Splash Parks

We have been to a lot of splash parks this summer. And why not...they are free, and they make the kids tired...every parents dream! Addie however has not been excited about actually going in the water. She loves pools and swimming but for some reason would not go near water at a splash park...until yesterday. Girlfriend was running through the water or hours. And here is one of my favorite pictures of her!

Family time

With me working late afternoons/early evenings and rob working during the day we havent had a lot of time for family activites. But the past coupld weekends we were able to sneak a few fun times in between the splash pad and the aboretum. Here are a couple pics from our family time!

good old summer days

Heres what we have been up to this summer...besides lots of pool days! and busy days make this happen Overall we have been enjoying being outside as much as possible but it does cause some cranky and tired kids by the end of the day!

Parenting Styles

I have many friends who are also mothers and we all have our own way of being parents. Some of us like Rob and I are very laid back parents. We want our kids to grow up and be independent. We let them try new things while we watch, we let them explore, we let them know that they can think for themselves although what they think is best might not be what we decide to let them do. If they fall and scrap a knee we tell them to brush it off and that they are okay. I have friends who are not as laid back as we are. They might be in some aspects but not in all aspects. I also have friends that coddle their kids. I have friends that are "helicopter parents" and hoove rover their kids all the time. But those are parenting styles that work for them, just like our style works for us. And I am sure that people have their comments about my kids or my way of parenting just like I have made comments about other people. But when it comes down to it shouldnt we all just be supporting eachother. We are all moms and the one thing we all have in common is that we want the best for our kids. We just have different ideas of how to get their. There is no hand book for parenting. We have all watched our parents and probably decided on things they did that we liked and things we would change. We also have different personalities that go into our parenting styles and our kids have different personalities that make our parenting choices what they are. But I think we could also learn from eachother. I think we could take ideas and styles and blend them to make ourselves even better. I think I am a pretty good mom but I am sure that I could be better. I think every mom has days when they think they could have done better and maybe the way to start is to stop critizing everyone elses way and actually try to take something from it.

Hello summer

Summer has arrived and we have been living it up. Alex is in summer school which he started last week. Our school district offers it for free and it is four times a week plus free breakfast and lunch everyday...and I love free. He is enjoying it and hanging with his friends. My work schedule has changed as well so I will be home during the days and working in the late afternoon/evening which gives me more time with the kids. I also have fridays off which means we will be heading to the pool A LOT! Last friday the boys and i met up with Alexs girlfriend Olivia and spent the whole afternoon at the pool. Needless to say I had some tired kids...ach was passed out by 515 and slept through the night. Here are a few pictures from last Friday.

Wedding!

Last weekend my best friend got married!!!! I was the matron of honor and overall it was a great wedding! Lots of drinking, food, dancing, drinking and a little more drinking! Here are a couple pictures from the wedding and proof that every once in awhile I do wear a dress! Heres one of the bride and me! Best friends since we were 14!!! And one of Kelly, Sarah and I!!! Like i said great wedding. A few mishaps with some flowers and her dad being a idiot but overall everyone had a lot of fun! I cant wait to see all the pictures when they get the proofs back and I hope they had fun on their honeymoon! Out of all the weddings we have been too I will rate it in the top 3 ( not including our own)