Summer! I think?

I often have to remind myself that Washington is known as "the land of the liquid sun". It's not a joke. The past week has been gorgeous and sunny, but the rain is back this evening, and will be with us through the day tomorrow, HOPEFULLY clearing up before the big 4th of July weekend! (*knock on wood* *throw salt over my shoulder*)

I've taken the kids outdoors every day that the sun has been out. We've gone for walks around the lake, walks to the library, walks to the park. Just about anything within walking distance we've walked to. :p It's one of the things I love about my neighborhood: how *walkable* it is! There are walking trails and tree-lined streets (BIG trees too - not just dinky little ones infront of new-construction houses - trees that were planted when my grandparents were kids!), lots of parks, and lots of fun destinations. It's easy to be active, when the weather permits.

Homeschooling with Raia is off to a slow start. We're only doing the subjects of Seminary, Math, Reading, and occasionally Writting, and it's about all I want to do about now. And it's because of the sunshine. With how rare this gorgeous, sunny weather is, I don't want to keep my daughter cooped up inside doing school work! I want her outside stretching her legs and practicing her jump rope. There'll be plenty of time in the Fall and Winter when the subjects of History and Science and Grammer will be welcome time-fillers when it's raining for the umpteenth day in a row.

This weekend is 4th of July, which means the Go Fourth festival at the lake by our house. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this festival! There's a parade, a flea market, food booths, live bands, giant blow-up slides and bounce houses, a petting zoo, and lots and lots of people. I'm an odd-ball who enjoys crowds and being in the middle of a throng of people all out to have fun. I love it when we show up to the beach or the zoo or a restraunt when it's crowded. To me, a "good time" doesn't occur in silent isolation. The more the merrier! :) (and I know how crazy I am to feel that way, but I always have!)

This weekend is also Errol's 4th birthday! My little Independence Day baby. I cannot believe it's been 4 years already. He's growing up too fast. :( He's starting to be more "boy" than "toddler" lately, particularly in the "potty humor" department. He loves farts and belches. He also loves getting dirty. He is 100% boy through and through. He's my special little mini man. And he gets a big fireworks show on his birthday! How cool is that? :D