Summer

We had a super fun summer.  There were of course days when I couldn't pick up another toy, or break up another fight or clean up after another meal...but I do think we managed to have quite a bit of fun throughout the usual chaos.  I also feel like this is the first summer where I could take the kids to the pool or the movies without being a total stress ball then entire time.  Miller is getting old enough to do more which allowed us to get out and about more than ever!  Since it was Ellie's last summer before school, we made a summer bucket list and managed to check off ALL of our items off of our list and more!

--Visit DeDe and Peeps...Check!  We did a zoo trip, Redbirds game, visited the new Bass Pro
and Ellie went for a week by herself to attend BUMC VBS.  BOTH kids went back at the end of July for 5 days as well.  They stayed busy with carousel rides. Chick-fila lunches, a trip to the Orpheum for a showing of Hook, and a trip or two to the new Bartlett Splash pad.

--Go to the movies...check!  check!  I would like to point out that I took both kids to the movies twice by myself and they were perfect angels.  We saw the Minion movie and Inside Out.  Both were very cute!

Have a friend over to play...check!  Ellie Douglas came over to play one day and Ellie went to play at her house as well.  No pics but it did happen!

Family Fun Day...check!  We had several days/nights spent as a family.  We blew up baby pools and sprinklers, took trips to Jackson to eat, and even went to the lake for a sunset boat ride.  Lots of fun!

The weekend before school started we went to eat at Asahi Hibachi and did a little schools shopping.  I love quality time with these goofballs!

Go get a snowcone...check!  We drove all the way to Union City one night for a snow cone and it was worth the drive!

Girls day...check!  Ellie's love language is definitely quality time and a "girls day" definitely tops the list.  Before school started we had several lunch dates and she even had her nails/toes done to get her kindergarten ready. #spoiled.

Plant a garden...check!  Ellie has asked for a garden for a couple of years now so Don finally gave in. It was a lot of work but we all enjoyed it so much!  We were swimming in cucumbers and zucchini for a few weeks!  We made loads of zucchini bread and pickles and enjoyed lot of fresh veggies all summer.  Don plans to go even bigger next year!

VBS...check!  I spent several days/hours preparing for our VBS this year.  It was a huge success and so much fun.  Miller even loved and can't wait to fully participate next year.

Ellie's dance recital...check!  She learned SO much this year at her new studio and did great at her recital.  She had an entire row of fans and we were so proud of her!

Tee-ball...check!  This year was a little more "emotional" than last, bless her hear so I am not sure she will be playing next year...but we survived, she finished and our sweet little team even had an ice cream party after the awards ceremony.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, but I think I highlighted the big parts.  I am so grateful for these precious little people and all of the fun and memories we managed to make.  Now it's back to the grind and a busy fall season.