Ready or Not Summer is Coming!

So here it is. In writing. How my/our/your life runs. I feel like everyone can take a nugget of experience or relate to my life, learn something, cry with me, or at least spit your morning coffee or evening cocktail at the computer laughing at my expense.


I don't even know where to start. So I will spit out what was running through my head as we escorted the boys to the bus stop this morning. Summer break starts in 9 days. I'm a bit frightened. I don't know how we operated with 3 kids and both of us working before. It's a lot of work. Managing a toddler is a full time job. Toss in the other two maniacs and I am pretty much up to my ass in alligators until the sun goes down. The boys would be completely content playing video games from sun up to sun down every day. They would likely be sitting on the couch in the same Star Wars underoos as yesterday at 3pm playing Mario Kart if I let them. But I am a glutton for punishment. I am planning a summer of adventure and fun. They will thank me later.


My children are annoyed by crafts and irritated by organized play. Free spirits... or crazy- however you want to label it. They have the attention span of gnats. So I am going to try and hide the fact that they are doing what I want them to do. 


First on the docket: Tire Paintings. My brother's family bought the boys a drawing kit for Christmas that has a big roll of paper. We are going to unroll it on the driveway, paint the wheels on their bikes and scooters and let them ride all over the paper. It will probably be horribly messy. I will likely say at least once- what the hell was I thinking. But I think they will dig it- and it is likely the closest I am going to get to an art project from Bradan (the oldest) this summer. Tire paintings will be followed by the ever so fancy schmancy Kid Wash Sprinkler and a few buckets of suds for them to scrub their bikes clean. 


Quick note about the above Kid Wash Sprinkler... you should stop reading this, go to the hardware store and just make it if you have not done it already. It is easy, cheap and the kids friggin love it. I had seen it on Pintrest- and after my girlfriend Stacey's husband built it for her minions- we needed one too!

Kate - 21 Months- Running through the Kid Wash

Bradan - 7 Riding the scooter-skateboard through the Kid Wash

I made it in less than an hour and as long as you have a hose already- you are looking at only about $25 in expenses. The only time suck is letting the PVC cement dry. This is kind of a buzz kill when the kids see it sitting there all assembled- looking super fun and can't wait to hook up the hose and start playing- but just believe me when I tell you- if you don't let it dry, the water pressure will just push the thing apart- your child will be clobbered in the head with a PVC pipe and then you are subjected to unnecessary whining. Put it together- go inside to put on the swimgear- have a snack and let it dry. Let the PVC pipe entertain your child  this summer instead of the slip n' slide which is guaranteed to be gummed up with grass and have your children whining about broken ribs and scraped knees. It costs about the same too.

So, this will probably cover a good 2 hours of the day. I have no idea what kind of filler we will use for the rest of the day. There will likely be food, movies, off-site adventure, lots of tattle tailing and threats made by me to help keep the peace... we'll figure something out. I don't want to use all the super-way-cool-awesomeness up on one day- summer break is 10 weeks long. I'll try and keep you up to speed don't you worry :) How are you and the kids spending your summer? 


Alright. If it wasn't painful, entertain me, give me the warm fuzzies and follow my blog. Wanna really make me feel special, make a comment, tell a friend or enemy to read my blog. For even a moment - I will feel like Sally Field. 

Sally Field Clip - Courtesy of Youtube.com