• ENJOY THE SILENCE •

the kids (minus kenna who is in summer school) are off to my moms house for a week of mimi, papa, aunt alisha and karissa bliss. yesterday they packed their own clothes and other necessities for the week (anna: Silkie and a purse full of tiny little things she is sure to lose under the couch or in a dogs mouth, nathan: huge alligator stuffed animal pillow, drew: four different pillows, a telescope, and his gameboy.) enjoying the silence doesnt begin to describe it.

mckenna is in school for the first four weeks of summer, which is really good for kids like her to keep the routine and the academics fresh. its also extra beneficial this summer because of her transition to middle school. we are getting all the kinks out now, before school actually starts. she has some behaviors that are less than ideal that have cropped up this year with the onset of the pre-teen years. taking off shoes and other clothing items when angry, cussing, throwing things. all things that are especially less than ideal at school with her regular ed peers. what we decided to do is if any of that behavior cropped up, she gets no chances, a phone call to mom, a ride home with moms “prison warden voice”, and a lot of time in her room. we have only had to do it once. im crossing my fingers she got the point. for most kids getting to come home would be a reward, but for mckenna it is hell knowing where she is supposed to be, and not being there. (watch ill get a phone call before i finish this post)

since i didnt blog at all last week, i have to share some photos that my supahfriend lisa took while we were visiting. the boys had a sleepover at her house. and let me tell you, i know they have more fun than they know what to do with, because the car ride home from the pick up is full of “oh my gosh mom” “guess what” “and then we” “and lisa let us” …. lisa’s house is a little boys fantasy. snacks and juice boxes at the ready. video games, huge front and backyard to play in, and lots of fun activities. lisa is the mom who acts like the auntie. she is SO AWESOME with kids. all four of my kids love her to death. mckenna walks into her house and knows exactly where the snacks are, and lisa hooks her up with her own “little bag” and she goes to town. i love being at lisas house. she has this adorable little bungalow filled with her wonderful photos and her childrens art, surrounded by eucalyptus trees and gets this amazing breeze. my favorite part of days at her house is sitting out on the front porch at night drinking a beer or a coke in the cool breeze, with the windchimes chiming. talking. such a chill place that i always feel right at home in.

lisa was the paparazzi this time, i didnt bring my camera, so this is what she got on our day together, and the day after with just the boys.

these made me so so happy when she shared them with me. love seeing the boys in all their glory. video games, swimming, crawdad hunting, slip n slide. how could you get a more all american summer day but at lisas house?

(ps-OPAM is so not happening tomorrow either. last week was…interesting to say the least.)