summer days.

More summer fun than you can stand:

• We went to "Touch-a-Truck" where they had all sorts of cool and not-as-cool vehicles to look at. Chris and I wanted to look at the fire trucks and ambulance and the armored police tank that looked like the Batmobile, but Carly, nope, she was all about the moving truck and the school bus. She was so excited about the school bus, she jump right up into the driver's seat. "Maybe one day I could be a bus driver!" she exclaimed. Yes, maybe someday you can.

• We broke out the Play Dough one day and Carly crafted an octopus with 8 legs and a white temple. She poked it with her finger and said, "It needs a door so people can go in." Amen to that, sister. The twins, however, smelled something interesting and saw bright colors, so naturally they both took big bites. John's bottom teeth were caked in blue Play Dough. Gag me. I banished them both and Q wasn't happy about it.

• We've been on a board game kick around here. Carly LOVES Sorry! There was an episode of Parenthood once where they let Sydney win all the time so she turned into a bad sport. In light of that, I play with Carly 100% fair and square. She beats me sometimes and I beat her sometimes, and she's learning not to be upset when she loses. We also made up a kid-friendly version of Ticket to Ride, and I have to say I may like that one more. Way less stressful. 

• Quinn likes corn on the cob. Like really really likes corn on the cob. Like she gnaws on the cob once all the corn is gone, and screams like you're ruining her life when you take it away.

• We went to the City of Lansing Market. It was all sorts of fun, with pretty Michigan grown fruits and veggies, burgers with GF buns, and Belgian chocolate gelatto. Then we headed up to the state capital. I love capital buildings, and this was the second one this summer we visited that was closed. Bummer. We'll have to journey up on a weekday. 

• The Mitten spent a week of 90-100 degree days and any thoughts of maybe moving to Texas some day went out the window. I can't take it.

• We've had all sorts of water fun. My go-to lazy mom trick is to fill a giant pitcher and a bucket with water and give the kids measuring cups and let them go at it. Its funny to watch them, as Q and Carly tenderly take sips and water plants, while John throws it all over his face and soaks his clothes. And only a daddy would dunk his son's head, and only a John would laugh about it.

• Our third trip to the splash pad was the charm, and the kids warmed up to the idea. It still doesn't hold their attention for too long. The park where the pad is also has a small lake, and all three of my little Michiganders prefer the lake. Its more work for mom but a lot less whining from them, so I don't mind. Quinn just sits on her knees with the water up to her armpits and doesn't move. If you try to take her out of the water she gets mad. She just wants to sit. She cracks me up.

• One thing I love about the Midwest is the warm downpours. You just don't see rain like this elsewhere. We make sure to play in it every time. And when the sun inevitably comes out 10 minutes later, there are lots of puddles left to explore. 

• Our complex pool is warming up, and often empty in the mornings. The poor sun-tanners don't get much peace and quiet when we're around.

• We went to a nearby water park with some friends. It had a zero-depth pool, which was perfect for the three babies, and Carly and G could stand up in the shallow pool, plus they had life jackets for anyone to use. Two moms and 5 kids lasted FOUR hours, and we had so much fun. Quinn got to the point where she would just walk out until the water reached her chin, and push my had away when I tried to grab her. John loved "jumping" off the edge into 5 inches of water. Ever the fishy, I had to drag Carly out when it was time to go. Our wristbands were good for the whole day, so we headed back in the evening with daddy, mostly so mommy could go down the water slides. It was the ultimate exhausting summer day.

• We have all sorts of everyday cuteness too. We paint nails, we give snuggles, we're learning to fold our arms for prayers, we wear 3 pairs of daddy's socks at once, we give kisses on our 16-month day, we look fly in our sunglasses (even if we're in a pink car seat), we give mom a workout at the grocery store, we pile on daddy, and we lament our first-ever time out.

These simple summer days make for a good life.

xoxo.