Enjoying the end of our summer!

I know for most that summer hasn't "officially" ended, but for us when school starts, it feels like it has.  So here's a look back at a few of our favorite summer memories in July!

Being crazy with friends!

 Daddy's birthday.... complete with peach cream pie, homemade vanilla ice cream, and a few of his gifts... a new water cup, and some famous KC Royals BBQ sauce!

 Riding on grandpa's float in the Henderson Days parade.

 Watching their relationship grow.

 Melting mama's heart when he still cuddles up with one of his animals!

 Just goofy!

 A Kazoo concert!

 Eileen's Cookies

 His little finger swelling up after getting attacked by a bee...

The bee got a bit of mama's nose too as she tried to save him!

 Hanging out with our neighbors.

 "Putting up" sweet corn.

 So excited about writing our whole family's names (even little "?")

(and her name is backwards because it is written on a slide in sheet that she put the wrong way... ;)

Summer time just has to be the best!!!  So thankful for all the memories!

1st Day of School - 2013

Here's a little sneak peek into our first day of school...

 

Early morning before everyone is up... getting ready for the day.

The table where lots of learning will take place all ready for the year. 

Daddy even left an apple for the teacher...

 My 3rd Grader - Liam

 My Kindergarten Girl - Ainsley

 My "preschooler" (on some days) - Kallan

 

 

 Looking at these faces reminds me of the enormous weight of teaching them...

but also the joy and privilege it is to walk with them in their learning.

 All ready to start the day!

 He's learning about the history of the world.  First lesson... Creation.

 Fun phonics games!

 Just give this one letters and he'll entertain himself all morning long!

 Play time.

 A little science...

 Handwriting...

What he does when he's done with his letters...

 and the trail he leaves behind!

 After our first day... a treat of slushies and dollar coins at the bank!

(Thanks to our summer ready program!)

 It was a good day... a good start...

So thankful to have these three gifts and to be their teacher!

Summer Math Review...

 

"I Do"

13 years ago I said, "I Do" to this man.

I promised to love, honor, and cherish him.

 

I promised to be faithful, stand by him, and respect him.

 

God has taught me so much about love and marriage in these last 13 years...

 

I think more than anything, He has taught me that I have so much more to learn.

 

But I'm thankful for His faithfulness in our lives...

 

For teaching us to forgive and never go to bed angry.

 

For teaching us to appreciate each other's strengths and weakness... and love unconditionally.

 

For helping us learn how to dance together in this life, in rain and in sunshine.

 

I love you Tim Hodges! 

 

Thank you for being my hero, my partner, and my constant day by day.

 

I'm so glad I said, "I Do".

Choo... Choo... Caboose!

Early this summer, Tim had the great idea of renting a caboose at Two Rivers State park and to go "camping".  Now this is my type of camping... running water, restrooms, showers, air condition, a small kitchen, a mattress to sleep on.  I must admit, I am not a "roughing it" camper.  But this I can do.  We knew the kids would LOVE it... and we knew it would be a time to create some great memories as a family!  So off we went to our little Choo Choo Caboose!

Liam immediately found that climbing all over the caboose was like his own little play ground.  Miss Ainsley found a quiet spot on the top bunk to play with some Barbies, and our little man had fun just running around in the grass!  

Mother Nature attempted to ruin our first few hours there with a rain storm and hail... thankfully Ainsley had her princess umbrella in the van so we could save supper! 

And eating took just enough time for the storm to pass. 

After the storm, it was beautiful outside, so we headed to the lake.  Tim surprised the kids with a little two-man boat he had bought for the lake.  They were thrilled!  A boat, a few sand toys, and a lake... what else do you need for a few hours of fun?  

Tim gave all the kids rides around the lake.  He tried to convince me to come with him, but I insisted that someone needed to be on the beach with the children.  :) 

(note: as much as I'm not a camping fan... I am definitely not a lake girl!)

These two had so much fun and got pretty brave! 

We had to call Kallan back to the beach a few times because he was going out too far! 

(yes... note that Kallan is not in his swimming suit.  I was sure my "Mr. Timid Around Water" would be happy just playing in the sand.  It made me smile to see how brave he got!)

After swimming we got cleaned up and got out the Smore supplies before heading to bed. 

There were smiles all around!

The next morning we got up bright and early to catch some fish.  Unfortunately, the fish were all still sleeping.  It was either that, or the fact we didn't bring worms, and they didn't like our left over hamburger and canned corn we tried to feed them.

This little fish did enjoy the canned corn though, and he thought it was a good snack.

After fishing, we found a park to hang out at and the kids found a giant toad to chase. 

There were lots of giggles over Mr. Toad.  I enjoyed staying WAY back and watching.

By the time we needed to check out of our caboose, we were ready to go home.  We were thankful for this amazing time as a family and for a great time to relax and enjoy nature. 



Even for this non-camping mama, I must say, we will need to go back again soon!

 

Swim Little Fish... SWIM!

For two weeks this summer, my little fish had swimming lessons!

We have been at a swim school for the last 5 years, so this was our first year at a new place.

I'm not good at change, especially when it comes to my kids,

but we were very excited about our new place for lessons, and all three had a great time!

 

This little fish wasn't the most daring fish in the sea, but he attempted to do everything the teachers asked him to do, except put his face in the water.  I don't think his hair ever got wet!  He was happy, listened well, got more comfortable with the water and swimming... so to me it was a success!

This little mermaid was just that... a swimmer!  She loved the water, and learned so much in these two weeks!  I was so excited for her!  Front swim, back float... even treading water in the deep end... she did great!

Liam thought he was "too old" for his class, but it was just what he needed.  He was able to fine tune some basic skills and his teachers said he really grew from the first day to the last.  I was pretty proud of him and all that he learned!

The last day of lessons was a "fun day" for everyone.  They turned on the water slides and let the kids have fun!  The little ones had a personal life guard to do everything with them.  (I wish it was that way all the time!)  I was surprised at how daring Kallan was after watching him at lessons.  He kept asking his teacher to go again and again... and he was all smiles the entire time! 

This little guy even got brave and asked his teacher if he could go off the diving board.  Yes... Kallan... the child who didn't get his face wet the whole two weeks!  He marched right up there and they "helped" him jump to his teacher.  He didn't cry, but he didn't want to do it again.  He told me he had to wait until he was four! :) 

Of course Liam loved all the slides!  For him, the hour ended too soon!

Ainsley also had a blast!  She loved the slides and had so much fun going down all of them!  It was fun to see her having such a great time!

Some of the cutest fish in the sea!  So glad they are mine!