When I came across this photo on a Softball website, I couldn't help but laugh out loud. This is our life. Summed up our summer right here!
I'll just let the pictures talk for you :) And as for the photo with Lincoln just above, as though we can't get enough ball between the girls. Nope!, he wants to learn just as quickly as the girls!
For the last 4 years, Regan has attended a local camp that has stolen her heart and brought her back year after year. While it's only a week of her summer, she loves the Kumbaya feeling of it all, learning survival skills and trying new things. After 3 successful years of sleeping in a tent, this year, Mother Nature won and she/friends landed at the local Armory instead of in a tent. Our smart girl decided that sounded like a horrible plan and requested her own bed for the night. It doesn't make for a cute picture, but I assure you, it did not spoil her week at camp!
Time is sure flying by, seems like we just had the 4th of July! I'm a little behind as it appears. We had another great 4th of July, starting out with our annual Fete on the 3rd.
The kids adore bouncing around all of the inflatables while we wait for the sun to set. And us parents enjoy socializing with friends who are more like family.
This Ninja Warrior type inflatable had us cracking up. Check out the video below....we are good parents, I swear!
As we settled into our usual spot, we waited for the sun to set and enjoyed the company surrounding us. Some long time family friends on one side, and some new ones on the other. The kids oooh'd and aaah'd at each firework that boomed above us. I absolutely adore the beauty in the reflection of the lake, almost as much as I love this sweet face.
The next day we were greeted with rain and thunder. We almost thought our pool party would be cancelled, when the clouds eventually broke away and the sun came out. Sidney insisted on making our annual "flag cake", even walking up to the store to buy a few more ingredients.
Ryan enjoyed giving us his own show from the end of the driveway. Not to worry, the rest of us were tucked up close to the house, safe and sound :) Our kiddos seemingly love this stuff as much as he does.
His finale was quite impressive!
We ended the evening with a night swim, complete with the pool light illuminating the backyard. It's been tradition for as long as I can recall, and something that the kids look forward to all year long! It won't be long and our night swims will become common place, but in this current state, of 9pm summer bedtimes, it's definitely a treat they all enjoy.
I'm a little behind, just getting around to our Father's Day weekend. It's one of those days that brings me heartache and joy all wrapped into one. This Father's Day weekend was filled to the brim with ball and ball and a lot more ball, let's just say it was actually a pretty good distraction.
The kiddos both had a tournament which left us on the field all weekend. We had 6 games on Saturday alone, and due to a rain delay, we played them in a span of 9 hours. Talk about exhausted!
To top off the long day, the opponents we faced were a notch above both of our girls' teams. Which meant we were on the losing end for every single game. It was a long day, playing against A ranked teams in 90 degree heat. But they both went out and gave it their best each and every inning and we were so proud of them. Our rock star Regan is the sole catcher on her team so she spends every inning behind the plate, and it's a tough job!
Following the completion of games on Sunday, we had enough time to treat Ryan to dinner at his favorite local pizzeria where we feasted on fancy antipasto plates and amazing pizza with our sunkissed cheeks.
It was a jam packed, completely exhausting weekend doing just what we love to do most: hanging out together.
By the end, we all were ready for a good night's sleep :)
Each summer we spend as much time as is allowed doing all sorts of summery type activities. So when I had a few days off from work recently, I asked the big kids for some ideas of fun. Sidney instantly chimed in that she wanted to go to an Aquatic Center.
Living in a metropolitan area, there's no shortage of options. Thankfully the weather cooperated (minus an hour long lightening delay/break) and we had the most fabulous time!
Regan perfected how to "walk on water"; or maybe I just clicked the photo at the exact accurate moment.
I love that Lincoln is tall enough to go on big kid water slides now. He had a blast, only wishing he was tall enough for the solo body slides.
With two older siblings, Lincoln has some pretty good role models, which has turned him into a bit of a daredevil. This aquatic center has 2 diving boards, a low and high (REALLY high!). Lincoln was quick to announce he was heading for the high board. Um, hold up little man! It’s not that I didn’t think he could do it, I knew he’d jump. It was the aftermath of swimming all the way back to the edge, alone, without a life jacket, or goggles. I made him start by going off the low board, just to prove he could handle a short swim. Then we checked with a lifeguard on the rules. Turns out, the rules are exactly what I expected: no life jackets, no goggles, and must be able to swim on his own (no helper in the water). Alright buddy....give it a whirl. And he did just that, without any problems! Stinker.
Not to be outdone, Sidney loves that she is tall enough to easily handle the zipline with a quick splash at the end. Lincoln cannot wait until he too is tall enough :)
