Bikes & Trikes

This weekend Clark decided that he NEEDED a bike with pedals. He had a balance bike but really didn't like it - and at summer camp they get to ride tricycles nearly every day, which he loves. When he first asked for a bike with pedals, I thought he meant a 2-wheeler. Truth is, Aurora's bike should be the perfect size for him and it's been our plan all along to hand it down when she's ready for something bigger. She was into that plan until I told her there wouldn't be training wheels on her next bike... regardless, we asked Clark to try her bike and he could not propel it forward. He's too light to pedal! So, we looked all over for a bike or a trike that would fit him without breaking the bank, and ended up finding an awesome Schwinn tricycle on craigslist. We met up with the sellers at Starbucks and could not be happier with our $25 purchase.

Aurora really thinks she needs training wheels on her bike and floaties in the pool, but I'm hoping she can spend enough time riding and swimming this summer to give them up. While the new trike (and the trip to Starbucks) were VERY exciting, the most exciting thing to happen today was when Grandma, Grandpa and Finley came over!!!

They're going to be spending a lot of time with the kiddos in the coming months and I hope they aren't already regretting that decision. The kids were the perfect combination of over-tired (Aurora had a sleepover last night) and thrilled out of their minds, which quickly led to total chaos and meltdowns. We have another week of summer camp and a long weekend before mom and dad are on duty, and I think they'll be able to settle down by then. Thank goodness Finley's so calm!

Daddies

Today my mom posted this on Facebook - a picture from nearly 60 years ago, when nobody could've imagined a world where we share our thoughts, feelings, memories and daily lives with each other online. I asked my kids if they knew who it was and they had no idea.

Then my brother texted me this picture from about 35 years ago - a time when mobile devices only existed in science fiction. I showed it to my kids and they had no idea who it was. I asked Aurora to do the math... if it was 35 years ago, who was that little girl? And who would her daddy be? When she finally figured it out, Clark said "That can't be Grandpa Slane. It must be Uncle Slane!"

We celebrated Father's Day by taking Chuck to see Finding Dory and bought him a Finding Dory video game. It's amazing how technology has changed, but one thing remains the same; little girls (and boys) love their daddies! And we've had some good ones in this family.

In keeping with tradition, we also asked Clark a few questions about his daddy. I wonder how we all would've filled these out when we were young. If only people carried little cameras in their back pockets all those decades ago...

Wishing a very happy Father's Day to all the daddies in our lives. We love and miss you!

Silly Monkeys

We had such a busy weekend that I don't know where to start. There was a work event with Aurora, a birthday party with the whole family, a Bachelorette party with girlfriends, a day at the movies and more. I've been splurging and eating junk food while taking a little break from running due to some minor back pain and the nearly unbearable heat of summer. This weekend was packed with fun and memorable experiences, and yet, I only have one picture to share.

I feel like I spent a lot of time this weekend telling my friends the difference between Aurora and Clark. Aurora has always been good and sweet and easy. She wants to learn the rules and follow them. She's creative and helpful. Clark just wants his way, and if that means refusing to eat his food, spoiling other people's fun and making us all crazy, so be it! And yet, all of the celebrating - birthdays, weddings, life - this is what it's all about. I love both of these silly monkeys through and through. Even when they're moping because the world isn't going their way...

Routine

The kid's have been settling in to their summer routine, which has basically been no routine! They hung out with Grandma Nancy at home for a few days this week before she headed back to AZ. Clark's been telling me how much he liked being with his Grandma and I know he appreciated the unstructured time at home. We don't get a lot of that in our lives. I remember childhood summers spent playing with neighbors, riding bikes, coloring and watching Saturday morning cartoons - before you could watch cartoons on demand, on any screen. Sometimes I worry that we're structuring their lives too much, but it takes them awhile to settle into unstructured days so having a few things on the calendar is always a good thing. This weekend our only scheduled activities were a Home Depot workshop and summer kid's club movie at the Alamo Drafthouse.

Tomorrow they both start Summer Blast, a day camp run by Aurora's after school program. Aurora is SO excited and I'm sure Clark will have a good time. His teacher sent this picture on the last day of school and I know a few of his classmates will be there.

They'll be in Summer Blast for 7-weeks and I'm sure they'll both make new friends and have a good time. Their summer schedule will be a little like school, but with later and more relaxed mornings, which is a routine I think we'll all enjoy...