Long Time No See

So it's been a super long time since I've posted. Yes it has. Now I'm supposed to give some excuse about why but I don't really have one. I've wanted to do other things that update. Silly I know, but we've been doing our same old routine. The kids are out of school for the summer and driving me batty. I never thought I'd be one of those moms that dread summer and look forward to sending my kids back to school, and in some ways I'm not. I love having them home with me, when they aren't fighting, whining or vandalizing the house. It's been super hot the last week (as it has been lots of different places across the country), but it's even too hot to go swimming. And the park is definitely out of the question.

Beth is doing great. She had a two week stay in Hickory with Grandma and her cousin Chloe. They had lots of fun. Beth came back super tan, since I think she went swimming just about every day. She's learning that it's easier to just do what is asked rather than pitching a fit about it this summer. This is a good thing, although it can very grating when she is in the middle of learning this truth. This summer she "moved out." She sent me a letter telling me she was running away. And then pasted a sign on her door with our house number and the letter B after it. She happily posted one on the boys room with the letter C on it. Conveniently she doesn't have to follow our rules when she is living in her own place. She's had lots of play dates with friends, and has started to become a big help around the house when she wants to.

Caleb and Jacob stayed home with me, while Beth was at Grandma's. They went to a day camp here. And were the rabble rousers of the entire thing. Lots of crafts. Their favorite day was bug day. Caleb has shown a determination to get things done. He is doing his summer workbook faithfully in the hopes of either earning a double Bey Blade pack or a kid guitar. I think he'll decide once he gets there. He doesn't like the workbook, but he understands the reward at the end of it. He has built several elaborate roller coasters this summer. And he battles with his Bey Blades. He likes the show (which he discovered on the Roku). He has such a soft heart, and he tries to protects his brother and sister whenever he sees them getting into trouble.

Jacob has been busy acting as an artist this month. Unfortunately he has decorated our stairs with green crayon (it comes out with WD-40 and dish soap) and today our carpet with purple marker (so far the rubbing alcohol has not done the trick as recommended by Crayola's helpful website). Jacob has acquired a new skill set which includes reading your mind and using the spell "Wingardium Leviosa". He likes to wake me up in the morning by standing two inches from my face and whispering "Mom, it's Jacob. It's morning. I'm awake, come downstairs with me." He is our early riser this summer. (Beth will sleep as late as I'll let her.) He loves doing his workbook pages and is flying through with very little help from me. This means that he'll be very ready for kindergarten next year. My baby is growing up so fast. If he wants something he will say "I command you to . . ." Rob adores this, which means that it is happening much more frequently. Jacob is obsessed with the game Plants vs Zombies" and even convinced his aunt to download it to her iPad. He can tell what each plant or zombie does and which ones to match up, but I still have to play it for him. His speech is coming along.

We finally managed to go to the beach this last weekend. We've had car issues one right after the other this summer, and it resulted in me not having a car for a week and a half. But all is better, so we headed to the beach. We went to Fort Macon, the aquarium, the beach and the fort. The kids loved looking for ghosts at the fort. They also had fun at the beach since it was a yellow flag day the waves were rougher, and good for boogie boarding. It was a good trip.

Rob and I celebrated our 12th anniversary a few weeks ago. It doesn't feel like we've been married that long. But I guess we better have with a kid that's almost ten. Yikes. He's busy working with the 11 year old scouts. It's got its ups and downs, but I think he likes it overall. I'm in the primary and I like it. So simple and fun. That's about it for now. I hope you all have a good week!

2 Agent Contests

If you are interested in pitching to agents you have to check out these two contests!

1- YATopia is hosting an elevator pitch contest with Bree Ogden. Awesome right? The contest is open until midnight on July 13th. Genres are Middle Grade and YA and the manuscript must be completed!

2 - LoveYA is holding a Twitter Pitch contest with Kristin Miller from D4EO Literary agency. She is looking for young adult and middle grade books. And the books need to be completed.

Enter both or one. Either way you are looking at two great agents reading your ideas! Good Luck!