Even though I hate to acknowledge it, we’re half way through the summer now. So let’s take a look at this to-do list I posted earlier with updates in green:
*This list is in no particular order.
- Play for endless hours in the back yard with the boys **Most days
- Construct outside clothes line (one of those eco-friendly things I love to do)
- Take long walks each day (weather permitting) with the boys to the park, library, and anywhere else we can think of. **Most days
- Paint the deck.
- Finger paint on rainy days with Calvin and Oliver. **Thankfully we haven’t had too many rainy days yet!
- Revamp flowerbeds (both in front of our house and behind our deck, they are in sad, sad shape!) **The front is getting there, thanks to Fred’s parents who gave us some landscaping rocks. I’ve got to get some more plants, but I’m trying to do this as cheaply as possible, so I’m waiting for good deals and handouts…
- Encourage Oliver to sleep through the night (in my dreams, right?), crawl, and walk! **I think this is going to take all summer.
- Reorganize/clean out storage space in the kitchen and closets upstairs. **This is started, I’ve got Cal’s room and the hall closet done, as well as some of the kitchen cabinets cleaned out
- Read countless numbers of books to both boys. **Everyday!
- Scour garage sales for gently used toys, both for inside and outside. **We’ve had some success, but we’re still looking for a basketball hoop and climber (not that we have any flat space in our yard to put it)
- Take the boys swimming. **We’ve gone once, but this is challenging when Fred’s working, Cal is such a little busy body!
- Weed the revamped flowerbeds (I’m really bad at keeping up with this). **Fred’s been doing more of this than me.
- Visit the zoo with friends and family. **We’ve hit the Akron and Cleveland Zoos once already. Anyone want to go again?
- Visit local farmers markets for fresh produce and make healthy and tasty meals. **Springfield has a small market on Fridays and there are a few more I want to get to, to check out still, but the produce I’ve gotten is great!
- Spend lazy summer days in the yard with the boys and nights on the deck with Fred. **Most nights
- Read good books. **Just finished Jodi Picoult’s Handle with Care; amazing and heartbreaking. Now on to Naptime is the New Happy Hour by Stefanie Wilder-Taylor
- Take naps (when the boys do). **Really, who has time for this?
- Clean the carpets.
- Fill up the kiddie pool and splash with Calvin and Oliver. **We’ve got pictures to post!
- Re-cement the cement block around our house.
- Enjoy the season and hope it never ends! **We really have been enjoying the season!
Hmm, looks like we have gotten to do most of the fun things, but the actual chores…not so much. Oh well, we’re busy! If we get the important stuff done, that’s all that matters. And by important, I mean enjoying the summer with our boys!
(says his reading teacher mother!)
