Summer Stuff

First, an item of business.

One2One Networks recently sent me a box of Newton's Cranberry Citrus Oat Fruit Thins to try for free.

Boy howdy, am I glad they did. They are these deliciously thin and crispy cookies that are so full of "good for you" flavor. That totally sounds like a tagline they asked me to type, but it's not. I made it up cause it's how I feel. Honest to goodness. My kids loved them, my husband loved them, and I could not keep my hands off these things. They aren't at all like regular Fig Newtons. While they are full of fruit flavor, it's all mixed in with baked cookie goodness - no squishy fillings to be found. They almost seemed like they would be an appropriate breakfast cookie. Not too sweet or overpowering, but just sweet enough. It's definitely not the kind of cookie that I'd want to have as dessert. There really isn't anything rich or decadent about it. But they make a great snack. You should try them. I bet you'll like them. And that's all I have to say about that.

In other news, my kids have two more days of school. Well, really one more day of school because the principal has all but begged us to keep our kids home on Friday, just coming in to pick up report cards. I'm absolutely fine with that. Summer with five kids is hard work, but I'm still excited to have them home. Not so much for the noise and chaos that will inevitably ensue, but for the lack of structure and the blissful nothingness that will occupy much of our days. I'm not one to over plan my summer. I love sleeping in a little, eating late breakfasts, snacking through lunches and letting the kids lounge their days away reading books, playing games, and playing outside.

We have a pretty strict anti-boredom policy at our house. The kids are absolutely welcome to feel bored, but if I hear about it, they have to do house work. You're bored? Really? Here's the toilet brush. Go get started. See, I KNOW my kids are capable of playing and entertaining themselves. They have over an acre of woods and space to romp and play and get dirty. They have a trampoline. They have piles of books. They have toys and games and they have each other. Am I there for them? Absolutely. Do I love them? Of course. Will I play with them? Every day. But I'm not a cruise director and I have no intention of filling their days with sparkly fun  and entertainment.

My three oldest kids are on the summer swim team this year. We've already started practice and I'm thrilled at how much they love it. And with how tired it makes them. Bedtime has been a breeze the past two weeks. Exercise is good for the soul, I think. Especially exercise in water.

I'm also excited about this summer because my triathlon will be over. Don't get me wrong. I'm totally excited about this race. (It's Saturday. THIS. FLIPPIN. SATURDAY.) But I've been working out for 90 minutes, four to five times a week for the past six months. It's time for a break. And, it's time for me to focus on other areas of self improvement.

It's time for me to stay up late and write and then sleep in late to make up for it. It's time for me to work on book revisions. It's time for me to start my next manuscript. This summer? It's going to be a summer of words.  My words. I feel them in my bones and it is TIME to get them out.

And finally...

Have you heard the new Coldplay song? I'm SO flippin excited about their new album coming out soon... fall-ish I think? Have a listen...