The Problem with Summer

You know that moment in the summer when you realize that all that free time is not always a good thing? When you see that there is really such a thing as "too much time on your hands"?

I had that moment today, when I came into the living room and found this:

Yes folks, that is a toilet-papered mummy of Paige, courtesy of big brother Garrett, who convinced her to stand still long enough to decorate her. And here's the part when I realized how much of a boring grown-up I am.... I was annoyed when I realized he'd used the "good" toilet paper instead of the cheap stuff I buy as emergency back-up! Needless to say, the "mummy" didn't stay still long, so the decorating spree was short-lived. It was at this point that I suggested a trip to the zoo, the bowling alley, the mountains, basically anywhere where I could spare myself yet another day of cleaning up after my two little tornadoes!

However, this problem won't last for long. In two short weeks, I have to report back to work for teacher's meetings, and school starts in three weeks! I will officially have 2 school-age children this year...'sniff'. Paige is so excited for kindergarten! Garrett is playing it cool, but I think he's excited too, considering how many times he has asked when school starts again.

So, for now, I'll try to enjoy the lazy, mess-making days of summer, because they will be gone far too soon!

In Other News

I've written so much about our remodel, it seems I don't know how to write about regular life. We are officially done with the inside of the house. There are still several outside things to be done (namely the concrete porch which is 2 weeks overdue in getting poured...not that I'm bitter or anything!). We'll also have to do the gutters and finish painting the eaves. But here's the great thing....it doesn't matter when these things get done! Sure, it'd be nice to have fresh paint on the eaves, but it won't affect my daily life if it doesn't get done for awhile. So, I am content to call the remodel DONE and focus on other things.

Paige has started a summer hip-hop dance class and is loving it. She cried for 20 minutes when she realized we didn't have class this week because of the holiday. She wailed "But I miss Ms. Lisa!!" The class fits perfectly with her little attitude and her love of throwing herself around wildly. I'm not sure I'll let her continue too far with hip-hop, as I was rather alarmed by watching the older girls thrust themselves all around. That may not quite be the attitude we're aiming for! But, Paige also watched a class of little girls tap dancing and was really enthralled, so maybe we'll try that too. She definitely loves to dance more than anything. She is unable to hear any sort of beat without shaking her hips and tapping her feet. I left the radio on in the living room the other day and she danced around to the music for a solid hour. God has definitely wired her to dance!

Garrett spent the first part of his summer immersed in Legos. He disappeared into his room and only emerged to show off his latest creations, which were more elaborate each time. He sometimes asks me to build with him, but then gets frustrated at my lack of creativity and eventually says "Let me fix it Mom!" I'm content to watch him line up the designs in perfect symmetry and amazing detail. The Lego-mania has cooled a little, and he is now looking forward to camping with my parents for a few days.

Since there are really no new pictures of the house, I'll show off a few of my cuties instead:

One of the Lego creations:

All of us and my brother's family at the Natural Bridge outside Payson, Arizona: