Halfway there....

Fourth of July marks the middle of the summer here in Phoenix. We have only five weeks until Andrew starts kindergarten and Emily will start preschool the following week. The past few weeks have gone by so quickly. It has only been the last few days that the heat has really been bothering us. Its all relative, I guess, since May had a record number of days over 100degrees. But we had many days of overcast skies and even some rain mixed in there in May and June. Now suddenly its over 105degrees and a little humid and feels pretty stifling. Andrew has still been wanting to ride his bike so he and Tory will go out for 20 minutes early in the mornings. Its really too hot to go running outside now so we have moved most activities to the gym and the pool. The kids have down the routine of sunscreen and hats.

So where has the time gone? We have gone to the circus, zoo, science center, kids museum and most of the other area attractions. We swim at least once a day. Both kids have been doing swim lessons. We break out the slip-n-slide to mix it up a little. We've done lots of coloring, sidewalk chalk, games, movies and puzzles. We got a Wii. We have had lots of playdates and pooldates and barbeques with friends. And we have potty trained Emily (mostly, at least). All in all a successful first half to the summer.

Some pictures from the adventures:


The second half of summer will include a few weeks up in Washington visiting family and friends. The final week of swimming lessons is next week. And then when we get back from Washington we'll have a week to get ready for school.

We are pretty sure that we will be moving next summer and have no idea yet where that will be. But since July is "moving season" for Air Force doctors, the beginning of July also starts the countdown to moving and lots of "lasts". We went to friend's house yesterday for a barbeque and then met up with a group of people at the base for fireworks. Could be our last sweltering hot 4th of July. We are pretty deeply rooted in Arizona after five years. I already feel like its going to be hard with the all the "last time" activites as the next year unfolds. But such is life in the Air Force.... lots of lasts and first and unknowns, but lots of great friends and new adventures.

Happy 4th of July to everyone!