This past weekend we spent our time at a cottage with the kids and Brenda and Brian. It was loads of fun for the kids, and us too, as they jumped and splashed, canoed and paddled the paddleboats around the lake. It was nice to just get away from home for a couple of days and feel no guilt about lounging around and spending time just letting the kids explore the fun nature can bring. We brought Chloe with us this year and I think I enjoyed watching her 10 year old, overweight, under exercised black lab body trying to swim like a young pup again almost more than anything else this weekend. Let's just say she was pretty tired on the trip home! Now we're back to the daily grind of life with 4 kids and responsibilities and I guess that's alright too! There's nothing too out of the ordinary happening this week and I like that just fine. The weather has cooled down a bit which is nice. Makes it a bit more comfortable for everyone. I am thoroughly enjoying life right now. Nick's birthday is the next big day coming up for our family. He will be 7 this August and his big wish was to have a friend party for the first time. We have booked a party room at a party place nearby that has tunnels, slides, ball pits, laser tag, and pizza and cake! He is definitely excited about it. I am too. I love seeing them happy and getting a sneak peek into how they interact with their friends from school! So far we have only had one friend respond out of 6 so it may be a small party. That's the worst part about having a summer birthday! Holidays tend to take up peoples weekends! I am sure Nick will have fun no matter how many are able to come with us. That is for sure one bonus of having 3 siblings. You can make a party even if no one else shows up!! :)