When the dog days of summer (can we officially be there yet, it’s still June?) set in I find less and less ways to be motivated. The kids are at home and their eternal relentlessness takes its toll on my soul. I feel more of a shell and less of a person each day when I’m continuously finding ways for them to have fun. In fact, I almost feel like I have to find their fun and have it for them too! Anyone else??

One of my favorite things to do in my teeny tiny town is to visit the Dollar Tree. Sometimes I will root around in their craft department trying to find something to keep me busy, something to feel like I actually… Accomplished something? It may sound pathetic but oftentimes as a parent you miss the lack of satisfaction of accomplishing a finished product of something. Possibly because with kids you are constantly working on an ongoing project that literally has no ending. You’ll never get to see the final outcome, only snippets of progress along the way that are practically washed out in a sea of sheer madness known as nurturing.

But I digress. The fourth of July is upon us and I wanted to make something patriotic. Never in my life have I felt the need to show patriotism as I have lately so this is what I made. A Dollar Tree (of course) patriotic banner. How typical is that? I’m going to hang it in my yard so people can see my pride for my country as they drive by. Or they’ll wonder why I’m supporting a country that’s lost its ever-loving mind. Or both.

Also, I would like to share this sweet picture of my cat drinking water in a pool that my daughter through petunia petals into. Why does this look so luxurious to me? Why do I want to drink cold water with flower petals in it now? Maybe I will.

Had to share another random cute cat picture.

Finally I would like to share this darling little sand castle that I taught my kids how to make tonight.

yes. that’s right. i taught them.

Isn’t play supposed to be self-induced and self-taught? Not here it isn’t. My kids only play as long as I’m out there playing with them showing them how. I made a pretty “flower” castle and they played a little but mostly watched. My castle even had a moat and flower flag. How cute is that?

My little truck decided to take a trip to Frog City. It had to cross the highway. Look at its cute little tire tracks.

Finally after arriving at Frog City (this is Frog City).

It decided to do some grocery shopping and picked up some food for the trip home. It got some broccoli, steak, and yellow ice cream (come on now, use your imagination!).

That’s all for now, have a lovely fourth of July!!