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.

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. 

Tulip tree

Our neighbor has this tree in his yard.  I think it is a Tulip tree but one of my friends told me recently that it is a Magnolia tree.  I am awful at identifying trees and flowers so I don't know what it is.  What I do know is that is blooms once a year, usually in April, but since we have had such a cold spring I think it was delayed a bit.  It looked so pretty the other night I took Hailey outside with me to take a few pictures of the pretty tree and my pretty girl.

She was all about making up poses and trying to climb up in the tree.  It is not a super strong looking tree so I tried to discourage the climbing and mauling of it as much as I could.

Then she asked if she could take a picture of me.  My hope is that one of my kids acquires a love of photography.  I had a camera of my own by the time I was the boys' age.   They don't seem interested at all yet.  Maybe all the time they have had to spend in front of the camera has soured them to the point of never wanting to be behind one. 

So even though I looked like begungga, I handed over the camera to my girl to snap away.  After taking one accidental photo of the ground she did a pretty good job.

Mother's Day

 

We celebrated Mother's Day last weekend pretty low key which was totally fine with me.  The morning started off with a fabulous breakfast in bed prepared by chefs Hailey and Daddy.  Evan and Hailey gave me gifts and cards they made in school.  Since Spencer is a big middle school kid now, they don't make gifts for their mommas! Sad face.  

 

 

Since it was a nice day, we went to the store and picked out some annuals so I could fill the flower pots.  Daddy and Hailey worked a little bit on the garden and then later in the afternoon we went over to my mom's house with a bucket o' chicken.  

 

I wanted to get a photo of both me and my mom with the kids, but our photographer (Trent) had to run back to the chicken shack because they shorted us our box of chicken strips.   When did my babies get so big?  Spencer is almost as tall as I am!

After dinner the kids took a quick dip in the hot tub.  I can't believe that they still like to play with that ancient Little People boat and the Jaws shark - but they love it and always have.

After they got out of the hot tub, Hailey spotted Chippy running around in the back yard.  They quickly grabbed some seeds to try to entice the little guy up near them.

That is one fearless little chipmunk.

On the way home we made a detour so we could take a spin down by the lake.  We saw a big ship making its way into the channel and drove down there for a better view.  It was packed full of people along the wall - I guess we weren't the only ones with that idea.

All in all, it was a great day.

Note

I had to take my mom into the hospital very early this morning for an out patient procedure.  I left a note on the counter telling the kids that their lunch boxes and water bottles were in the fridge and to have a great day and I will see them all after school. 

 

I got home and found a return note that made my day.

 

I know it is probably hard to read.  The top little writing say Thank you Mom - love you - Spencer.

Then Hailey and Evan divided the paper in two parts for their notes.  Evan's said Thank you for the lunches.  I made a waffle. E

Hailey's says Me and Evan love you so much - I do not like candy any more - I do not have time.

I cracked up at Hailey's "I do not like candy any more" she is all worked up because she has to go to the dentist and get a filling done tomorrow after school.  Every time this happens she always swears off candy.  Obviously it doesn't stay out of her mouth for long.

Pretty

Just fooling around outside before the rain starts - with my camera and my baby girl.

 

I love her gappy smile and the gigantic teeth that are making their way into their new spots.

Maybe Spring has finally arrived after all!