We are having a magical summer, damn it! Now stop crying...

Like I have said in the past, we have kind of gone 'cold turkey' on all the therapy and while I have tried to maintain some semblance of structure, it's just not the same. For the most part, I have succeeded in having fun filled days for bubs. I signed us up for some classes at a local farm, which were wonderful. On the days that we had nothing special planned, we kind of hung around the house in our pajamas, usually way too long. We watched way too much TV and we ate way too many snacks. I have to admit, I kind of enjoyed it, but in a guilty sort of way. By Thursday I had had enough though and I decided it was time for some projects.

The art teacher in me has laid dormant for a while. It's tough to do projects with my self directed boy. I have nothing but the utmost respect for any parent that home schools, but I think it would be disastrous for us here. I bit the bullet though and found some very cool projects on this website. It's tough being an anal retentive art teacher, it really is. It's a constant battle with markers with no caps vs. the wonder that is the creative spirit. I have gotten worse since staying home. All that data taking took it's toll on me I guess.

I painstakingly laid out the materials, and did a quick task analysis of the steps involved in each project. We did them outside, I also need to mention that my son hates being outside, especially when it's hot out (he inherited that from me, I was a bookworm who easily preferred a rainy day at age 4). I thought we could have one of those fun 'creative fun earthy momma' kind of afternoons, with plenty of laughs, paint and sidewalk chalk along with lots of happy summer memories. There is a plethora of amazing mom/craft/magical childhood experience blogs out there which I don't recommend anyone visit, unless they want to feel like a big huge failure.

Bubs was psyched for his afternoon of craftiness, but he wasn't prepared for my gestapo type tactics. In all fairness to me, he is a giant scutch (I don't know how to spell that word) and when I was trying to explain to him how to do this project, he just picked up a sharpie and started making random dots all over his shirt. When I nicely tried to explain that he had to wait for me to show him what to do, all hell broke loose. So after some major hemming and hawing and at least 15 minutes of crying we went inside for a breather. I was really disappointed that our happy summer memories seemed to be morphing into mommie dearest art project time.

Thankfully though, after our meltdown and subsequent recovery time, we started over, and came out and actually had fun. I am also very thankful that camp starts tomorrow. It's just a little three hour YMCA program three times a week, but I think we are both going to enjoy the time.

The gifts of summer - and a belated 100th post giveaway extravaganza

I am always amazed when I can grow something, be it plant, mold or child. Amazed! These little beauties are plucked right from my beautiful raspberry patch (that sounds better than bush, don't you think?). Heavenly!

I think it's time to put the crapola aside and enjoy a little summer. We were supposed to be on vacation right now, but bubs got sick on Sunday night (old man coxsackie knocked upon our door). I called the resort where we were going (in Pennsylvania) and they were kind enough to let me reschedule for this Thursday, so we did not lose our deposit, or our much needed family time. Bubs is feelin better, knock on wood, he is going on a little mini overnighter trip with his dad to the north fork of long island tomorrow night, and then Thursday we will be off. I even borrowed my parents gps thingie so I will be able to find a Panera bread there (just kidding about that, it's so my husband doesn't get angry when he misses his exit on the Pennsylvania turnpike). I cannot wait for some Amish love! Apple butter anyone?

I also want to celebrate my 100th post, about six posts later. I really wanted to do a giveaway for my wonderful bloggy friends. Apparently this is the way they do it on the craft blogs, and I have been reading them like crazy lately! So here it goes, if you want to win this box of goodness which includes; a raspberry zippy pouch for you to store all of your summer lip glosses, a tissue cozy in my summertime scoops pattern (reminds me of ice cream), my all time new favorite clothespin holder to make drying your clothes on the line even sweeter, and a couple of little raspberry button magnets- all you have to do is leave me a comment. I know there are a few lurkers here so please don't be shy. I will check back on Monday and pick a winner!!! Have a wonderful fourth of July!!!!!

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