What have I done?

So I mentioned in an earlier post that I was "scheduling" my summer. I am now having second thoughts about that. This week was exhausting and I don't think the kids are appreciative and I think I may be overdoing it. This week we had swim lessons and guitar lessons on Monday, play date on Tuesday, Swim lessons and my niece Paige was with us all day on Wednesday, swimming lessons and church meeting Thursday Morning followed by an all day play date. Friday we got up early and went to chocolate world, came home and went grocery shopping and fed the elders. I'm tired.

However, I am grateful that I had the chance to spend time with my nieces and wonderful sister in law this week. Did I mention that they are moving here? Yay!!!!! They won't be here permanently until August but I will be spending a week in South Carolina with them before they move here! Yay Again!!!! I am hoping we will be on the beach every day!

This week is another busy one, but at least swim lessons are over for awhile. Guitar, Mom Mom's birthday, the Philly Zoo and dinner with Uncle Ryan on Tuesday, free movie and play date on Wednesday (and I'm hosting a crafting party that night for church). Play date on Thursday... Friday is clear except for feeding the elders. Hopefully, we'll be able to get in sometime with Alexandria and Paige and Kimberly!

Do you really need to know my entire schedule? Probably not, but I though I'd share anyway!

In other news... I haven't been able to get any work done this week. Maybe today. I am working on this story about a Bed and Breakfast that has Bison, texas longhorns, elk and my personal favorite, a scottish highland. I think it's for the money section again.

I am attempting to potty-train Caroline. She is very interested but apparently has no alarm system yet. I can catch her when she is doing number two (she makes certain noises... wink, wink) but number one always seems to be a surprise to her! She is growing so fast. It's time to take away the bo-bo (pacifier) but I just haven't been able to bring myself to do it! When I put her to bed without it she cries so hard that she makes herself sick. Gross. Any tips?

Bash is doing OK with his guitar lessons. He is using my Dad's guitar which is huge and making it difficult for him to reach his fingers around it to hit all the frets. We told him if he keeps it up through the summer and does well he will get a new guitar (a size-appropriate one) in the fall. Actually, a normal size guitar is a good fit for Bash. It's just that my Dad's guitar is a JUMBO! Bash has his own blog so he can comment on grandma's blog. Fun!

Parker is a very good swimmer and enjoys his lessons and any pool time immensely. It's hilarious to watch him swimming around with a huge smile on his face! He's super excited for preschool. He already knows the teacher and the school so I'm hoping we won't have too much adjusting to make. Parker is the kind of person who has a "comfort zone" and he sort of clams up when he gets out of it. We'll see!

Jenny will be home soon (end of July) and we are all excited to see her. We have missed her so much! We have been skyping a lot so the kids definitely don't forget her!

We have had a fun time hanging out at Mom-Mom's house. The kids are getting more and more comfortable and safe around the pool. Hopefully, we can visit with Mom-Mom at least once a week this summer.

I decided on July 1 to start reading the book of Mormon in a month. I got so much out of it last year when I did this. I am actually really excited to get started!

Todd has been working faithfully in the garden and it looks amazing! I am so proud of him. He really has a green thumb. I think he gets this from his parents. They have an amazing garden too! Bash also loves spending time with his daddy in the garden. It shouldn't be too much longer until we actually see the fruits of Todd's labor! Todd is excited about his California trip. He will be able to see all but one of his brothers.

We camped in the backyard as a family this week. Let's just say I wasn't suicidal in the morning but it wasn't the best night's sleep I've ever gotten. Todd sort of roped me into it. ("hey boys, don't you think Mommy should camp out here with us, too?")

We are planning to go to California next year. (I really want to see Casey and Aly's new baby!). And we are hoping Mom and Dad Scott will be visiting us this fall (hint hint)!

Don't forget that next September will be Bash's baptism... start planning now family!

Love you all!
OXOXO
Amanda

And now I'm getting paid for it!

Something you probably already know about me is that I am writer. I feel like I was born to write. The seven years or so since I started having kids has been a break from writing and I have missed it terribly. Only I didn't know how much I missed it until I started doing it again! I lost confidence in my talent.

A few months ago I decided to give freelancing a try. I was shaky and nervous about it but I updated my resume (read: I have been home for the last six and a half years raising my children and growing my butt) and found some of my old writing samples and, with a prayer I sent it to our local newspaper's features editor. Turns out my ten-year old writing samples from college did not impress so I had to prove myself with an "audition" of sorts.

Ta da!! I guess I've still got it! Yesterday I was brought on board officially as a freelance writer! To quote my editor, "The pay is lousy" but I am now a professional writer! Todd and I talked about it and we both know I'm not doing for the money, but because this has been a life-long dream of mine! The most wonderful part is that I get to stay home with my kids but still feel fulfilled by having a career!

I wanted to share this with you, my friends and family because I know you will be happy for me! Hopefully I'll be able to post a link to my first feature on Sunday, June 20!

Love to you all!

Amanda Grossman-Scott (my freelancing name)

Summer Plans

"That beautiful season the summer!

Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light;

and the landscape

Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood."

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The fireflies are back. We always called them "lightning bugs" when I was a kid. Beautiful. the boys watch them out their windows at night. These are the only bugs I like here in Pennsylvania.



I love the way my kids smell in the summertime. It's a mixture of sunscreen and grass and dirt. But they are happy and free. I am finally starting to relax about letting them get dirty.

Of course I couldn't let the summer begin without making plans to make sure the kids won't be sitting around all summer.

A sample week goes something like this:

Monday: Bash's Summer reading Program at the library, Parker swim lessons, Bash guitar lessons.
Tuesday: Free movie at the theater, Caroline's Summer Library program, Parker swim lessons
Wednesday: Parker's Summer Library Program, Swim Lessons, Bash Art Class
Thursday: Science Program for Bash and Park, Tiny Tots Tumbling for Caroline.
Friday: Slow Day! Just Swim Lessons and probably the sprinkler park.

On top of this bash has Art Camp and Soccer camp for two full weeks!

In other news, Todd is going to California for a week in July where he will attend two Giants games with his family. I am going to miss him so much and am a little jealous that he gets his very own vacation but he totally deserves it!

While he is gone I think the kids and I will go to the Hill Cumorah Pageant in Palmyra. We loved it last year. Also, if we can stand it, I would love to visit Kirtland too.

I would also like to go to the beach and we are trying to plan a camping trip. This summer is getting expensive!

In still other news, I am officially freelance writing for our local paper and local magazine. This is a life-long goal and I hope to keep busy but not too busy, because my full time "gig" is still being a Mom!

Caroline had a wonderful tea party birthday party. And Bash has just finished Kindergarten. Parker got into the preschool we wanted him to (the same school Bash attended), so he is very excited.

Now you are updated!

oxoxo Amanda