Parade

Remember that Motley Crue song "Same old situation"?  I feel like that is what my summer blogging has become.  We have done so much, but I just don't have the gumption or the time to get it on here.   Today I find myself with a few minutes so I figured I might as well quickly get the latest on here. 

Yesterday I found myself alone at a parade.  Not totally alone because I had grandparents along side me, but with nary a child of mine to be found.  It was a little surreal to all of a sudden realize that I was at that place.  A place where all my kids are old enough to be involved in activities and march with those groups in the parade - without their mommy.  

My full fledged Boy Scout.

My sweet little Cub Scout.

And what do you know?  Hailey turned in her soccer cleats for lollies and a pleated skirt.  She felt like pretty big stuff to get to march in the parade, though part of her was a little (or maybe a lot) sad that she didn't get to collect all the thrown candy.  Believe me, the dentist and I are thrilled about that little perk of participation!

I can't stand how cute she is!  Our team is Boom! Dynamite!

We are headed into the last week of summer with gusto.  We have school open houses and cousins coming to visit.  A week full of fun awaits us.  Then perhaps in the quiet that BTS brings I will finally find the time to blog about all the fun things we did this summer.  Then I can sit in my quiet, empty house and wish for just a few more days of the chaos to return.

He likes it. He really likes it.

It's kind of late for an old lady like me and I am tired and ready to go to bed, but I knew I had uploaded these pictures earlier this week.  The days ahead of me look even more busy so I see more tiredness in my future.  I figured I better get these on here while I have a chance.

 

Spencer participated in his second year of theatre camp last week.  To say he loves it would be a gross understatement.  I am a bit mad at myself because this is the last year that he is in the age range to do it.  He may even have exceeded the age range, but since he went to DK he was all right as far as grade level.  I had first heard of this camp when he was in Kindergarten from a fellow classmates mom.  I tried to get him in, but in those days the camp wasn't super popular so they only did it for one week of the summer and by the time I called it was filled.  I am fairly certain they held it in the years that followed and it must have grown in popularity because now they fill three sessions a summer - but I never enrolled him until last year.  I never wanted to commit to a week long "school" type scenario thing for him during the summer because what fun would that be? 

 

Apparently to him?  A ton of fun.  And really when you think about it, a week of fun classes sure beats sitting in front of the TV or computer.  If you miss out on a couple of beach or pool days, what is the big deal?  There are lots of beach days in a typical summer. 

 

 

This year the show they put on was 101 Dalmatians and Spencer had the role of one of Cruella DeVille's bumbling henchmen.  Cruella was definitely the lead, but Spencer was way up there.  He had lots of lines and the three of them were on stage almost the whole show. 

 

By the way if you wonder if the old adage of "girls mature faster than boys" is true.  The girl playing Cruella turned ten years old that week of camp.  Spencer will be twelve in a few days.  Two years apart.  Holy cow!

Trying to lure the puppies away with Kanine Krunchies.

The three of them had a lot of choreography to learn as well.   They did a great job.

Our little henchman glowing with pride after the show.

I am thinking that something to do with the theatre will end up to be his "thing".

On Friday morning before drop off at the theatre I asked him if he was tired of the show and glad it would be done later that day.  His reply was that he wished it went on longer because he was having so much fun.

Later that evening as we were getting ready for lights out he told me he wished the play wasn't over because every night before bed he got to look forward to something the next day.   So yeah - I think he really likes it.

Family game night

These were taken a few nights ago.  A night where I finished up the dinner dishes and looked outside and saw the four loves of my life living it up with a family game of corn hole.  BT Dub - worst name ever for a game. It just sounds wrong on so many levels.  Anyway, what else could I do but grab the camera and get a couple shots of the action?  

 

I don't love the humidity, but I love how the humidity makes her hair curly.  So cute!

Daddy trying to come up with a signature pose - or something.

When I reviewed this shot on the computer I wondered at first glance who the big kid in the background was.  Oh yeah - that is just my oldest son who will be twelve in a matter of days.  Are you kidding me?  One more year until teenager!

There's our almost twelve year old trying to convince Dad to change the rules or something that would benefit his cause.  And then a loivng look for his mother.

Sweet little Belty Boy.  I could just eat him up!

I love the victory shot.  Trent told me to make sure I got a shot of the boards?  platforms?  whatever they are called.  He worked on them for many a night.   They turned out super fab.  We are so, so ready for yard games!

Poor little sister is dealing with a major case of the swimmers ear.  She has woken me up crying every night this week with ear pain and needing more "medicine".  I swear I sometimes think she just likes the taste of the medicine.  I finally called the doctor yesterday and got her some drops so hopefully those nights are behind us.  Especially since she is at a sleepover tonight.

Maybe not a great idea Spencer.   I think Hailey is planning to cash in on her chance to bean you with a bean bag.

Last shot of the night.  Staring out into the horizon with her summer "perm". 

We are summer lovin' at it's finest!