Farewell Summertime!

It is hard to believe that we have already passed Labor Day, the official endmark of summer!  As usual, Vinnie and I made the most out of our precious time together this summer.  Knowing that another little one would be joining the ranks to steal some energy and attention, I wanted to make sure that we squeezed a lot of fun out of the time we had.  This was also our first summer to really enjoy our new home, town, and all that it had to offer.  And so, in the Keimig Family Blog tradition, I offer you Summer 2015 Top 10.

#10 - Games:
As we leave the toddler phase and approach the "big boy" phase with Vinnie, we have found the things he enjoys has entered phases as well.  Gone are the days when he was perfectly content sliding a care down a ramp time after time after time.  This fact provided me with quite the challenge this summer, as it became much harder to keep Vinnie entertained.  Until, however, we pulled out games.  From "Zingo" to "Shoots and Ladders" to his own version of chest, many mornings/afternoons/evenings were spent at the coffee table in the living room playing round after round of Vinnie's favorite game of the moment.  Now, if he could only get better at loosing...

#9 - Bike Rides on the "new road":
This past spring we lost the beautiful field and wild life behind our house.  It was devastating for all of us, especially Vinnie, wondering where the deer that once occupied the field were now going to live.  Vinnie's devastation, however was short-lived, as with the building of a new housing development in our once wild life sanctuary, came a new perfectly paved road.  This road brought so many possibilities to this child: alternate routes to and from our daily travels, but mostly, bike rides.  I'm not sure his bike can drive on any other part of our neighborhood...

#8 - The Library:

It isn't summer without regular trips to the library.  This is something I try every year to be better about during the school year, but fail miserably.  In any case, we really live it up at the library in the summer by visiting story time, finding a plethora of new books, and even this year enjoying a DVD or two.

#7 - Swimming:
Vinnie loved baths from day one.  He was in the water for swimming lessons before he turned one.  At one time we thought he was a little fish.  Then, last summer, something switched.  Fear set in, and suddenly Vinnie wasn't such a fan of the water.  Swimming lessons were torture, and time in a pool had Vinnie clinging to Jon or my neck, hanging on for dear life.  So, this summer, I decided we were going to focus on building up Vinnie's confidence and show him how much fun swimming can be.  We bought him special floaties, and just relaxed about swimming, no pushing, no lessons, just fun.  Over the 4th of July, a visit from a very special Auntie from Colorado, and just enough coaxing, and everything changed.  Vinnie went from hanging on for dear life, and crabby, to swimming on his own and giggling in the pool.  From that point on, he has once again loved the water, and eagerly jumps at any chance he gets to take a dip!

#6 - Travel:
Knowing that we had to stay close to home anticipating the arrival of baby #2 in late summertime, we crammed all our summer travel very early on, in the month of June.  In fact, just days after school let out we were headed to Grand Rapids, to enjoy a weekend at the cabin.  While there, we enjoyed beautiful weather, fishing, and great family company.  A little bit later in June, we headed to Nebraska for our last little vacation as a family of three.  We enjoyed time by the lake and swimming with extended family, visited Betty and Vic's beautiful new home, and squeezed in a trip to the zoo.  So much fun!

#5 - Berry Picking:
Having heard that this years weather would provide some of the best berry crops in years, we decided to take full advantage.  In early July, we enjoyed Strawberry picking, and all the delicious treats we were able to make with our pickings: strawberry pies and strawberry sauce.  Then, later in July, we ventured out to pick some blueberries, and enjoyed all the special treats we were able to make with those.  We even froze some berries, so we will be able to enjoy them well after summer has gone.

#4 - Music:
All of our summer adventures and travels meant we spent a lot of time in the car getting from one place to another.  Over time, I noticed Vinnie started taking an interest in what music was playing.  In time, he developed quite the opinion on what tunes we should be listening too, and even found a few favorites.  These favorites may or may not be deeply influenced by the music mom and dad enjoy as well...hey, all ears in the car must be happy, right?!?  Some favorites include: Raffi, O.A.R, "Super Hero", and "Shut Up and Dance."

#3 - Cinnamon Rolls:

Vinnie, like most children, has a very narrow view on what foods are enjoyable.  His list includes: macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, and...Cinnamon Rolls.  In the midst of all our summer adventures, we always squeezed in some quiet, lazy days at home, usually when the weather didn't allow for much else, and on those days, Vinnie and I would make and enjoy Cinnamon Rolls.  It was always a good way to start the day!

#2 -  T-Ball:

Days after Vinnie was born, I remember Jon and I passing time, watching baseball, with our new baby boy propped up in our arms, taking it all in.  As he grew older, he attended Kernels and now Twins games, and played baseball in the yard.  This summer, Vinnie got to live his dream.  With his very own jersey and hat, Vinnie was a member of the Lacrosse Loggers T-Ball team through Blaine Parks and Recreation.  Tuesdays and Thursdays, with the help of dad, Vinnie took to the field to swing the bat and field the ball.  He had the time of his life, and isn't too bad of a ball player too.

#1 - Thompson Patrick Keimig:
Seems kind of funny that the number one thing from our summer didn't even join us until the very end.  We did spend all summer preparing for him and anticipating him, often times becoming quite "frustrated" at the fact that he had not joined us yet.  Thompson is so loved by all of us, especially Vinnie, and his arrival has meant so much to us and filled all our hearts with love and joy.  I remember after Vinnie was born being so overwhelmed with love, thinking there was no way I could ever love anything more than this little human.  Well now I know that the love can be shared.  I feel love for Vinnie watching him be such helpful and caring big brother; hearing the sweet sing-song voice he uses when ever he talks to his "Thomps."  And I am utterly obsessed with a teeny-tiny little human once again, and don't even mind that he's taking all my sleep and has me busy and utterly exhausted in caring for him.

And there it is.  Another Summer Top 10.  Another summer over.  Now onto the crisp beauty that is fall!  I, for one, cannot wait!!!!