We are two weeks into summer and have been going nonstop. Thankfully, we have a quiet week ahead with no camps or swim lessons. Z is hard at work this morning painting super heroes and the big kids are having some movie time interspersed with a lot of chores. Lucky for me, they are happy to be helping around the house because it means they are earning rewards. The promise of ice cream or a trip to Chuck E Cheese means I suddenly have kids who want to clean bathrooms, fold laundry, sweep, vacuum, and pick up after themselves. I think I may be a genius.

Z and A finished up two weeks of swim lessons last Thursday. They both did fantastic and got promoted to the next levels. A was especially thrilled to earn her swim license (meaning she can swim by herself at the pool now) and to jump off the high dive. Z has no fear of the water and his favorite part of class is jumping off the edge. Whether or not his teacher is watching, unfortunately.

Saturday we woke up early and headed to the annual Rotary rummage sale and auction. When the ropes dropped we all raced to get everything on our lists. A headed to the piles of skates and scored a pair of rollerblades for $3. J and I headed to the sports room where he found a lacrosse helmet and shoulder pads for $18. He then found a couple Nerf guns for $1 each. Needless to say, he was a happy boy. Z found a big boy bike and some new Hot Wheels. Mr. D found a hedge trimmer and leaf blower for the yard. Then we fought our way through the piles of tables in the gym and came away with a couple bagfuls of books. Nothing is as exciting and exhausting as Rotary. We love it.