Doesn't Summer = Vacation?

Who can believe that June is nearly over??? Not me, for sure. I've been lamenting the fact that summer no longer has the same meaning that it used to -- it doesn't seem like that long ago that it was me who was counting down the days until school was out and then enjoying the 10 weeks of summer vacation that I would give my left arm for now! Just hearing Emily say "I'm bored" brings it back very vividly... Ah well -- reality is slightly less relaxing.

It's already been a busy summer and we're only a few weeks in - I'm hoping that things slow down just a bit for the rest of the break. I've decided that I need a little break from this charming place (work) so Emily and I are going to Canada for a few days in August -- too bad that Chris can't come with us, but he said that he'd rather poke his own eyes out than be in a car for 9 hours! We're going "home" -- very loose interpretation -- to Ontario to visit an old high school friend of mine and just chill for a few days. We're even making a stop at Santa's summer home (www.santasvillage.ca) for a day of fun. It's been so long since I've been on anything remotely close to a vacation that I'm absurdly excited about this! We're also going to attempt a small weekend getaway at some point - there's a little theme/water park near Cleveland so we'll take a few days and just pretend we're somewhere far away.

Emily continues to keep us very busy -- she had her dance recital last weekend... very cute as it always is, but she really did a great job and makes us very proud parents. She has one more competition for this year in a few weeks and will be glad to have that done and out of the way...
That kid lives and breathes dancing (if you didn't know!!)

We also have a new nephew, which is very exciting! Emily is still the only girl cousin/grandchild so I'm sure she's anxious for someone to have a girl, but for now we'll take the boys! Jayden Michael is the second boy for Chris' sister Erika and her husband Aaron - he's super cute and loveable and Em loves to hold him - she's great with him.

Recital pictures will come one of these days -- let's see how long it takes me to post 'em!