4th of July Week

Lauren called to let us know Austin was in need of a new roommate. After I stopped laughing, I reminded her she has at least 17 more years on her roommate lease with that little stinker. Her word choices amuse me still. He is a spit fire, has a big personality and despite an ornery streak, or likely because of it, we adore him. He is bringing his mom for a visit Sunday and we have been warned to get some rest in preparation.

Greg needed new shoes and I had a $20 gift card for the Bluegrass Outlets about to expire so we took a trip to the Under Armour outlet.  In the end, both Greg and Ty got new shoes for a total of $60. Of course we then blew $20 more on ice cream. No one was mad.  I realized Greg doesn't have to shop often and when he does, he is at the Home Depot so our quick errand to Target this week opened up a whole new world for my hard working hubby. He loved the JoAnna Gaines porcelain pitcher; referring to it as a decent size coffee mug. Despite his enthusiasm, we did not purchase said pitcher. He amuses me still.

Pip is growing more comfortable with Kate, who is the only one in the house who handles him. We ordered an extra large exercise ball for his chubby little body and let him explore the house, much to the amazement of the other animals. So far, Kate is adoring the prickly little guy.

Monday we colored eggs because it's fun, the kit was nineteen cents and who says boiled eggs can be colorful at Easter only? Paired with some bacon and sour cream pancakes, they made for a unique July breakfast this week.  Also, that bourbon maple syrup? Delicious! (Side note: the pancakes are wonderful with paleo flour substituting for regular flour in the recipe.)

Erin wrapped one summer class and started another this week. The new one is exclusively online and requires cramming an entire semester of biology into four weeks. Sister is brave! Throw in a condo purchase and two jobs and we barely see her around here. And when we do? She is busy making paint selections or studying.

Kate and Ty got to knock two items off their summer bucket list on Tuesday when we finally made it to Strike and Spare in Clarksville, Indiana. For $20 total, they bowled, skated, rode bumper cars and played lazer tag. We finished the outing with icees. Bowling and roller skating were on the list. They can't wait to go back.

Kate loves a show on TLC called Outdaughtered and plans for it every Tuesday night. The animals seem to enjoy having us all gathered in the living room together. And because it's summer and I am not pushing her bedtime much these days, she has also fallen for the show that follows called Sweet Home Sextuplets. She loves babies and all the chaos they cause. Her babysitting career has been growing in recent months because she genuinely enjoys kids.

Wednesday we knocked another two items off our bucket list with the aid of the free summertime cultural pass. We wandered around the Speed Art Museum and then enjoyed a picnic with art supplies because I naively believed we would be inspired. One of us was and she continued to sketch and paint once we were home. The boy though was not impressed. I am a little saddened by his loss of interest as he used to love art. However, four years in a grumpy art teacher's classroom has stifled what used to be a natural delight in exploring different mediums. I hope he, like his sister rediscovers his love for creative expression once he enters middle school art classes his fifth grade year.

It's taken us the thirteen years we have lived here to finally make it to a local fireworks show. I love the ages the kids are now because I don't have to be as vigilant watching them in crowds. Live music on the waterfront before the show was great and we enjoyed ourselves considerably. Ty ran into a friend from school and played so hard, he was a sweaty mess despite the beautiful breeze coming off the river. He has declared we have to go back next year. We aren't opposed.

We headed down to my mom's for the 4th of July because the kids have been requesting time with their cousins. My mom and sister surprised Greg and I by offering to keep the kids for a few days so we can have some time alone in honor of our 25th wedding anniversary this next week. It was a win-win scenario as Theresa's house is where Ty always wants to run away to because "she has no rules" and we appreciate some time alone in the midst of all our crazy lives. While they swim and play, we are anticipating scenic drives, causal dinners where no one complains and resting up for our upcoming weeks with Lauren and Austin. Before we blink, the summer will be over and the kids will be back to school; July 29 creeping upon us much too quickly.