly doesn't feel like summer anymore.

I can relate to the not really knowing your son bit. It's happening here too - all sorts of changes.

rebecca said...

I cannot believe this was a 2-day recap. Man, I have work to do! Love the solitaire addicts, LOVE the "trail makes," bubbles, and here's to squishing your lessons on Thursdays - leaving you more free time!

Amy said...

I love Cry, the Beloved Country. There's something so calming, so lovely about the words and how they flow. I hope you get a chance to enjoy it at some point between all the "vocation fun". My book club is tonight and I haven't cracked the book open. At all.

Barb said...

I'm constantly torn in the summer as to whether or not to keep my vocation running during the holiday months. I think squeezing all of your teaching into one day is the smartest way to go.

Lucy said...

Ooohh...the bullets. A reader always gets a good panoramic with that tool.

I haven't been swim suit shopping in a few years and it's time to go. I am not looking forward to it.

It sounds like you have a firm grasp on summer already. I'm glad it hasn't been too hot yet. I was worried there for a few days, but with school out, I say bring on the heat.

I didn't know you taught piano. One day a week sounds like a good schedule.

Jana said...

I really want to see your chore chart. I have talked about doing it with the kids, but nothing has come of it, yet.

Love the bubble wand.

I missed you tonight. I hope that you're feeling better.

charlotte said...

Summer vocation sounds productive! And I'm definitely enjoying the not-unbearably-hot weather while it lasts.

Serendipity said...

Your summer banner is delightful!

Kristin said...

Viburnum Bushes...they have a "real" name?? I can't wait to impress my husband with that one!! ;)

It looks like your summer is off to a great start. I'm so with you on the swim suit purchasing...it is the WORST!!

From reading your blog... I beg to differ...you are a fun mom!!

Robyn said...

I know what Eva means... summer does feel like a vocation sometimes. Keeping everyone happy, running kids to their friends' houses, etc. Austin is doing swim team every morning and I am thinking, "What did I get into?!"

I would love one of my kids to sleep until 1 pm! He must be going through a serious growth spurt. Is he eating 6 meals a day?

Love the water balloons- that is summer right there!

Robyn said...

Sorry I had to come back and say I love that book- I remember reading it when I was in junior high and it was a favorite. It makes me want to go back and read it again. I hope you like it.

Anonymous said...

Whoa! Now that's an agressive schedule!! It makes me a little weary and a lot happy to read all the details!!!

Keep meinformed about the Max changes! Maybe he's following his father's love of sleep! (Not to mention his Mother's, Grandmothers, Grandfather's and aunts.....you get the picture!!

Keep up the delightful and entertaining posts!! Good news on the Dr. visit!

I too, admire the swimsuit committment.....I can't go there!

Anonymous said...

I love bullet form posts. Sometimes I want to live your life for like a day or two. I just like it a lot.

Swimsuit shopping...it ranks up there with bra and jean shopping for me. Ugh.

Love that bubble wand. And your new header.

everything pink! said...

this is a great way to sum up summer activities.

those bushes are quite a task i must say.

and i love Eva holding that little pink purse in her hand while busy with the other.

NNA said...

Hi , I found your blog by searching for “Nertz” online. It is cool to see others that know the game. I hope you don’t mind but I just wanted to let you know about playnertz.com. It has got a bunch of Nertz information there as well as videos and online Nertz games. Feel free to check it out. Also you, your friends/family are welcome to join fellow Nertz players in The National Nertz Association while you are there.

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