Summer Sweet Summer

This is exactly how summer should be spent . . with sweet friends at the pool for hours on end!  The kids were so excited that the Richards girls could come with us to the Y pool while their parents worked on packing and moving.  It was the BEST for me too.  With friends that play so well together, this mama was able to sit and read for a long time.  I may have even snuck in a nap too!!

Preston's Sports Connection Party

 Today Preston was able to celebrate his birthday with some of his best buddies at Sports Connection!

They played lots of games and then formed team Preston for a few rounds of laser tag

After laser tag it was time for cookie cake and ice-cream!

Happy Birthday sweet Preston! 

I'm so thankful we were able to celebrate you today with so many of your favorite friends and games.

 And just like that we are FINALLY finished celebrating in the month of June. :)

Camp Invention 2018

This week the kids loved attending Camp Invention at PSE.  Preston attended as a camper and Savannah was a counselor.  I have to say that I wasn't sure if they would really enjoy going every day, I mean it's an all day camp lasting from 8:30 - 4:30, but they couldn't wait to go back each morning.  Even Savannah didn't mind working with kindergartners.  They had a wonderful week and are already talking about going again next summer!

Can you tell how thrilled they were to take this picture?!

Preston is NINE!

I cannot even believe our little peanut is NINE! It seems like just yesterday we were so worried because he didn't talk and now he never shuts up! :)  He had Camp Invention this morning, but I promised him when we signed up that even though he woudl be at camp all day we could still keep up with our tradition in going to Chuck E Cheese on his actual birthday.  So Dave took a 1/2 day of work and after we picked the kids up from camp we headed straight to play at Chuck E Cheese.  This year we got our normal 10 free tokens each and then Preston was dying to buy more with his own money.  So, he opted to buy time and spent $5 for 15 minutes of unlimited games. OK, this was hilarious . . . just imagine the four of us racing around the place for a solid 15 minutes playing as many things as we could.  It was hysterical!  Anyway, in that little 15 minutes we accumulated more than double the tickets we had in the hour before.  Savannah even won a large rubber ball from a claw machine during the time.

After playing until we were exhausted and claiming all of our prizes, we went straight to Red Robin for his birthday dinner.  We were so disappointed to arrive and see a sign saying that they would not take any royalty rewards or gift cards because their system was down, but after talking to the manager he agreed to make it work out for us. Then when we went to pay, even the credit card system was not working so we left them with our gift card, a whopping $19.87 left on it and they said we were free to go.  CRAZY!

We got home and fulfilled  promise we made to Preston at Christmas . . that we would use the pressure washer by his birthday.  Nothing like waiting until the last minute. HA!

Then he enjoyed his Starbucks double chocolate cupcake before finally retiring to bed.  It was a full day of celebrating our little guy.  He continues to bring so much joy to our house.  He is funny, inquisitive, smart, and always on the move.  He still adores his sister, only second to soccer, and loves playing anything outside.  Thankfully he is starting to enjoy reading as well, but math is still his favorite subject.  We love you buddy!

One AMAZING Daddy!

I wish I could adequately express just how much Dave means to our family, but there simply are no words that would do it justice.  I have never seen a man work so hard at a job, always aiming for perfection, and then to come home and continue to give time and energy to us as well.  He is always up for playing outside, a family game inside, a read-aloud, pitching in with the dishes or laundry, going on an adventure, a Sunday walk, and so much more.  The best is seeing him in action with Savannah and Preston though.  (He still does nightly stuffed animal shows at bedtime for the little guy!)  They love him so much!!  To celebrate Father's Day the three Star Wars fans went to see Solo this afternoon.  Savannah made some delicious homemade brownies, I cooked up his requested dinner, and then we hit TCBY for dessert too. We are so thankful for the man we call Daddy . . . and know there is NONE other like him.

Celebrating Savannah's 12th Birthday!!

Today was a super fun day celebrating Savannah's 12th birthday.  Dave took a 1/2 day off work and was able to join us for the opening of Incredibles 2.  It was the annual orthodontist event so not only did we enjoy the show, but even better that it was free (concessions included).

We then enjoyed dinner out at Chili's and headed home for Savannah's treat of choice, a Polar Pizza from Baskin Robbins. 

The kids have also been enjoying their new Ninja Warrior line, a birthday gift compliments of Aunt Cherry!

It's hard to believe that our first born is TWELVE years old . .  I mean it seems like just yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital.  She continues to love reading, crafts, math class and the occasional game with her brother.  She is now into basketball and hopes to try out for the school team this year.  She has such a givers heart and is always loving on us through special surprise gifts.  We are very thankful for her and the joy she brings to our lives.  I can't wait to see what this year holds for our Gracie Bell!

Season Opener at the POOL

On the way home from church, the kids talked us into spending the afternoon at the Y pool.  It was pretty busy, but we still had a great time!  They love it when Dave goes with us because he is right in the pool with them the entire time . . . as for me, I did get in the water to play, but only after taking a little nap first. :)  Here's to another great summer at the pool.

Savannah's 12th Birthday Party

This year Savannah really wanted to have a party at a place, so we agreed on Ben & Jerry's!  We polled several friends and discovered that the today would work best for most everyone, so it was set for the day after school was out.  I was very thankful that all we had to do is show up, since it was quite the crazy week

The employees were a bit disorganized, but the kids didn't notice one bit!  The party started with everyone going behind the counter and tasting any and every ice-cream they wanted.  Dave really enjoyed this part as well. . . and may have tried the most samples. :)

Next up was cake decorating . . . you can tell from Savannah's expression that Preston was a "pro" at this.  Apparently they were actually going to sell this cake?!

The party crew then made their own cookie, complete with any toppings they wanted.  Most of the kids ended up eating a lot of toppings too.

Then everyone tye-dyed a shirt to take home

 And lastly we all enjoyed birthday cake, complete with Savannah's favorite flavors.  I hope Savannah's friends enjoyed the party as much as she did, because our girl had a blast!

When we finally got home, she opened her gifts.  WOW!  I couldn't believe how perfectly her friends know her!  There were very specific items that she had not requested but really wanted for her birthday, including a big monogrammed toiletry bag, that she received.  There were gift cards to her favorite places, Star Wars items, simply southern shirts, a Savannah necklace and more.  I'm so grateful for this sweet group of girls that she has chosen to hang with.  They are indeed delightful, polite, and a joy to spend time with.

Celebrating the end of another great school year

Preston's expression says it all, WHAT?  Free TCBY?!?

Yesterday we heard about a promotion at our local TCBY from one of the orthodontists in town celebrating the end of the school year.  It was FREE all you could eat yogurt and toppings.  My kids were SO excited to find out that we were going for a treat after carpool!

And then there was today, our last morning of second and sixth grade.  I mean, seriously, where does time go??  They both have had such amazing years at school, but I'm not going to lie, we are all a bit ready for the break and a bit more leisurely summer!  So we'll wrapped up the last day of school and celebrated with TWO different neighborhood parties. 

The first party was an icee party at the Jenson's house. Preston and I went, but had to leave early to get Savannah from the Promenade.  After we drove carpool we hit the big neighborhood end of the year party.  We didn't know what to expect since it's our first rodeo, but the kids were super excited to see the ice-cream truck there and know that they could get any treat they wanted for FREE! :)  What a way to kick off summer . . now we're off to meet dad for dinner out.

Savannah's Spring Band Concert

Tonight was Savannah's Spring band concert.  It was amazing to see how much improvement the sixth grade band has made this year.  She has really enjoyed learning to play the trombone and plans to play again next year.

Celebration of Nations and Preston!

Today was the long-awaited Celebrations of Nations at PSE!

This year Preston's class studied Africa.  The second grade sang and danced to the all time favorite "Funga Alafia" song.

After spending the morning on the blacktop, I volunteered in the office until it was time for our next celebration . . for Preston's birthday!  It was such fun to celebrate with this little guy in the cafeteria and to help pass out the cookie cake.  There was lots of icing so it was a hit with his class!

A HOT Start to the weekend

Friday after a long blistering hot afternoon subbing at school (most of the time spend outside) I came home to find that our upstairs air conditioner was broken . . . and it was already 88 degrees upstairs where all of our bedrooms are! UGH!

Thankfully we were able to schedule someone to come out the next day (after calling three companies) to get it fixed, but for the mean time we had to figure out sleeping arrangements Friday night.  We decided on a camp out and out sweet neighbor drove over air mattresses for us to use. It was no ideal, but we made it work.  It was quite funny waking up to Preston belting out some song at 1am, to which Dave loudly hushed so then Preston just sang softer. :)  Savannah rolled out of her mattress making a loud thud on the hardwood a few hours later so needless to say no one slept very well, but at least we were cool!

Saturday these boys were thrilled to get their first treat from the ice-cream truck to help cool off!  It cost Preston an entire week's allowance, but he didn't care.  He enjoyed his treat on the driveway with Patrick. Summer break is almost here!!!