Saturday, June 21, 2014

Summer Solstice

What a beautiful first day of summer!  We started out our day with a family trip to the new farmer's market downtown.  As we were getting ready to leave I had to chuckle when Hailey said to me "I can't wait to see the farmers!"  I am sure she was picturing overalls and straw hats.
 

As soon as we arrived, Evan had his eye on the food truck selling walking tacos.  Trent and the boys had visited the market a couple weeks ago and Evan had a walking taco and been craving another one since that day.  As we waited for them I snapped a shot of Spencer and Hailey.   Spencer looks thrilled to be there or to be getting his picture taken.  That is pretty much his everyday look on the cusp of thirteen.




 
They were all thrilled to find the guy that sold the honey sticks. 
 
While walking of the market, Trent spotted a food truck selling super yummy looking wood fired pizzas.  He went to place a quick order while the kids and I walked over the the splash pad.  Spencer wanted none of it, but the littles were intrigued.
 


It didn't take long for them to get in and get wet.  Look at that blue sky - it was a perfect day to be downtown.


We went home and fixed some lunch.  Trent and I had the pizza that he had ordered and OMG it was delish.   When our bellies were full we walked down to the beach with a Burley full of flotation devices.


Evan and Hailey were so excited to blow up the new pink frosting donut and the alligator that we got at 5 Below last weekend. 




I really didn't give the five dollar floaties long for this world, but they have held up pretty well to the abuse kiddos.  And to say they love them would be an understatement - best fifteen dollars ever spent!

Trent and Spencer had to leave the beach early so they could head back downtown and work an event for Boy scouts.  By collecting cans and busing tables, Spencer can earn money that he can use toward his camp fees next year.  So that left just the three of us at the beach.



Evan created some of his famous sand castle cities.  He told me that this one was a replica of District 12 from The Hunger Games.   He is reading the second book of the series and really comes up with some interesting questions for me.


Our Solstice selfie.  Are we not the cheesiest?  Then Evan got to work on the Victor's Village while Hailey dug in the sand and sang songs.  It was a fun time at the beach - even if the water is still chilly.


Trent and Spencer were scheduled to work downtown until nine at night so the littles and I went on a quick pajama ride to the ice cream shop.  They each got to have a medium cone so they were in heaven. 

All in all, it has been a great first "official" day of summer.  Though it always makes me a little sad that after this longest day we are headed back toward fall.  It hardly seems like summer has started yet.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Summer?

Summer vacation has officially started!  I am so excited to not have to pack lunches for the next three months!  Mother Nature must not have gotten the memo that the kids are out of school because their first day home started off with a lot of rain.  We did need the rain and my kids are thrilled to be stuck in the house watching TV or playing on the computer, but it didn't feel very summer like.
 
Later on the sun did come out and it got hot and humid.  I convinced Evan and Hailey that we should walk to the beach for exercise and to play in the sand.  They thought that sounded like a fun idea.
 
 

I told Evan to put shorts on but he insisted he would be fine in his jeans. 


We walked down the beach so the kids could collect treasures to adorn their castles.  I found a couple of pieces of small driftwood that I wanted to bring home.  I have a Pinterest idea for some kind of driftwood decoration  floating around in my head.  When I mentioned it to Evan he thought that a driftwood project was for sure something that should go on my "summer to do list". 


Because of all the rain and an east wind the water was only fifty or in the low fifties - the kids got braver and braver and soon asked me if they could swim.  Those two are Midwest born and raised for sure!  I told them we didn't have towels and they would have to walk home soaking wet but if they didn't care, go for it.  They went for it.



I think Evan may start a new trend with swim jeans.   They have pajama jeans.  Why not?


After swimming they completed their castle (working together - be still my momma heart) and we walked home waterlogged and sandy.  It will be a fun memory and a good way to start summer.