Really?!

Is it really the end of July? It sure doesn't feel like it. The weather has just been so unusual and for me it's just been dreary and somewhat depressing. Between the rain showers and cloudy days, it's just enough to keep the pools down right chilly. Of course then I have to think is it really the end of summer vacation? Once again it has flown by with this week being the exception. The kids had VBS this week, which they enjoyed immensely and I am continued to be amazed at all they learn (including how to be a cowboy!) However, this made for some very late nights. Between the weather and being cranky, we just haven't done all that much this week. We had dentist appointments, picked up school supplies, and just hung around the house. Last night we did get out as a family to enjoy Fifth Night and had a great time, but I forgot my camera so I have no pics. This in itself should probably indicate my current state of mind. Next week it is suppose to be warm again, just in time for me to spend my days reassembling my classroom. I am really hoping we can find a couple more days to enjoy summer vacation.

Perfect Summer Weekend

It was a beautiful weekend with temperatures in the mid to upper 80's. On Saturday, we hit the water around 10:30 in the morning with friends and didn't come off until after 5. It was partly cloudy at times, but the kids had a blast playing in the water. They weren't as sure about tubing this day. Then, on Sunday, we hooked up with Patrick and Julie for another day on the lake. It was a near perfect day. The kids once again enjoyed swimming and found their love for tubing again. I think this had a little to do with their love for their Uncle and Aunt. I was so proud of them. They spent two very long days on the lake without any melt downs. Another sign of them growing up! All around, it was a fun and relaxing weekend. I could get use to that life.

Plan B

As crazy as it may sound, I typically have a plan for every day of the summer. Even if that plan is just to stay home, hang-out, or accomplish some tasks; there is always an agenda floating around in my head. I have also pretty much passed along this insane trait to my kids, who will always ask what are we doing for the day or week. Today's plan was to meet some friends at Big Splash early in the day, something the kids were really looking forward to. But, due to the overnight rain, the morning wasn't looking so good and our friends decided for various reasons, that we should wait for a better day. This caused some distress amongst the little people in the house, including a few tears to come to terms with a new plan. It was decided we would wait and go to Big Splash on Friday with their cousins and then Delaney and Jax wanted to go see a magician/ventriloquist at the library. Baylor was a bit reluctant, but of course he is the one who laughed hysterically. I was cracking up, just watching him. After our free entertainment, I could tell the kids weren't exactly excited to go home, so I decided we should try out a local frozen custard shop.
The boys decided on chocolate in a cone. As they began to try and devour their treat, it dawned on me that they really haven't ever had a large ice cream cone. We use to get some miniature free sample cones at McDonalds on occasion, but they had never had anything this size as their very own. I like ice cream, but it's not something I typically buy or even think about stopping to get that often. Baylor was making a huge mess and it didn't take him long before he decided I should scoop it into cup for him, where he ate every last drop. Jax stuck with it for quite some time, but finally decided he couldn't quite keep up so he threw his in the trash and ate Baylor's cone. Delaney was probably smart enough from the beginning to realize that the cone would be more work, and she wanted every drop of her ice cream! (Just like her mom).
Guess, we'll have to make a point to work on the art form of eating ice cream skills!

Happy Birthday, Mimi!

Monday, we invited Nana and Mimi over for lunch to celebrate Mimi's 85th Birthday. The kids baked her cake and insisted on serving it as well. Let's just say, we had some very interesting looking slices of cake!

This is a horrible picture (bad lighting), but it captures the moment.

Time for a Change

I finally lost the battle. Delaney's been asking for quite some time to get her hair cut. I tried putting her off by telling her after recital, then after summer. Guess, I was hoping that with all of my praise of her long hair, she would learn to love her it, but that just wasn't the case. My mom made me wear my hair long and I always hated it so I try to be somewhat flexible. I have to admit, it turned out really cute.

Her hair is so thin, that it probably actually looks better short, not to mention that typically all she wanted was a pony tail. I was so sick of the pony tail; we were defiantly in a rut. As a mom, I guess I wanted that little girl long hair look. I'm starting to realize though, she's turning into a big girl. (sniff, sniff) This is the first bow she's allowed me to put in her hair in quite some time.

Swim Date with Friends

We finally managed to get together with the Hales for a swim date. The kids had tons of fun playing with their friends, Emily, Katie, and Dylan.

The Fourth

It's was kind of a slow start to the day, as we waited for the evening to roll around and the festivities to begin. The kids were very excited to get the day rolling. It's funny how things in life manage to come full circle. I remember my dad always spending the big bucks on fireworks, while my mom complained that she might as well set money on fire. I sort of had those same thoughts as we were purchasing fireworks this year. Of course only ten dollars was spent on the kid's fireworks, while the big kid purchased the big firework! I tried to keep my thoughts to myself and roll with the spirit of the holiday because I remember as a kid, I absolutely loved the Fourth of July and the fact that Dad indulged us in this area.

The kids loved the new slide.

I had one chance to try and get a good picture of everyone together. They were ready to light some fireworks.

The evening was cut a little short as storms began to roll in about the time the guys started to light off the big stuff. The kids sat down and watched the show, while I started packing us up and it didn't take long before the rain hit.

Day on the Lake

We kicked off the holiday weekend with a day on the lake. Our friends recently purchased a very nice new boat and invited us to spend the day with them on Skiatook Lake, where we spent time swimming and tubing. All was well until Rick tried to slalom ski and pulled his ham string.

Delaney had swimmers ear and an ear infection so she had been banned from lake water activities but we did let her dip in a bit to get wet, but tried to keep her head above water. Since this tube allowed you to sit in it, there was little fear of tipping.

Afterwards, we came back to our house for a little cook-out and then the plan was to try and watch the fireworks. However, the combination of heat/dehydration and the pulled hamstring literally put Rick down for the evening, so we cut our evening short. I sent the kids to bed because they were exhausted and I actually enjoyed a perfect view of the fireworks from the back porch.

Evening at Fifth Night

Earlier this summer I met up with some of my work pals at Utica Square's Fifth Night and thouroughly enjoyed the evening. Outdoors, music, food and friends is what I call a near perfect summer evening. This time I dragged along the family. A couple of them were hesitant, but I think they enjoyed themselves.

My friend Adrienne and her little girl. It was country night and I mean, old time/blue grass country, so the music wasn't all that great. The kids did get out and dance for a song.

Then, they spotted something they wanted....

So of course I purchased them each a snow cone!