SUMMER FUN LIST

E and I sat down to review her Summer Fun List. We wanted to see what was left to check off before going back to school. This list shows the true innocence of children. It really comes back to the simple things in life.

E was thrilled on what she had accomplished!

1. Ride Bikes- we do that almost every day if it isn't raining, which has been a lot.

2. Watch Butterflies- we were able to see an exhibit in York.

3. Pick Flowers- We pick wild flowers on our walks. E loves to give me bouquets of dandelions:)

4. Hug my Mommy and sister- E has no problem with this. But when it has rained for the 10 days in a row, the hugs were not there:)
5. Go to Boston- Not yet, but it's in the works!

6. Grammy's House- Grammy always comes to us, but we haven't made it out there yet. We will go soon:)

7. Beach- We have had a great Beach Summer, despite the weather. I grew up with lakes so it's different for me. I'm going to have to learn to love the sand, because I have two beach babies.

8. Have playdates with friends- We have had no problem meeting up with our friends and making new ones this summer.

9. Hug and Love- See #4

10. Davisfarmland- I think we are there at least 2 times a week. C actually recognizes Moo Moo now (their mascot).

11. Join reading program at the Library- The reading program at the Library started on June 20th. E has always loved books read, and looking at books on her own. The reading program is just a good way to encourage reading.
12. Go to the Park- We have tried out a lot of new parks this year! E always finds a buddy, and I chase C. Next Summer I think I will be able to sit back and sip my lemonade and just watch LOL:)
13. Pretending- E is always had a wonderful imagination. All the playtime has only made it better!
14. Go to an Art Museum- Not yet, any suggestions on a great one? Not to overwhelming.

15. Go to the zoo- We went to York Wild Kingdom while in York.

16. Go to a Farmers Market- Haven't done this yet, but will have this checked off soon!

17. Taking care of our family garden- Trying too...with all the rain our garden is struggling. We need sun!!

18. Eat Ice Cream- OF COURSE:)

19. Go to a party- We have been invited to several family parties, and BBQs. E is a social butterfly so she has definitely enjoyed this.

20. Go to Pump it UP- Not yet

21. Learn about animals- We spent a week on the beach exploring all the hermit crabs, and snails.

22. Ride a roller coaster- This may have to wait, but E did go on the Ferris wheel with both N and I.

23. Berry Picking- We went Blueberry Picking, and E picked more than she ate this year:)

24. Hang on trees- Does Monkey Bars count?

25. Run up and Down hills- To be a kid again:) E and C love doing this with each other.

26. Eating Desert for Dinner- Not yet, need to find the perfect time for this one!

27. Play nice, have fun, listen, and be kind- It's all good:)

Hope you enjoy her list. It's something I will always treasure. Summer is a time for memories. I'm lucky to be able to help make these memories, and share them as well.

Family Vacation making memories

Greetings from Seattle (AKA Massachusetts). There really hasn't been a summer this year. It's been wet, cold, or muggy. My garden is struggling the girls are restless, and I'm having a bad hair day SUMMER. N and I rented a house at the beach this year. This was our first Family Vacation. We were both getting a little nervous on how this was going to go if it rained the whole week. What do you do with two small kids? You could watch Disney movies until you throw up, or go to the mall. It doesn't sound much different from our daily routine LOL:) The week leading up to the big event it not only rained but there was microburst’s??? I was keeping a positive attitude though. The weather report was looking good for the upcoming week, and we know how weathermen are always right. To add to my list of concerns Thursday E wakes up saying her belly hurts. I think I blocked it out because I was also so busy packing. Friday comes along and E says she feels great, but not acting like herself. No fever and she hasn't thrown up. I gave my Ped a call and asked if I could get her checked out. I jump in the car Friday afternoon to take E to the doctor. This is where this story sounds like a movie. I'm driving along the girls are asleep, suddenly hear a bump. Yes it was a flat tire, the plot thickens.

I'm able to drive it to the Doctor so I can still get E checked out. Of course N is in a meeting and I'm unable to reach him. So I leave him a long winded message.

The good news is E gets a clean bill of health. Walking out to the parking lot N already has someone working on putting on the spare tire. Things are turning around...I think. I follow N to drop off my car for new tires. The girls were starving so we decide get dinner while waiting for my car. E seems to be feeling better, but I notice is still holding her belly. Well let's just say dinner was cut short. E did indeed have a stomach bug. I was preparing for a long night. Thankfully she made it through without another incident. We stuck to the BRAT diet hoping she would feel better for the drive.

Things are getting back on track but C is starting to act off. She won't eat lunch before we leave, and is fussy. We get to our rented beach house I'm starting to feel relaxed. The sun is shining and E is feeling much better. I pick C up as we are unpacking and she feels very warm. I wanted to think it was just teething, but I knew better. Soon after we toured our rented beach house C decided to christen it. She threw up all over the kitchen floor. The Poretsky's had a bumpy ride getting to our vacation, but we ended up having the best week. Not one rainy day, the girls both recovered, and parents survived. A good time was had by all.