Summertime Fun

Although summer is rapidly coming to a close, I wanted to recap some of our summer fun. We've taken the kids to our local splash pad a handful of times and they always have a blast, running in and out of the fountains and squealing with delight. We are fortunate to live in a town that has a great Parks & Recreation Department with one of our favorite parks housing a beautiful lake/beach area for swimming & sunbathing as well as a splash pad that is perfect for big and little kids alike. We love the splash pad mostly because it's free, but also because it's a great way to cool off after the playground without having to haul the puddle jumpers, arm floaties, and swim rings with us. Seriously though, a trip to the pool for us means packing up nearly everything we own and driving 10 minutes across town for 15 minutes of actual swimming. Add in a small fortune spent at the snack bar and 500 trips to the nastiest public restrooms and the day is complete. I know you other moms out there can relate.

This summer our kids have experienced the ocean, the swimming pool, and the splash pad and have thoroughly enjoyed each (although Taylor would've enjoyed the ocean more without salt), but it's safe to say they love the splash pad the most. I'm a fan because it's rarely ever crowded and it allows my kids to stop and snack as frequently as they'd like (which is basically every 5 minutes) without it costing me a fortune. They can play at their leisure and run off all of their excess energy without me having to constantly worry about one of them drowning. But my absolute favorite thing about the splash pad (aside from the fact that I don't have to wear a bathing suit) is that the kids nap at least 3-4 hours every time we go. Which means momma does, too.

Even though our summer fun has frequently been interrupted by tantrums and naps, it has been pretty magical overall. Logan has experienced so many firsts over the past few months, and Taylor has been (mostly) helpful and patient with him along the way. As our family dynamic continues to evolve, we are learning that life with two kids is way more fun. She is protective of her little brother and he looks up to everything she does and, at 18 months and (almost) 4 years old, their levels of play are finally starting to mesh. This isn't to say that she doesn't get frustrated with him often and he doesn't smack her upside the head with a toy car every now and then, but overall they are really beginning to bond. This summer has brought changes for all of us with Taylor declaring her independence, Logan turning into a toddler overnight, and Jake & I finally feeling like ourselves for the first time in nearly four years. It has been a summer filled with every emotion imaginable, but it has also been the best one to date. 

Here's to trading our swim suits for sweaters and our jellies for jackets - bring on September!