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One weekend, three different states, three siblings all enjoying nature.  Its apparent nature is well loved in this family.  

Boys love the river tubes.  So glad I got them.  They will be put to really good use here this summer and future summers.  

Getting the tubes to the lake was quite comical.  I inflated them in the garage and tried to put them in the car.  No such luck.  I'll attach them to the roof I thought.  So I head to Ace Hardware and walk in for a 100-foot rope and two bungee cords.  The Ace Hardware expert said no, deflate and then inflate again at the lake.  He sends me home with the 100-ft rope and batteries for the air pump.  I am sure he had a good laugh.  I had a good laugh. 

But his plan worked!  Inflated the tubes with no problems and the boys were on the water in minutes.  

I couldnt get them out of the water to go home.  Nor would they listen to me about going too far out when not in the tube.  Man do we miss swimming this summer. 

Wednesday night I took us to a river front park for a picnic.  I brought the boys bathing suits, towels and our beach blanket.  I figured what else do we have to lose on this hot and steamy and humid and sticky night?  It was exactly what we needed.  

They jumped right in the water, rocky bottom and all.  They swam for a good hour and a half straight.  I worry about the virus and what is in the water.  We came home, took showers and I ordered river tubes and water shoes for the boys.  I am super excited for the next time we can go....and use our big boy toys.  Ha.  

Today I saw on the front page of the Naperville Sun just how popular this little get away is.  Bummer.  I hate when things I love get over-populated, it causes anxiety in me because these are nature's grounds and with the popularity comes erosion and disrespect.  Not everyone loves nature like we do.  Not everyone will pick up after themselves to protect the wildlife.  

We are planning to go again tonight, fingers crossed its just us!  

Happy Independence Day!  

We had a GREAT day!  We headed over to Andrew's for a family BBQ.  It was such a good time.  The boys were in/out of the house, playing on electronics, roaming the neighborhood, having fun wasting all the dish soap on the slip-n-slide that they didnt need showers!  Weather was perfect, not too hot, enough shade from their big backyard tree.  

We had sparklers, glow bracelets and Andrew picked up a variety pack of fireworks.  Nothing huge, but definitely worth the money.  We put on some tunes and had our own backyard fireworks show.  

This day is exactly the memory I want to have and I, with my whole being, want the boys to have.