We’re busy packing and preparing for our upcoming move (2.5 weeks, yay!) so this long weekend we had to forgo our regular routine of going to the grandparents in favour of staying home and getting some stuff done. However we had some really nice BBQ dinners, and some fun times right in our own backyard.  The wee two spent lots of time running around in their bathing suits (or um, not… Oliver prefers to run around au naturel) and Jeff put up the tent for everyone to play and hang out in.  The older two are not so much into “playing” anymore but they enjoyed snacks and books and played along with their little brother and the dog. Although it was kind of busy from a grown up perspective, we also had some nice lazy time with the kids and with our own friends too. A perfect balance.

Like a lot of  bloggers, I’ve been busy with summer activities and outside enjoying the nice weather as much as possible, and not online as much.  Once we move next month and the kids are back to school, I’ll be back to a more regular blogging routine.  In the meantime, catch me here and there, as well as on my new site devoted to health living, PATHways.

And today I’m trying something new: I’m guest posting over at Lasting First Impressions, a great site that reviews games after one hour of gameplay. Hey, that’s all a busy woman like me has to devote to a game before deciding if it’s any good; I don’t have time to invest hoping it’s going to get better! I love Sean’s reviews for exactly that reason, and I’m happy to have to opportunity to contribute to his site.

To find out whether Dunegon Siege 3 impressed me or not, head on over to Lasting First Impressions and check out my first ever game review.

I borrowed a great idea from clever Jenn and had the kids make “summer lists” yesterday. It was a really fun activity (that filled nap time quite nicely, TYVM) and gives us all some things to look forward to this summer.

Three year old Oliver had some help, but wrote a few of the numbers and chose the stickers. He did his on construction paper, but the bigger kids were given poster board. My 8 year old did a mix of pictures and written items and my 10 year old in true Haden-style drew an elaborate set of images that contain his lists. He doesn’t ever colour, so it didn’t photograph that well, but i managed to capture some of the best parts. He drew the Xbox 360 dashboard, a DS, an iPod, an Xbox controller with chat pad and a Wii box. Since writing this post he has also done a DS game case, cut out and bound, with a summary of all the items. The handheld version, if you will.

I didn’t do an artsy craftsy list, but I did do some thinking about what I’d like to do this summer. Now I could make a list that reads “clean out walk in closet, paint baseboards”  - that would be true Maranda-style – but I decided to break out of my box a little and plan to do some things that are actually fun. Wish me luck!

So here, in no particular order, is my Summer List:

• Go to the drive-in (ok, we already did this once, but it wasn’t “summer” yet, good excuse to go again)
• Go for a grown up patio dinner at the Black Dog in Manotick
• Take the kids for ice cream at the old country store on the way to Smiths Falls
• Eat Greco’s pizza
• See a 3D movie in a theatre
• Sew something for myself
• Go to PAX!  I’ve got my tickets, can’t wait to attend!

So my list involves a lot of food, but that’s ok right?  Item number two involves leaving all four kids with a babysitter for the first time ever.  That will be a big deal for me, probably less so for them.  I think I’m ready?  I know I’m ready to eat out somewhere with real napkins and where they don’t give you crayons for your place mat.

We’re all looking forward to crossing things off our lists, big and small.  What’s on your list this summer?

Everywhere I turn I see status updates and convos of moms who are dreading summer break.  ”Oh no, only two more days of school!” “Oh no, the kids are going to be home all day!” and even though I’m sure some of them are half in jest, it makes me a little sad.  Personally I can’t wait for summer break.  Yes it will be busy, and yes it will be loud, but I love having the kids home every day.  Here are some great reasons why I am SO GLAD to see the end of school!

1. No more morning rush No more hectic mornings making sure everyone is up, fed, dressed, packed up and out the door by 7:40 a.m.  No more chasing, checking, yelling, mini lecturing, reminding, repeating, broken record-ing rush-rush-rush-ing five days a week.  For the next two months, I’m starting my mornings in a calm, leisurely fashion.  Perhaps even with a hot cup of coffee.  It’s possible.
2. No more homework The best reason of all, and the biggest reason we’re ALL looking forward to summer break – no more homework!  No more nightly battles, no more kitchen table covered in photocopies and duo-tangs, no more school work sucking up precious family time.  We can now spend the time between after work and bedtime together.  Amazing!
3. Extra hands around the house Yes, I will be making more meals and snacks (well sort of, more at once anyway), coming up with more activities and subject to a whole lot more noise, but in return I get two more sets of hands to pick up the baby, unload the dishwasher and go get the mail.  My boys are super helpful and love to play with their younger siblings.  Even just having my 8 year old around to play cars with the toddlers takes a bit of a load of me.   Sometimes they’ll even make me a cup of tea!  It’s wonderful.
4. Companionship This might not apply to everyone, but I work at home 10 hours a day, and having the older kids around gives me someone to talk to.  No, they’re not adults but they’re old enough now to talk about things that interest all of us.  Or to laugh with me when one of the little kids does something funny.  Or to say “It’s okay” and give me a hug if I’m having a bad day.  It’s something that I’m missing on a daily basis, and I’m really looking forward to having their company all summer.
5. More family time Without homework sucking up most of our free week night time, and with the boys able to get their chores (and some of mine) out of the way during the day, we’re going to have a whole lot more family time on a regular basis.  Throw in a few long week-ends and some vacation days, and we’re able to do all the things we don’t have time for during the school year.  Outings, activities… heck, maybe even a walk around the block after dinner!

So I’m just as excited as the kids for today to come to an end, for them to come home from school for the last time for two months, and for our exciting summer to begin.   Although today, I am totally going to enjoy one last quiet nap time… while I can.