The SWEET SPOT

I read the most amazing article that kinda sums up my life right at this moment.  It is all about my kids being at the "sweet spot".  I can't say enough about how great this summer was.  If you have time and want to read something great, here is the link.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julianna-w-miner/the-sweet-spot_b_3617506.html

I also put the part that sums it up best for me:

Have you ever had a day like that? Where everything just degenerates into a huge goat rodeo? It was awful. So there I was the next morning at the pool, really looking at my kids. And even though we were still all fresh from the goat rodeo, I realized:

• Those are my kids right there: swimming and healthy and beautiful.
• Wait. Hold up. I'm not sitting in the too-warm baby pool, trying to pretend that it's not disgusting.
• And I'm not changing diapers in the sweltering summer heat because everyone in my family can wipe their own nethers.
• I haven't had to tell anyone not to drink the pool water this summer.
• I haven't used a stroller in over a year.
• We are all (mostly) sleeping through the night.
• They hardly ever scream "mommy mommy mommy MOMMMYYY!!!" every two minutes anymore.
• I can pee by myself (almost 40 percent of the time).
• They are sort of independent and (somewhat) helpful lately.
• Yet they still need me and want me to be with them.
• I can get hugs and kisses and snuggles whenever I want.
• But they can also take out the garbage.
• They're big, but they're still little.

I'm in the sweet spot.

I sat there for a moment and let it sink in. I've been so deep in The Blur for so many years. Not sleeping, eating cold mac and cheese off of Winnie the Pooh plates. Every day determined by nap schedules, nursing, diaper changes and preschool pick up. But that has changed over the past year or so, without me even noticing.

Madison off to overnight camp for the first time...

No words needed on this pic

Sent Blake off on a plane to Maine with the Warner-Hovmand family!

Oh God, please let this time last. Please slow it down a little bit. I didn't even realize we were here until the moment was half over. And what's coming next? Snapchat? Pimples, bras, curfews, pressure to make the same bad choices I did and just... All of it. I can wait for that. Can I just stay here with them a little longer? Can you please keep them safe and beautiful and young just a little while longer?

Thank goodness that they STILL find me in the  middle of the night !!!!

Silver Beach

A few weeks ago we ventured to Silver Beach in St. Joe.  It was a gorgeous day.  The kids played in the huge waves, at the sprinkler pad, and walked out to the lighthouse.  I'm really going to miss these wonderful summer days fun of fun in the sun...

High Wires and FAST Cars

We took the kids to their annual up north Pirate's Cove adventure.  Caitlin has been waiting 7 years for a zip line ride.  It was her night :)

The kids also love the ropes course and go-carts.  Blake could drive by himself, but the girls had to ride with Brett and I.  Madison really wanted to drive with Brett because he is a faster driver.  I convinced her to ride with me.  Luckily, we got a car in front of Brett and Caitlin to start.  Madison was having a great time, UNTIL they passed us...  Madison was not very happy with me.  We did however pass another person and that made her a little bit happier.

I was so proud of those three kids while they were climbing the ropes.   They are such daring children.  I hope they never loose their sense of doing whatever they want.

Caitlin

Blake

Madison

Go-cart team #1

Go-cart team #2

The WINNERS!!!!!

We really came in third, but Madison wasn't happy with that.  She is showing 2 fingers and I'm showing third place!!!!! She hates to lose.

Adorable Blake...  He did great driving solo

 

MID August REALLY???

I am sitting at my computer in an empty house.  It is a tad eery...  The kids have kept me so busy this summer and I have loved every minute of it.  I have such  mixed feelings about the next few weeks.  Honestly, I am ready for a little more ME time, but I'm also not ready to stop the everyday fun with these three amazing kids.  I still have so many great things to post from up north and can't even begin to explain how wonderful it was to be on the lake for 7 days.

Our little "Chicken LEG" skier...  She was adorable out there with her little skinny legs

This girl is fearless...

A little YOGA time on the boat with me...

beautiful...

Pay back time...  

Madison loved every minute of tricks with DAD

Dolphin trainer was a big hit this year.

Lots of wind in my hair...

Water Logged

We are loving the lake!  I think the kids might even be a little water logged.  We are all relaxing.  I've even read a whole book so far--  it is usually so hard for me to sit down and read.

We've busted out the skis!!!!!  I was a little nervous for the kids.  I wanted them to be successful and not get hurt.  Madison is a pro....  She is already doing tricks.  Blake is doing great too.  Caitlin hasn't tried it yet---  maybe next year.  So, of course I HAD to try it!!!!  I really thought I could slalom.  Hahaha---  for the first time in my life, I couldn't do something.  It was so hard and about killed me to have to ask Brett for the other ski.  I'm blaming it on the short, kids ski:). It was so fun to ski!

We have also been enjoying our sunset cruises.  The lake has been super flat and empty at dusk.  The kids love Brett's crazy driving and being able to drive with our lights on.

Blake is an expert scuba diver.  I can barely keep him out of the water.  He loves how clear this lake is!!!

We got the kids a remote control boat.  Blake loves it:)

Our little get a way...

Maddie the skier 

Scuba Blake 

Mommy doing it "old school"

Sunset cruise

The toy boat

Sand bar fun

Hit it Blake