Summer Break Week Three

This week, Kate wrapped summer school physical education class with field trips to multiple awesome locations. At one point, she called with a friend, holding adorable ducklings she wanted to bring home. Grateful the coach wasn't going to allow animals on the bus as an additional deterrent, the babies were deposited back along the hiking the trail their momma had expected to discover them once fifty-five rowdy teens vacated the premises. Kate made friends and had a great class. A group of boys gave away trunk loads of chips each of the final days. Teens are strange. 

Ty had a few friends spend time with us this week while Kate was away because other than challenging him to several endless games of basketball in the driveway, I failed to provide enough entertainment for the active boy. 

Ty and I knocked an item off his summer bucket list together Wednesday night. While preparing for the sleeping portion of our "sleep in a tent" agenda, we read a choose your own path book my mom sent him. We never made it to Oregon on the Oregon Trail, but we didn't die either so we are calling it win. Then, around eleven, he casually mentioned how surprised he was that I was still awake. I was tired but I was waiting on him to fall asleep before doing so myself. He admitted he was hoping I'd fall asleep soon so he could get into his own bed where it was warm and more comfortable. There appears to be some misunderstanding as to who actually wanted to sleep in the tent. We had a great night but the tent was abandoned and we both slept well. In our own beds. I love this boy.

Friday, we packed a picnic and headed to Deam Lake for the day. Kate brought a friend and met another there. Ty's friend brought his entire family so we had a great day. It was hot but the shade and breeze offered relief when the water was simply too much after a few hours. Ty, who appears to be part fish, never tired of swimming. I love their summer bucket list and the fun we have completing items. 

 

Tonight we kicked off the weekend appropriately. 

Summer Break Week Two

Our family is growing! Noah asked Greg's permission to propose to Makenna while I was in San Antonio. You better believe I called Noah out for his timing. But after the initial shock wore off, we readily accepted him as one of us. If he can endure almost three years of our brand of crazy, he's in. Ty is excited about the new brother and the girls are ready to celebrate with Makenna. We are waiting to see what wedding plans they create.

My handsome husband and his mini me filmed an advertisement for a friend this week. The product will launch soon and I will share the link to the website then. They had a great time playing in the creek together and I enjoyed shooting the still shots.

Sunday our favorite firefighter dropped by a birthday party and was loved. Anna turned nine and was celebrated fully. 

The animals are still running the house. I genuinely live in a zoo. I woke at 2am one night and found Oliver relaxing on the rug in front of the entry door. He looked so comfortable watching me walk by. I noticed the rug was half way up the door so some shenanigans were absolutely taking place before my arrival. He was playing it so cool, I almost missed it but ignored him just the same. It's literally never a dull moment around here. 

Pip was bathed against his wishes and then had his weight exposed as Kate dried him. He was none to pleased but we were amused.

We video chatted with our favorite three year old. He was packing a suitcase, determined to visit and I found myself considering all the ways we could make it happen. Goodness I miss this ornery face.

Kate enjoyed her first week of summer school PE and also started an online health class. I am running just as much this summer as I was during the school year. But the long rainy days have provided several opportunities for rest between errands. 

Summer Break Week One

Ty and I landed in Louisville just after midnight, ushering in June 1st. He was delighted he was awake and able to text Kendra her very first birthday wish of the day. I adore their friendship. 

Tuesday, Kate and I grabbed lunch on the way to an appointment and delivered lunch to Erin for a quick glimpse. I have missed her. We then grocery shopped because my presence had been missed the prior week. It was noted we lacked all.the.things in our kitchen and Greg didn't go to the store because he doesn't like to. Lord help my children if something happens to me because their father just assume starve than meal plan.

We created our summer bucket list, which is once again laid-back and full of hikes, smores, fishing and visits with friends. The highlight being a trip to Georgia, of course.

Makenna spent the week on vacation with a friend's family on Cape San Blas. She loved the relaxed beach as much as the quiet bay she explored for sea life. 

Wednesday I purged the attic because it was cool enough to work up there without risking a heat stroke. It felt good to unload the things we have been hoarding over the years, citing sentimental value or fear of being rude for not keeping unused gifts. Being in one home for fifteen years has made me soft. When we moved more frequently, I brutally eliminated all the unnecessary items rather than pack them. It felt productive to knock that item off the endless list of things to do. 

We knocked The Falls of Ohio off our bucket list between rain showers on Thursday. The water level was so low, we were able to explore more than ever before. It was a gorgeous moment on an otherwise rainy day. It took until Thursday afternoon for me to feel like I could slow down and enjoy an outing. Catching up after the last few weeks of non-stop running was not easy. A friend described it well. "We were drowning." The balancing of mom, a home and an employee is anything but simple. Thank goodness for two months of summer where I will still juggle a full schedule, but at least the employee role will be removed.

We then headed over to the skate park for Ty to practice on his skateboard. He is lamenting the broken bike from last fall so we need to replace it soon. I was holding out for his birthday next month. Time will tell if we make it that far before I cave. He needs motivation to play outside sometimes and a new bike could do the trick. Ty is a much happier kid when he is outside.

Before leaving, Makenna left instructions. I needed to provide larger space for the miniature knock out rose gifted me just a month ago. Although my thumb is anything but green,  happy accidents occur.

Today, Kate and I abandoned two different sets of plans for a variety of reasons and ended up shopping and grabbing an ice cream treat together. It was good to spend some time with her. Ty, on the other hand, was living his best life playing at Kendra's house. It was a perfect ending to a crazy week.