This was Curtis’s first time experiencing organized sports. He was so happy the entire time, running after balls. He would even run after the ball while he was supposed to be running bases. It was so fun to watch him shine and not be in the shadow of his older brother.

This is my first year of summer break as a Mom. As in, it is the first time I had a kid in school and then got him back for the summer. It is awesome to have Peter home all day. He’s more interested in doing activities with me and I can teach him again. He got out an old workbook and did page after page with just a bit of help from me. I love teaching my children and seeing what they learn.

We’ve been staying busy with trips to parks, swimming, and the library. Peter and I both discovered that we really like geocaching and we’ve gone almost daily since school got out.

I showed Henry Cookie Monster in a book and he would pretend to eat the cookie like Cookie Monster. It was adorable.

I was having a no good very bad day. Henry would not listen to me and insisted on carting an ice cream cone around the house. I was worn out and didn’t stop him, and when confronted with the inevitable mess I decided I no longer wanted to be a mom.

Luckily, Joe came home soon after so I could get a break. I decided to go backpacking by myself. I got out our map, found a random trail head and headed out after dinner.

The trail was not maintained. I didn’t hike that much at all, but found a beautiful place to camp. I was completely by myself. It was a wonderful and spiritual time. Just what I needed before heading back to my home and being a mom again, this time a bit more patient and loving than before.

They were all soaked by the end.

Peter has done great in kindergarten. He’s brought home some of his old work from the beginning of the year, and I’m impressed by the improvement he’s made in writing skills the most. It was a bit of adjustment at the beginning. He doesn’t love school, but likes it just fine.

We didn’t have a lot of time, and then our hiking was rudely interrupted by some punks shooting on the trail. It was still fun. It was the first hike we’ve been on that Henry was actually able to hike, and he loved it! He walked farther than I thought he would.

This made my day today:

I’m not quite sure why it has taken me so long to go up to the hot springs. I haven’t been there since we moved here. The only other time I was there was when I was a kid for a family reunion.

We went with my sister and a bunch of kids and everyone enjoyed it. Henry was sobbing when it was time to get out. He did not want to go.