Happy Summer!

We kicked off our first day of summer on Friday!  

Of course, our day started entirely too early at 6:30 am with Andrew running into the room yelling "Happy Summer"!  Aiden pitter-pattered behind them with both climbing into bed, which lasted all of about five minutes before one asked for "a show" while the other asked for cereal.

We headed downstairs for soem cartoons and cereal before really moving around for the day.  We did the usual morning routine, which included getting this rascal dressed...

And this one kicking off his summer school...

We kicked off the morning with a play date with one of Aiden's close friends from school.  His mom dropped him off over here for three hours (we have been swapping back and forth and it's truly lovely) where I decided to take all four kids on a walk with bikes & scooters to the neighborhood park.  They ran and played & we also ran into another great family that we are friends with to play!  We headed home for lunch, the big boys jumped in the bounce house, and the little ones took some rest time in.  We finally said good-bye to our friends and I have to say that I am loving the 5 year old age.  They played SO nicely together and are sweet and fun together that I would take him over here anytime.  

Chris worked half day so when Aiden said good-bye to his friend, we said hello to our beloved cleaner and our family headed downtown for a run on the trail.  This is our new jogging set-up and can you believe that two kids out of three fell asleep.  Which one stayed awake?  Abby!  (I don't know why the picture is blurry, possibly my OLD phone!)

After the run, Abby decided that she wanted to join big brother...

 And we walked down to the local ice cream shop for some ice cream and Fanta in the bottle!

We arrived home for a later afternoon of play in the backyard and Jimmy John's subs for dinner.  The perfect way to kick off the summer...

Last Day of School!

These silly boys were super excited yesterday for their LAST DAY of school!  Summer has officially started here in the Rogers household...

We loaded up for the last day of school, but I quickly snapped some "last day of school" pictures before my camera AND phone died.  Story of my life.  And they wore about the same thing that they did as the first day of school, navy shirts!  (And trust me, I didn't plan that!)

I can't believe that this boy is officially done with preschool.  He started preschool 2 1/2 years ago and just said good-bye to his THIRD preschool.  He's getting to be a pro at starting at new schools, so at least I feel a little better with him starting at a school next year where there are LOTS of new faces.  He is so ready for kindergarten, but this mom is so not ready for kindergarten.  But at least we have all summer long to have this fun boy at home before he starts.   He had an awesome last day of school, but literally in his eyes, everyday of preschool is awesome.

And this little rugrat just completed his first year of preschool.  He has grown SO much this year.  He does things at school that he would never do at home:  paint, color, clean up toys, etc.  He loved being at school & his teachers were fabulous with him.  Happy and loving, just what a little one needs.  He also will be starting at a new school next year.  Right down the street from Aiden's elementary school and thankfully, we can walk to both of them so hopefully he has another happy year.  But until then I'm pretty sure his summer will be filled with action heroes, books, knights, and trucks in the sandbox. 

We officially kicked off summer together today...more to come later!  I am trying to take some time and cherish this summer together because this is may be our last summer in the DC area (But you never know?  I have learned to say "never say never").  This is the last summer before Aiden moves on to elementary school.  And seriously, look at these faces...how could you not have a fun AND wild summer!

Some Random Photos!

Our school year comes to a close this year!  I am looking forward to a full & fun summer with the kids although my down time will go from almost no free time to NONE!  This week, we are looking forward to end of year picnic at school, Aiden's last day of preschool, kindergarten registration, & MeMe Ruff coming to visit next weekend!

Today, I'm just sharing some of my favorites from the past week or so!

One of our favorite activities in our town is visiting this old caboose right near downtown.  It entertains all three of them right in the center of town...

I took the trio out for ice cream after the library on a Friday afternoon!  Let's just say that they were three happy campers...

We broke out the water table again this year.  Five years old and it's still going strong, although I'm thinking we need something a little larger!  All three kids having fun...

We headed to the park one morning with Aiden's classmates.  As we left, I found the boys holding hands.  Such a sweet moment...

I had such a lovely Mother's Day tea at Aiden's school.  His class put on a very special performance followed by a little "tea" party in their classroom!

Many afternoons you will find me and the crew out on the trails by our house.  It's like walking a circus!

My little bookworm...

Sweet girl!  (And don't let this picture fool you.  She is more into trucks & trains.  She threw this doll on the floor over and over and over!)

I love my boys!

Sweet Dreams baby girl!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

Especially to my own mom, mother in law, & grandmas in our lives:)  

And all my dear friends & sisters who happen to be awesome mamas too...

Our day was spent with a little craziness, a little relaxation, and lots of fun!  

(And of course a few meltdowns...)

Another One Down for the Count...

When one gets sick, soon another...

Our baby girl was up all night with the flu.  Let's just hope the boys avoid catching this bug that I still can't seem to totally shake out of my system.  And of course it's a crazy week between Mother's Day Tea in both classrooms, teacher's appreciation week (where volunteer room mom is in charge of the week!), & just keeping up with the three kids.

Other happenings of the week:

• I enjoyed a nice Mother's Day tea with Andrew.  I was still a little under the weather, but forced myself to head out for this very special occasion.  It's a rare moment when I have one on one time with my kids!  He chose not to sing and instead made his usual "silly faces" while the sweet girl next to him did all the singing and actions!  But he was excited to have some cookies & lemonade with his mom in his own classroom.  I can't believe that in two weeks he will have finished his first year of preschool.
• We headed out to Target yesterday morning before school to grab some fruit for teacher's appreciation baskets, some dog food, & a few other random needs.  We arrived and Aiden climbed out of the car and apparently forgot his shoes.  Aahh, so we just acquired another pair of flip-flops for the summer while there.  Thankfully his teachers are so laid-back that they didn't mind him wearing the flip-flops to school.  Sorry I couldn't fork over $30 for sneakers that weren't even cute! 
• Chris & I were going to attempt a half marathon next month, but I'm leaning towards backing out.  Me, not him.  I just don't know if we have enough time to do all the training.  I got up to 7 miles last week!  But if we both want to do long runs that takes 1-2 hours each per weekend.  Weekends are precious as that's really the only family time we have.  Is it worth losing that time to run?  Decisions, decisions...
• Our house is all about Rescuebots.  I never thought I would have Transformer loving boys but we can't get enough of them.  They play with their action figures, pretend they are Rescuebots, read Rescuebot books, and we have to watch the show everyday.  More than enough for me!
• Aiden is turning into a little hoarder.  I'm a little worried.  He has collections of stuff all over the house-Easter candy, rocks and sticks found in the yard, his animal & shell collections, & let's not even talk about his school supply habit that MeMe Ruff helps fill with her leftover school items.  Is this an age thing or is this a problem?
• Abby is a little rascal (when she feels better!).  She claps her hands, climbs on everything (including the back of the couch with big brother Andrew), tears through the cupboards, & is turning into little Miss Into Everything!

Off to get ready for the day.  It's a low-key morning before school while Abby naps and hopefully recovers.  Looking forward to the weekend and hoping a Happy & Healthy Mother's Day better be in the picture this weekend!

Struck with the Flu!

Life is seriously flying by!  Our weekend this past month (and weeks!) have been extra crazy:)  I think that's what happens when your kids get a little older and there are there are three kids to keep going!

This weekend was our first slow weekend in a long time.  Aiden had soccer practice on Saturday & then we enjoyed a nice low-key morning downtown before just having a good ole family night around the house.  Sunday, we headed to church and Chris took the boys to a birthday party while Abby and I held down the fort catching up on life around here.  Laundry.  Mail piles.  Cleaning.  Etc.  I could seriously use a good day on my own to help get this place organized, but we all know that will never happen!!!

And I was excited to start off the week feeling somewhat caught up on life...until yesterday, when I was struck down with the flu around noon time.  Ugh, it is rough!  After picking up Aiden at school, we took one of the most low key afternoons in a long time.  Aiden took care of his siblings---getting snacks, unloading the car, etc. while I could hardly leave the couch.  I put myself to bed by 8 when Chris arrived home because I could hardly move.  Not kidding.

The problem with life as a mom is that one never gets breaks.  Chris had a big meeting at work today so although I feel a little better, it's tough to take care of three little ones when you are sick.  Plus, I had to babysit another wee one this morning & we are just about to head out to pick up some flowers for teacher's appreciation & I have a Mother's Day tea to attend for Andrew's school.  No rest for the weary.  It may be another 8 pm bedtime for me.

I haven't updated in awhile but wanted to share some fun pics from this past low-key weekend!