A Peek At Our Week

I feel like summer has actually arrived.  Even though all three kiddos have been out of school now a whole eleven plus days, this week they were finally all mine.  No "warm up to summer" camp {which is just absolutely crazy to even comprehend that such a thing would be needed}....just three little ones and a Mommy.  I loved it!

So ironically our first activity of the summer only involved two of the three aforementioned kids.  I debated and wrestled with it and in the end logic won out.  This just wasn't the place for a two year old.  As much as it pained me, Lucy stayed home and had a ball with a sitter and a playdate.  

I only regretted my decision for about half a minute upon arrival at the Gold Mine.  Once we hit the cold, wet, dungeonous cave I knew I had chosen wisely.

So with that being said, my big kids and I headed out of town to get rich!  We met a few friends along the way and although we didn't strike it big, we had a grand time.  One of the best parts about summer is reuniting with the Micca crew.  Jack and Sophia have been the best of friends since before they could even sit on their own.  Some things just never change...

We started our visit panning for gold.  Yikes, that is tedious work.  I don't believe I would have been of much use back in the Gold Rush.  Each of our little miners left with a tiny nugget or two of gold in a test tube.  They were elated.

Next up was the cave tour.  This was about the only picture I got in there.  I was freezing and it was super dark.  Totally worth the experience though.

Our visit was topped off with gem mining.  This was by far the highlight of the trip for the kids.  We opted for the $30 bucket of gems and Jack and Mags split it.  It was a big ol' thing filled with sand and gems with two scoops.  I can't imagine what the $100 bucket would have looked like.

Jack most definitely scored big on this one because Maggie would only keep the pink and purple gems.  Anything else she sifted out she passed on to big brother.  He was in awe of the "snowflake obsidian" and "jasper"...seriously, how does he know these things?  I had to go check the chart a few times to question his knowledge.  Sure enough that kid was right on.

The rest of the week was spent knocking other items off of our Summer Lists and just plain enjoying summer.  All of which happily included Lucy.

Maggie has been dying to wash my car.  I set up a bucket, bubbles, and a towel and let her go to town.  I'm not sure I would say my car is cleaner per se, but she had a blast.  Her siblings ran around the yard chasing each other with the hose.

Some good summer fun.

We also squeezed in a Zoo visit  this week {along with a morning at Monkey Joes...which I loathe so I conveniently forgot my camera}.  However, the zoo was for sure camera worthy.

Can you imagine if I had missed this moment?  Sigh...pure sweetness.

Or this?

Pinch me, are these really my kids?  I adore them!!...let's just hope I'm still whistling that tune by summer's end.

Oh and guess who took the day off to hang with us?  Such a pleasant surprise!  We were all loving it.

The girls and I headed to the Petting Zoo while the boys went to the new Reptile House.  Have I ever mentioned my complete irrational rational fear of snakes?  I can not, for the life of me, figure out who found it necessary to spend money on a house for snakes.  Uck!

Luckily, I got to hang with these furry things {and two darling girls} instead.

I can't imagine the summer getting any better.  I am feeling very optimistic about the months to come.    Please...please...please...let these three keep getting along...

Let The Summer Lists Begin

The "Summer Lists" have been drawn up and the calendar has been filled in.  I can't lie these kids have got us busy this summer, but in a totally fun and laid back kind of way.  I was super excited to get started right away this week.

Jack's first full week of summer vacation was spent at camp.  I know, I know, completely against everything about summer I preach, love, and look forward to.  But, knowing what a tough time this guy had coming out of school and smack dab into summer vacation last year, I knew I had to soften the transition for him.  

So, with that being said, we signed up for camp with five of Jack's best buddies from school.  It has worked liked magic.  He's still hanging with his school crew and he's experiencing the joys of summer....hiking, canoeing, swimming, and so much more.  He's been so busy he hasn't even had a chance to mourn school's end.  {Did I really just write that?...but, yes, he actually mourns school being out}

Meanwhile the girls and I have been  knocking a few "girly" or possibly "babyish"  things off their lists while Jack has been preoccupied.

I've either already caught the lazy summer bug or I have just forgotten how adorable my kids are everywhere we go, BUT....I have not had my camera with me at all this week.  I've grabbed a few phone pictures, but keep catching myself ooohing and ahhing over everything they do and wishing I had the real thing.

Like for example when Lucy donned a Snow White dress and magic wand to feed the ducks at Farmhouse In The City.  So picture worthy and sadly, I had even left my phone in the car.  Oh the shame!

However, I did snag a few of the girls and their buddy at the art studio.  And I can assure you I will be grabbing the camera from here forth.

 Looking forward to knocking a few more off our lists next week...with all three kiddos {and a camera}!

All American Weekend

We kicked off our summer and headed straight into Memorial Day Weekend.  I don't know what says summer and America more than baseball, ice cream, swimming, and biking.  Our weekend was filled with all of the above.  

We were totally digging the perfect temps and you could hardly find us inside for more than a quick meal or clothing change.  And although I wished I had lugged my camera around for the entirety of the weekend, it only made it out for a few special occasions.

The main one being Lucy's first Brave's Baseball game.   I'm thinking the hot dog, popcorn, and ice cream made it a huge success for her.  We even tottled her over to the Kid's Zone right before she could claim boredom.   All in all it was great fun...most especially for the bigs.

Lucy was all about the Tomahawk Chop.  She made sure we taught her the move and assisted her as necessary.  By game's end she had it down.

The Braves pulled out a win over the Brewers.  It was a great game with a tie that led us into extra innings.  We most definitely got our money's worth.  Even though half of the game was spent in the gift shop and Kid's zone.

Somehow we made it out of there with only a new baseball hat and two Braves bears...trust me they were working us for more.

We headed home with some very tired kids.  No worries from us though...school's out!  Woo hoo!

Clay and I were loving that Grandma invited the littles over for a sleep over later in the weekend.  We decided to take full advantage of it after countless minutes logged at the pool this weekend.  We headed downtown, enjoyed dinner and the weather roof top.

We followed it up the next day with bike rentals and a little cruising.  We got a kick out of Clay's giant tires...woah!  Apparently everyone else did too because we heard comments from everyone we whizzed past.

We managed to get in a full bike ride and a stop for lunch before the rain came in.  We were certainly enjoying our time sans kids but I couldn't help but think how my little trio might have enjoyed it as well.  I just can't seem to ever shake this "mommy" thing.

And as we close up our All American Memorial Day Weekend I'm only more excited for summer.  I could get used to this.

Farewell First Grade

Summer is officially here...I've finally got all three kiddos home with me...school's out!  As we've patiently counted down the days this week, Jack's last day of First grade is here!  

And although he is "excited and sad" I am nothing but, beyond thrilled!  We had a great year with an incredible teacher, fantastic buddies, and lots of learning, but I am really looking forward to slooowwwiiingg  waayyy down.

I headed to the bus stop for my last time with this little one by my side.  I can hardly believe she'll be on the big yellow next year.  I'm going to miss her sauntering along at Maggie speed while checking out every garden, flower bloom, and blade of grass along the way.  

Maggie and I were both anxious to see Jack this afternoon and even more so his disposition.  If you may recall last year I had the only kid get off the bus crying because school was over.  Crying!, for goodness sake!

We were both elated to see him with hands full and actually greet us with a smile.  "Happy Summer" we cheered!

The kids were greeted with popsicles and a slew of cheers and hugs.

There is no better way to welcome summer than with a chilled popsicle.

After what seemed like an endless party at the bus stop, Jack cheerfully {yes, cheerfully} jaunted home to read his end of the year signs in the yard.

This reader of mine whipped through them in no time and then celebrated with a victory dance. Second Grade here he comes!

He finally slowed down for me to ask which was his favorite sign...he chose this one.  It was a list of all his achievements this First Grade year.  I can't lie, I got a bit teary eyed putting this one together.

So proud of this boy!  And looking forward to a laid back/busy summer with him!

Summer and Sunshine here we come...