Claire and Jackson: Lazy Days of Summer

Our summer started off very busy, with our trips to Florida and NYC. Once Claire and I got home, things settled down and we've had a lazy few weeks. The kids have been sleeping in late and by the time we eat breakfast it's usually at least 9:00. We go out for a bit to Walmart, Wegmans, or...um, nope that's about it...and then we come home for lunch and naps. I'm a teacher and I tell people that they should do lots of fun, educational activities all summer long, yet the fun, educational activities in this house have been few and far between. Sure, we've gotten the playdoh out a few times, we've baked and cooked, we went on a nature walk, and we even went to Strong Museum, but mostly we've been lazy. Ooooh, wait! We dotted Claire's name with Bingo markers one day and even tie dyed shirts last weekend! Feel free to send the Mother of the Year award my way anytime. Anywhoo, I have a feeling that my kids are getting ready to go back to daycare, where they have lots of fun and do activities all day long! In exactly one week they will both have spent their first full day back at daycare, in their new classrooms, with their new friends and teachers. I'm in complete denial that our lazy days together are coming to an end. In the meantime, in no particular order, some with comments and some without, some random pictures from these lazy days...

Embracing our "backyard" and squeezing a pool into it!

Our first real tea party, complete with the glass set that was given to us at my baby shower when I was pregnant with Claire. Note the pan of vegetables...that's my girl!

The next Bobby Flay?

Homemade water slide!

Note the pile of Veggie Booty on the floor. Thanks, Jack!

I'm going to be sappy for a second. Jack's shirt says it all....these kids are SO lovable. How did we get so lucky? Sure, they fight over toys and I never have enough attention to give to both of them at once, but they love each other so much. Jack looks up to Claire and wants to do everything she does. Claire doesn't put up too much of a fight when Jack wants her toys, and she tries to be his second mama, leading him around the house and helping him put his shoes on. My sweet babies :)

Jack has started saying "CHEESE!" and making this face as soon as I pull out the camera!

We miss you, Hannah and Katie!!! (two of our very favorite babysitters, who deserted us, left us in the dust to go to college. Who needs college???

Of course I fit in here, Mommy!

Such a good mama (I have no idea where she gets it from!!). And check out the bling. My little girl knows how to look her best, even when caring for a newborn!

It's no secret that I am a stressed-out, anxious ball of a mess the majority of my waking hours. This summer I started doing yoga as a way to learn to calm down and slow down, without having to medicate myself. It works! Huge benefit is that Claire loves doing it with me, which I think is so darn cute. Namaste!

We do yoga, we meditate...and we make homemade sushi! Go us! I am way more fun than I thought I was when I started this post!

Okay, seriously. I say it all the time, but how cute is she??? And yes, she tried the sushi! Didn't love it, but at least tried it, and ate potstickers, too. My dream is to get her to acquire the taste for sushi and take her out in Manhattan for it. Nothin' cuter than a kid at a sushi bar!