For the past few years, we have done a summer schedule with something fun each day of the week. We had make-it Monday(cook or craft something), time-to-read-Tuesday(library), wet-Wednesday (swimming or some type of water activity), thoughtful-Thursday(doing something nice for somebody), and friend-Friday(lots of play dates)
But this year, I wanted a little more freedom to do whatever sounded fun that day, so
we started a new tradition.
We wrote summer goals.
The kids set goals in 5 different categories: Spiritual, mental, emotional, social, and physical.
It was fun to see what each of them came up with, and I have to say that it was eye-opening to see how well they know themselves.
We also made a summer bucket list and put all the fun things we wanted to do as a family on slips of paper in a bucket.
We let each of the older kids pick one activity out each week(so 3 activities a week).
This motived us to have a little structure, yet still get some flexibility to drop everything to head to the park with friends:)
One of my favorite parenting books is "The Parenting Breakthrough"
It emphasizes not just going through the motions but really having a plan for what and how you are going to teach your children each year of their life the skills they need to know to be independent.
This book has a small list of chores/skills to be taught each year of your child's life from 3-18. And breaks up everything they will need to know to be independent in doable lists for each year of their life.
We do ours each summer because I have more time to teach.
After they have learned and mastered a chore, they can be hired to do it.
I put up work for hire and if they want some money, they can earn it that way.
The only catch is that I am not their Mom when they are working for me for money, I am their boss. To earn the full amount of money on the card, they are expected to do the chore like a hired hand :)
We also did a kid's summer book club with some of the families in our church. The Moms rotated picking the book and hosting.
We did "Fantastic Mr. Fox"
Most of the rest of these pictures were items on our summer bucket list:
The kids made a ton of money at their lemonade and cookie stand.
Paxton went grocery shopping with Dave while we sold goodies.
The zoo with friends:
Dave and I went to the temple.
Dave and I usually switch off watching the kids and going inside.
The kids love to play in the stream outside the temple.
We planted a pallet garden:
The kids ran out to check on it every morning. It was definitely a summer favorite.
We found so many treasured little-painted rocks on our trips to the park, that we decided to make our own.
The kids were going to be starting yet ANOTHER new school this year, and so we visited their new school playground and hid the rocks there. I even hid one in a tricky place just for the boys to look at when they are out at recess and remember me:)
We wrote some of our favorite quotes on the back!
Landon had his first cub scout camp and loved it.
He is such a cute little cub scout!
Dave and I celebrated our 10-year wedding anniversary. We went on an overnight trip up to Cleveland, and it was so nice to just be the two of us and spend time reminiscing about our ten beautiful years together. I didn't get many pictures of our trip, but I did meet him at the door in my wedding dress(our yearly tradition).
Another one of our traditions is to dedicate a song to each other.
Honestly, it's one of my favorite things ever.
A song says things in a way even words can't, and sometimes we even slow dance to it. The kids really hate love that ;)
As a bonus every time one of the songs we have dedicated to each other comes on the radio, I get sentimental and think of Dave.
I am so grateful for him. I would rather be with him than anybody in the world.
He is my check-and-balance and tells me to slow down when things get too busy, But he also encourages me to pursue my talents and dreams. He gives me wings to fly, and I love him for it!
Dave chose this one for me:
My song for him:
We had the cutest young woman from church watch our kids and they had ALMOST as much fun as us.
She had the kids decorate the door to welcome us home:
Dave surprised us with an ice cream cake
to celebrate completing residency.
He talked to us about how it was a family effort:)
The kids felt pretty special, and they should. They have put up with a lot over the past 7 years. Tired parents who love them, but are trying their best, to find a work/home life balance.
They are troopers and we are grateful for them!
Here a few of the feelings I had during Dave's graduation:
Dave's pediatric medical residency graduation last night. No words to describe how we both felt. Mostly deeply grateful. Medical school and residency have been extremely challenging and Dave has made many sacrifices. Dave has worked LONG hours, and has given his all to his family, church and work. I am so proud of not only what he has accomplished, but the WAY he has accomplished it. Even though it has been difficult, we have felt carried and helped along the way. Grateful for the answers to prayers that have come in many different forms. For family and friends who have helped and loved me and the kids when Dave couldn't be around. 7 years down, 2 more years of fellowship to go!
I am so proud of him for all his hard work and dedication!
We said goodbye to my "Ohio sister" Jlene.
Her family moved in next door to us, and we shared a duplex throughout residency.
Our kids played together daily.
Our husbands started and finished residency together and Jlene and I cheered each other on during some of the hardest/blessed years of our lives.
Both of these women are wonderful mothers, friends, and examples to me, and Arizona is lucky to have Jlene!
I took this picture of the kids to give to Dave for Father's Day and you wouldn't believe how hard it was to get, enough said:)
Dave looking all GQ in his traditional handmade Father's Day tie.
He is LOVED!
We celebrated Canada Day with some yummy poutine!
4th of July Parade:
We are felt lucky to be able to watch our 1st 4th of July fireworks in this house from our driveway.
I tried some new breakfast/lunch recipes this summer that we feel in love with.
This is a smoothie bowl, kind of like the acai bowls we loved in Brazil:)
Coconut cream pie overnight oats
Baked Oatmeal, but we call them "breakfast cupcakes"
With kids......it's all in the advertising:)
These aren't healthy but are definitely a favorite dessert.
Fruit pizza cookies
Easton and Landon both played baseball
Landon's team was sponsored by Mitchell's ice cream.
Let's just say there were perks:)
Oaklyn and a cute little friend occupied their time during one of the games with a tube of lipstick
Paxton loved visiting with all his furry friends.
This boy needs a dog:)
Dave started a two-year fellowship in Allergy and Immunology. They had a welcome dinner at a beautiful place on Lake Erie called the "Shoreby Club"
They invited our kids and we knew there wouldn't be many kids there if any, so we spent a few nights at the dinner table getting ready and emphasizing manners.
One night at the table, one of our kids asked a younger sibling who was using their hands to pick up a stray noodle, "Would you do that at the Shoreby Club?"
We all laughed, and that became, our new catchphrase, when we want to kids to shape up their manners at the dinner table.
We just say, "Let's pretend we are at the Shorby Club."
And it works...every time!
These 5 mean everything to me!
We renovated the cute little playhouse in our backyard:
Dave made 2 tree swings
Museum of natural history
Trying to look terrified!
Car/bike wash:
Fairy garden:
Trips to the grocery store.
Lobsters are a fan favorite:)
When the kids asked to try these on, I tried not to think about the germs and how many other kids had tried them on before us.
Smore's and star gazing
July 24th is pioneer day. Commemorating the arrival of the Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake valley.
I don't usually do much to celebrate, but it fell on a Monday night this year and there was a great idea in "The Friend"(a church children's magazine), so we decided to do a Pioneer Day family night.
The kids helped me plan.
They are used to my last-minute ideas and runs to the store at this point:)
The made a convered wagon.
They gather flowers, much like, I am sure the pioneer children did.
The pioneer broadcast on lds.org played as we set up.
Their parade:
The kids made butter.
Covered wagon dessert(an idea from the friend)
We called my Grandma and Grandpa Hill up in Canada and asked them to tell us pioneer stories for our lesson that night. I was touched that even with late notice they took time to share family history with our kids.
It is something our family will never forget!
One of my good friends has her kids sell fresh honey each Summer.
They invited us to come and watch the process.
It was one of the neatest things we have seen, and we learned a lot despite a few bee stings:)
Paxton wanted to drink it like water.
This was his face when he realized it was not water.
Paxton moved to a big boy bed and he did great, but I may or may not have shed a tear or two.
He will always be my baby!
And all my other sleeping babies:
We spent the day on the beach at Lake Erie.
I love the beach and can't wait to take them to a real one someday.
They had a blast!
I just happened to catch this adorable Father-son moment one Sunday.
I hope he grows up to be JUST like his Dad.
Night games and s'more bars
Play Dates
Shadow Drawing
Treasure hunts
Gummy bear/Sprite popsicles
I froze some toys in the ice and they chiseled them out.
Perfect activity for a hot afternoon.
I chopped my hair short
Birthday parties
Garage sales are my jam, and Paxton's too apparently
Ice cream for lunch
Happy Summer!
Solar s'mores
Zoo trips
Summer reading program
Free bagels
Fun projects with this cute little helper crew.
Rain gutter races
Paxton slept through most of it.
Paxton was on a graffiti streak
I made him clean up the mess
Mommy school with Oaklie.
Sight word beanboozled and a number order game.
Family movie date
The cutest boy showed up at my door with handpicked flowers to take me on our annual back to school date. 
❤️
We went on a beautiful hike, and chatted as we walked. Landon is wise beyond his years, and so fun to talk to. He really is an absolute gem! ❤️
💎 Not sure how I got so lucky!
Oaklyn's date
Easton's Back to school date
Our annual back to school backyard movie night with neighbors.
I didn't get a ton of pictures.
I had a backyard movie night with the youth I teach as well. My kids loved running the concession stand.
For the youth activity, I had them make cars for the drive-in movie out of cardboard boxes.
This class was fun to teach!
Great kids, and one of my favorite callings ever!
In the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, there are no paid clergy.
Each member sacrifices their time and talents and volunteers to serve and teach each other in various positions in the tens of thousands of congregations around the world.
I have had many different callings(jobs), and have learned and grown in different ways from each one.
Landon loved our garden and it was one of his favorite parts of Summer.
Back to school picture books wrapped with inscriptions and sharpened pencil banner.
This time of year makes me miss teaching.
First day of school 2017
Grade 3, grade 1, and two little mommy schoolers. ❤️
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🤓Easton's first year of all day school, and Oaklyn's last year at home with me. Love these little cuties with all my heart!
❤️
We had to get donuts to drown our sorrows after dropping the boys off on the first day of school...it's tradition! 
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