Last week of summer vacation

Summer has just flown by this year. It seems to go quicker each year. Perry is back at school and we are doing our annual August child care juggle. The kids hate going to the Y day camp. They were lucky enough to have my parents come over last week. This week, my nephew Cliff is watching them again. They just love having Cliff over and he does a FANTASTIC job of watching them.

He can keep Carson in line and isn't afraid to show his authority.

And Elise has him wrapped around her little finger. (If you know anyone at his high school, don't spread this around, but...he even lets Elise do makeovers on him...but quickly washes it off!) He's part-fish like Elise so I suspect they'll spend much of their time in the pool.

We were going to have another nephew, Tyler, over as well. But...after he jumped into the pool, he started having an intense ear pain (this from the kid who has a sky high pain tolerance.) He assured me the ice cream cone would really help his ear on the ride back to his mom! :) Hope you are feeling better, buddy!

While we are only 9 days away from school, we STILL don't know who the kids' teachers are for the coming year. That is my only frustration with our school district. They literally wait until the last minute to announce teachers. They kids are so anxious to learn who their teacher will be and which friends will be in the same class. My hope is the letters will arrive tomorrow (Monday).

What a treat!

Our summer has been cruising along nicely so far, but we hit a childcare snag this week. Not wanting to go to the YMCA summer camp for the week, our nephew Cliff offered to watch my cherubs. Cliff is staying with us all week, doing odd jobs here and there for Perry and babysitting during those snags.

A little background....I adore my nieces and nephews, just love 'em. In fact, I held Tyler when he was a mere 5 minutes old and I cherish that memory.

Cliff and his older brother, Ralph, have only been my nephews for 3 years, so I don't have the baby burpin', diaper changing, lost my first tooth, Halloween costumes of old, type of memories for them. Great kids, just a different history.

In fact, I think this is the first time my kids have spent such a concentrated time alone with Cliff. I was a little worried about what it would be like with a 15 year old at our house for a week. Would I get any sleep? Would I have any non-grey hair left? Would there be food still in the fridge at the end of the week? Would Cliff go nuts with my 6 and 9 year olds?!? Would I be counting the moments until I could send him home? Would he be counting the moments until he could be released?!? You get the picture.

Let me just say...this has been such a pleasant week! The kids have gotten along great! Cliff is such a huge help...offering to do dishes each night, playing with the kids, offering to pitch in around the house, walking the dogs. My kids just adore having him over.

Hmmm...wonder how long I can keep him before his folks want him back?!? :)