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Somehow our summer days fill up quickly. We have so much we've been up to. Dance and music class started for Isla, we've had LOTS of park/play dates with friends, Mimi came to visit while Michael climbed mountains in Colorado, we've spent a lot of time swimming and Nana and Pop Pop's pool, we took a day trip to the Indiana Dunes, and we still have so much more to do this summer! I wish it was summer all year round, but I'm also exhausted :)
I take a counter-cultural stance on organized sports/activities for children under 5-7 years old. I just don't think it's necessary or beneficial for children, especially when there is no time left for play and the freedom to just "be a kid". But, against my better judgement and beliefs, I signed Isla up for a music class and tumbling/dance class. The music class is something we did with her as a baby and had to stop due to Covid. Isla loves music and I thought she would just love experiencing different kinds of music, instruments, and exposure to a music teacher. She enjoys it, but I wouldn't say she's passionate about the class. The tumbling class was because Isla is a wild child who loves to somersault, attempt handstands, and roll every which way. I honestly signed her up for safety reasons in hopes this class would teach her proper technique. I should have listened to my gut because this class has been anything but enjoyable. I will continue to take her if she says she wants to go (which she does) and because I still think learning proper technique is wise (also, we paid a lot of money for the class). If anything good has come from this, it's that she's exposed to other children, other teachers, new environments, and a mama who learned her listen (ALWAYS follow your mama gut).
Because Aunt Rah Rah is a teacher, we get to see her a lot more with her summer's off. She came down to visit and we were able to play, visit the zoo, and hang out in our little pool! The boys are so, so different, but I still am counting on them being the best of friends.
And then we spent another night at the ampitheatre, listening to music. This time some of our friends joined!
Our caterpillars finally emerged as butterflies. We were able to observe them for a few days before setting them free. They even let us hold them a little while. What a special experience it was to watch our teeny tiny caterpillars make it all the way through to beautiful butterflies! And that wrapped our last unit for awhile. We are way too busy for structured units right now :)
And then Mimi came to visit/help while Michael left for Colorado on another one of his mountain climbing adventures. We really missed Michael. This was the first time he left and one of our children was aware of his absence. It was a hard week for all of us, to say the least. I'm glad my mom could visit though. We took her to all our favorite places like Sugar Grove and the zoo.
As soon as Michael got home, we turned around and headed to Indiana to play at the beach. We were able to meet up with Devan, Logan, and their daughter Madelynn (who we are just calling our "cousin" even though I think they are technically second or third cousins). We ended up having an anxious morning as more and more people showed up, eventually the beach was so crowded (like people-using-our-towels-crowded) that we packed up and headed back to Devan and Logan's hotel room. We hung out there, swam in the pool a little, and had dinner before heading home. In hindsight, it was probably a little too long of a drive/day to be a day trip with a toddler and baby, but everyone was a trooper and we loved seeing some of our favorite people. Ewan really loved eating the sand too.
We have spent a lot of time in the garden. I've kept a garden that inevitably turns to weeds by midsummer for about 6 years now, but this little professional gardener is keeping me accountable. She helps me water, weed, and check for produce every day! Someday (in our next house), I'd like a huge garden that we use to feed us well beyond strawberry season (which is all she cares about right now!).
Can you spot Peter Rabbit?
And of course, we've had lots of swimming, painting, playing, hanging, and loving :)
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