a week of highs and lows.

Summer week 1. It's been...well...so many emotions. We've checked a few things off our bucket list, started summer camp, adjusted to a different schedule and dealt with one of the worst viruses we've had in a long, long time.

It all started off so well! The first day of summer vacation I took the kids berry picking. I've really lowered my expectations when it comes to these types of things because I never know how long they'll be interested, how many plants the toddler will destroy or how many berries we'll actually bring home. But they all amazed me. They each ate 2 strawberries just to be sure they were sweet and delicious and then spent an hour picking the rest to bring home! Even Simon helped and we ended up with over 12 lbs to process and freeze for the rest of the year. 

 Later that afternoon the kids wanted to go bowling so we took advantage of our free summer bowling program. Again, low expectations. And while Simon may have accidentally rolled his ball into the other lane 3 times and Lucy won the record for slowest roll we all had so much fun!

 Lucy got to attend one of her best friends' birthday parties at a local toy store. They made slime, had face painting, coloring and delicious snacks. Speaking of birthday parties, between the 3 kids (yes, Simon is getting his own invites now!) we have at least 1/2 dozen parties a month now. Kids are loving it and I'm adjusting to the drop offs and pick up schedule each weekend.

 While Lucy was at the party Carter took a turn for the worst. He woke up that day not feeling great and then felt awful. High fever (103 for 6 days!), no energy, sore throat, headache, sinus pressure, body aches....everything! Poor guy. Not the way to spend summer vacation and definitely changed our plans. I took Lucy and Simon out for a morning date so Carter could have a quiet house to relax. They loved playing at the new Arena Sports new our house.

 And we came home to this. Gosh, it's so hard to see your kids sick and know there isn't a whole lot you can do but keep them comfortable.

I tried to make the best of it, get outside when we could and enjoy the little bit of sun we had. Then, the busy week began. Kids started summer camp (minus Carter for the first 2 days), swim lessons began and another week of t-ball. I just love where we go for swim lessons. Outdoor pool, great instructors, small classes and the kids have so much fun.

 The middle of the week brought an unending fever, lots of doctors appointments and..my birthday. It really wasn't a great day and sort of an afterthought. The kids didn't even realize it was my birthday until 2 days after it passed. We left early in the morning to drive to Seattle for an eye appt, followed up with our typical donut stop afterwards and then headed back to the pediatrician for Carter. He's smiling with his donut but really, he was still feeling miserable. Luckily, it was just an awful virus that eventually ran its course and luckily the bad birthday and fever are both a thing of the past!

 The lows of the week were over and I decided to make the best of it by baking. Healthy zucchini muffins and sugar filled s'mores cupcakes. Because....balance!

 Friday night we skipped our usual family movie night for a family picnic dinner. Carter had been wanting to return to the local wetlands where he went on a field trip to show the rest of us how cool it was. And everyone loved it. Lots of animals to see, trees to climb and grass to run in. And a simple dinner made for the perfect night. All the kids loved this and we can't wait to do it again.

 And yesterday we re-did my birthday by taking a trip to the local farmer's market in the morning and a date night in the evening. We wandered through the local shops before buying some berries and snacks from the street vendors. One of my favorite summer traditions and such a great lesson in supporting local.

 And then, date night! We went out to a delicious dinner and spent 3 hours just catching up. It was a crazy week for Matt at work and we hardly saw the guy. Having a little adult time was just what we both needed.

Here's hoping for a sunny, healthy, wonderful week 2 of summer vacation!