Top 10 Ways the Buckleys Stay "Cool"

The last month or so has been CRAZY for us. So crazy that I've neglected my beloved blog. :) So, to catch you all up on the fun, wild and exciting times of the Buckley's I've created this top ten list of the ways we've been staying "cool" this summer! (Bryan says: Oh our poor blog, we missed you. Caution--if you dare to read this long post you may find yourself twitching and having seizures, but rest assured it is funny!)

1. Lots of pool time. Since our neighborhood has a great swimming pool and since the Florida heat is hard to beat, we've spent many hours near the pool this summer -- even more since Eleanore reached the six month mark and can now officially wear sunscreen. She is one rockin' baby with her shades, sunhat and even tan lines in the the creases of her baby chub. She really likes the water (I'm hoping she'll be a swimmer as quick as a walker!). When we put in her in her floaty she'll kick her little legs to move around. It's a lot of fun. (One way Eleanore likes to relax and chill is to sit in her shaded floaty in the cool pool.)
   
   
   



2. Work. Promotion. Retirement. Both Bryan and I have been very busy with work. He has been working diligently since he was hired at Clockwork last September to prove himself, and was recently recognized for his efforts with a promotion from Operations Advisor to Franchise Business Consultant. (Whoo Hooo!!! It's about time.) I am so proud of him and am grateful for all he is doing to provide for our family. The new job assignment will likely mean longer hours at the office and more business travel, but it is what Bryan has been hoping for as far as climbing the ladder in his company, so we believe it will be worth the extra work.
   
   As for me, my work-at-home, part-time job has become very chaotic as we are preparing to launch a new brand for the Symphony in September. (Emily is doing an amazing job with this, I think she should have the career and I stay home and I go swimming with Eleanore, heck maybe I will join the stroller class and work out, lol.) With news of Bryan's promotion and an increasingly active baby, the question we've been asking ourselves for months about whether or not I should quit my job has been answered. I gave my notice at the Symphony, but agreed to work as much as necessary until brand launch. After that I'll hopefully be a on retainer with them and carry some other freelance assignments, but it will be at my own pace. It is a little nerve-wracking to forgo the security of a reliable second income, but we feel like the uncontested most important thing right now is caring for Eleanore and making our house a home. (Together is where we like to be!) Whatever I can earn in my "free time" will just be icing on the cake! (Speaking of cake, Emmy can you make some yellow cake with chocolate frosting?)
   
   


3. Chillin' with the Smiths. Lucky for us, we've gotten to see Shay and her family several times this summer. We were at their house in June, (and May, April, March, February, and January but who is counting?) then they were at our house in July (yep, just July :) ) and then we met at the Temple in Orlando this last weekend. They are always fun to visit with, and Saveyah, Shep and little Major always make us smile. We are so glad they are close enough to see every so often! (We really had a fun time playing with them at the Temple. Me and Emily looked like the typical Mormon family, we had 8 kids outside (Shay's and Rob's) the Temple with us, two infants and the rest up to age 8. It was fun!)
   
   
   
   



Fishing at the Venice Fishing Pier






Hanging out on Siesta Key Beach









4. 
   
   Bummin' with the Buckleys. We've also enjoyed lots of time with Rob and his family. (They have names too! Catherine, Audrey, Jordan and Jake) Most recently we spent a day at Aquatica (the new water park by Sea World). It was super fun! We went with zero expectation of doing the "grown up" water park things and ended up having a fabulous time. (I spent about 3 hours just in lines) We spent a lot of time sitting and splashing in the zero-depth area of the wave pool, went down a few slides, rode the lazy river and floated around the rapids (which was surprisingly fun...we put Eleanore in a life vest and let her float on her back and she actually enjoyed herself -- she was so chill, just laying back sucking her finger...I wish we'd taken a picture it was pretty cute). (That reminded me of Moses for some reason. The lazy river just took Eleanore all around...of course we were by her side!!) At about noon the sky turned black and we had to run for shelter -- we were hit by a Gator Gusher, as they like to call the out-of-the-blue storms around here. (I have to admit, it was a little scary, lightning was striking all around us) Luckily we only had to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with about a hundred other swimmers in the little restaurant for about 20 minutes...then it was back to the water for more fun. (Oh it was fun, thats for sure)
   
   
   
   
   
   At Aquatica
   




5. A new set of wheels. Who knew that a 18-pound baby could require so much gear? After cramming all her junk and our own gear into our sedan for our 4th of July trip to St. Augustine, we decided we would explore the option of getting something bigger to make these types of trips more comfortable, and to give us room to grow. (Emily's idea.) We thought now was as good of time as any to upgrade since the price of SUVs is so low right now (but, yes I know, the price of gas is not...hopefully we don't hate ourselves later for this choice). (Hey, gas here is $3.71 that's a steal.) So, after Bryan spent the last month reading and searching we bought a Nissan Pathfinder. WAHOO! I always love getting new-to-me cars! (I had to bargin with the car salesman for quite some time to get what we wanted, and yes we did get what we wanted. Thanks Dad, for teaching me all the tricks and what to do and what to say!)
   
   

   This pic was taken during a water fight...that is why Bryan is hiding in front with a super soaker.

6. First tooth + sleeping in our own rooms = better sleep. (Emily's strong subject was not math, however if you asked her to spell any word she could, I think of her as my own Webster's dictionary.) We took the plunge and moved Eleanore to her own room. It was hard for me (and Bryan), (True, true...) but I have to admit it has been nice. I believe the move has helped us all get more rest, which makes for a much happier family. And, as for the rough nights we were having last month, we have discovered the culprit: a tiny little tooth that popped through Eleanore's bottom gum about two weeks ago. Since it came through she's been sleeping much better (until last night, I think another tooth may be on its way). Man, that little hillbilly tooth looks cute, just call her Ellie May! (Hey Ellie May can you open my sasperilla? Get R Done.)
   
   


7. A sense of humor. Eleanore's personality is coming out more and more each day, and we are having so much fun with it. She has developed a little sense of humor, which caught me off guard. The other day she was playing with this little puppy toy that barks if you pinch it's ear and sneezes if you touch it's nose. I started copying the sounds it makes and she thought it was hilarious...giving true belly laughs. It was fun to see her laugh about something that was totally cognitive not physical (i.e., tickling). Eleanore has also started clapping her hands (and even at appropriate times like when we say "YEAH, ELEANORE!" She is such a fun girl. (This is just beautiful, it makes being a dad the best thing in the world!)
   


8. Wii-kend fun. Miriam convinced me that the Wii was the funnest video game around. So, I convinced Bryan that we should get one. Yes, you read that right...I convinced Bryan. Okay, so it didn't take much convincing. (Yes it did, don't believe her.) Since we got it we've been having fun bowling, playing tennis and baseball and monitoring our Wii age. Come on over, our bowling alley is smoke free, but watch out I'm pretty good. :) (Okay, so Emily is really good at bowling, but I swear it can tell that she is a girl and it lets her win every game! And another thing, Miriam, Mario Party is so cheesy, my 6 yr old niece loves it...I feel like I am back in 4th grade when I play that game...LOL)
   













9. Church service. On top of work and school (yes, Bryan is still plugging away at his online studies), (Thanks for the subtle reminder Emmy, I should go do my homework right now.) Bryan has been busy with church work. He is the ward mission leader and has been at the church for lots of meetings lately. It is sometimes hard for me to be supportive and encouraging, because I want him to come home after work and hang out with us. (Trust me, I would love to come home and hang out!) I need to work on this. I can't imagine the patience Emma Smith must have had. Or, even a Bishop's wife. Kudos to them. Shame on me. I'll do better. (The chruch is true.)
   
   


10. Jogging. I've enjoyed my stroller class so much that I've decided to challenge myself a little. I signed up for Susan G. Komen Race for Cure on October 4. I'll just do the 5K in that race and then I plan to do find a 10K to do the following month. (I was invited to run with her, but my response was...who runs anymore, thats why you convinced me to buy the wii.) My ultimate goal: do a half marathon in January (marking the one year mark since giving birth). (GO EMMY! You can DO IT!)

So that's it. We're having a great summer and trying relish every minute of spare time we have. (Anyone want a hot dog?)