Summer approaching

It's Memorial Day weekend. Only 6 days until the last day of school. I'm trying not to panic.

The good news is, the kids are older than they've ever been and that makes some things easier:

--I can leave Alice or Robert home unsupervised for short periods of time while I shuttle younger siblings to and fro.

--Alice is old enough to watch a couple siblings at home without me for short periods of time, as long Robert and James are never left with her at the same time. Those boys!! *sigh*

--They all speak English, use the toilet, eat adult food, and are capable of dressing themselves.

--I can work outside while they stay inside. They come outside anyway because they don't like to leave me alone. Ever. But it's theoretically possible.

--Having one or more of their friends over makes less work for me, not more.




The bad news is, they're older than they've ever been and that makes some things harder:

--They aren't all satisfied with the same activities. Or movies. Or anything. It's rare to find something everyone is excited to do.

--It's harder to coerce them to do anything. Anytime.

--They make bigger messes and more noise than ever.

--The problems are more complex and involve a lot more give and take. For example, it's exhausting to develop a new house rule. I love that everyone gets a chance to contribute, but what a process!

We'll make it work. We've somehow managed to do it every summer so far, anyway. I've got a few activities and camps planned for each of them, but there's a lot of down time, too, for play dates and spontaneous summer life. I think it's a good balance this year.

Here's what we've been up to lately:

We purchased an electric lawn mower. Now we all feel better about Robert mowing the lawn. It's lighter, quieter, easier to maneuver, and easier to fuel. If we recharge it at home, it's even solar powered!

Two cubic yards of mulch. I always put the pile in front of my side of the garage so I'm more motivated to get rid of it. We're refreshing the beds by the front walkway and refilling the aisles between the garden beds.

Matthew hanging out in the shopping wagon at the plant nursery. I purchased a few colorful shade plants to make our hosta beds a little more visually appealing.

Korean dinner date with Bobby. Tasty. Adventurous. We ordered all three things I was willing to try off of their 4-page menu. I don't think I can claim to be *that* adventurous of an eater anymore :(

Mother's Day selfie.

James trimmed the boxwoods. They're lopsided and not exactly round, but he had a GREAT time, and I'm satisfied that they won't grow out of control this year.

*sigh* I love play dates that make the afternoon easier for me. For all of us.

Because...ummmm...I have no idea. It's just Robert.