Okay, it is summer and it is hot, Hot, HOT! Austin has had 31 days in a row of at least 100 degrees. We have had no measurable rain. And with the kids home, it is essential to keep my cool.Sometimes that is not so easy. These kids can go from the most loving brother and sister duo you have ever seen to the Hatfields and McCoys in a millisecond. Keeping busy helps. These kids have a social calendar that a Hilton would envy. In a two week period, we have four birthday parties, three play dates, a swim party, and a sleepover! It keeps them happy but Mama  is tired. Very tired. Oh, and we just added a day trip to an ice cream factory. That's over an hour away! I am glad that my kids have friends. Really I am. But it can be exhausting!But it can also be fun. We have been to the beach, the aquarium, and to see movies. We have read books and played Monopoly. And then they say things that just crack me up. Like...When I asked my daughter why she and her brother hadn't cleaned up her room, she looked at me and in complete sincerity, said "I didn't know where to start. You're the Mommy. You're supposed to know. We're just kids." (BTW, room is still not clean -- they're just kids, you know.)My son wanted a cup of milk at bedtime. I told him that it was too late and he had already brushed his teeth. He then puts his hands together (prayer-style), leans his cheek on them, and gives me his best toothless grin. When this seems to have no effect, he looks at me and says, "this isn't working for you, is it?" Stifling laughter, I shake my head. He then smiles bigger and says, "but this is my cute face". Yes, yes it is.So these are a few of the fragments of my life. If you have fragments that you would like to share, check out Mrs. 4444 at Half Past Kissing Time.