Girl Power

So today was a stay-at-home project day (well for the most part as we did have a few errands).  I had a list of 44 things that needed to be done, errands and house stuff included.  The kids asked what they could help with and I showed them the list.  Savannah quickly selected "fix screen door" and went to work.  I stood in awe of her as she used the electric drill to disassemble the door, tear out the old screen, replace it and the binding, and then use the drill to reassemble the door.  It looks way better than anything I could have done!  Where there is a will, there is a way . . and it helps that they were motivated by getting to eat a cookie after completing something on the list. :)  So proud of my girl!

An Unexpected Great Wolf Adventure

I got a call from a friend last night asking if we wanted their day passes to Great Wolf Lodge for today.  Knowing that it is one of Preston's absolute favorite places, I gladly accepted the passes.  Plus with Dave working late it was the perfect way to fill our afternoon. I later found out that they had enough passes to share with another family at church so we were thrilled to be able to meet up with the Ezells in Concord for a fun-tastic adventure!  We headed to GWL right after our swim class with Ms. Doris and a quick picnic lunch in the car.

Ron and I (Dave and Laura had to work) tried our best to keep an eye on this crew, but I have to say it's so much less stressful now that they are older.  I know that they are excellent swimmers and stick with a friend, so honestly after my own share of water rides, I sat and read a book!

What a super way to surprise the kids with an epic summer adventure . . and for free!  We came home, hit the showers, had leftovers for dinner and after a little TV they were sound asleep in bed.  #success

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.