Dog days of summer

To make the most of our summer we are sure to make time for riding bikes, hanging out in the yard (what little bit we have), playing at the park and grilling out for dinner. The boys love to sit out back when Brad's grilling, so since Daddy's got his beer, I've gotta get them their root beer, and they have their little man time out back. Brady's part of this too, minus any of the drinks... he's still into milk these days.

Since starting my new job, life has been very busy. There just aren't enough hours at home in the evening to get squeeze in all the things you want to do. The tight ship I ran around here the past few months, has slipped a bit into a free for all. "Whats for supper?" is a common question these days... the menu no longer consists of Bruschetta stuffed Chicken with Petite Green Beans and Greek Salad. Rather Mac N' Cheese with Hot Dogs please. I don't really have the interest of preparing 4 course meals when I get home, and the family starts pulling on my pant legs within minutes of walking in the door... "I'm hungry Mommy...when are we gonna eat?... I want a snack, cuz I'm too hungry to wait." So I throw them a few bones (literally Scooby Snacks graham crackers shapped like dog biscuits) and they leave me alone, then Brad walks in the door and I sickem on him ;-)
Brad and I aren't the only ones working lik dogs each day... the boys have been coming home absolutely wipped out. In the short 5 minutes from daycare to home, its not uncommon for all 3 of them to doze off. Brady's no surprise... his carseat is the sleep machine. And Dylan and Riley are "too big for naps" at school so they play and play like animals all day long, so one could see how they are worn out. One day last week, Brad had picked them up from school and on the way home asked the usual how was your day, what was for lunch, who did you play with, etc, etc. Dylan was on firing back the answers with little breath in between... so excited to talk about his day with Daddy. But wanting to hear what Riley had to say, Brad singled him out and asked "Riley you're being quite, what did you do today?" and Dylan answered "Daddy, Riley can't tell you he's too busy sleeping" Most days their heads bob around and drool is running down the seat belt as we pull up to the house. Unfortunately those short cat naps, can lead to some nasty 'tudes when they get up. After all the cooking and cleaning its play time before more food prep (snacks, bottles) and cleaning (baths, laundry)... my goal is for all to crawl into bed with full tummies and clean toes.



Dylan and Riley are also gearing up for Hockey camp next month... The summer has put a little rust on their skills, so we're starting to take them to open skating to sharpen things up a bit before you put a stick and puck into the mix. Finally that gear Auntie Kim bought them for Christmas 2 years ago will fit!! They've been wearing their pads and helmets around the house this week...and it just so happenned that during one of their full gear parades around the house. a neighborh boy came to the door looking for them to play. When he say the 2 dressed in head to toe gear he was a little stunned and unsure. Dylan proceeded to though some Kung Fu moves at him, and with stick in hand Riley whacked his brother in the shins announcing, "Look it doesn't hurt!" I wonder what he went home and told his mom?