Capstone to Christmas in July

 Our Christmas in July was fun at home, but there was more fun to be had out and about. We took the kids to their very first fair! C got tickets for us to all go see For King & Country for his birthday. They're one of our favorite music groups. 

As luck would have it, the fair was about an hour and half away but some friends were going too so we caravanned up there. PLUS, another one of our friend's grew up in this small town, so we could park at his parent's house. Which was SUPER close to the fair and didn't require any fees. Total win! 

We got fair food! 

Zach Williams was the opener. We enjoy his music as well, but we think in "Fear is a Liar" that it sounds like he says "Geyona" several times. I've thought this for years. And then... when he sang it live all four of us just busted up laughing because especially live, it was definitely "Geyona" 

We had a really fun time! 

And then For King & Country came out and they were great. 

M sang her heart out along with them! 

I loved it so much! We all did. Our seats were really great. We could see really well! And praising Jesus with so many other people is really special. Our Catholic was showing a bit, we're not really an arms over our heads in praise kinda people but that's okay. 

Then, for an encore, Luke came out and said... "Merry Christmas in July everybody." And then they Little Drummer Boy-d the heck out of us. 

It was AWESOME! Plus on the drive back, following our friends through the cornfields, the moon was so cool. This is obviously a terrible picture but trust me. 

We got home SUPER late. And yesterday we all felt it. My kids were so proud to sleep in until 6:30 but it wasn't enough. (Though that is actually sleeping late for them.) Last night 3/4 of us went to bed by 7:30 and slept until about 6:30 so... today is a happier place to be. 

Merry Christmas in July

July 25... otherwise known as Christmas in July! I set up the little tree with summer felt ornaments and flamingo lights. 

There was one family present to be had. Because it's fun! 

It was soft rubber Bocce Ball for all surfaces. (We have a sidewalk right down our backyard and I worried that regular bocce balls would crack. Plus, these can even be used indoors!) They're really nice and still have a good weight to them.

We had Christmas in July "cookies" or Watermelon Gingerbread Men. What a lovely little treat, perfect for the high heat and humidity of the day. 

And we watched a Christmas Classic (Home Alone) because why not?! 

We're just having a fun little day here! I hope you are as well! 

Not Much To Tell

Well... the title kind of says it all. There isn't much to tell. The last day of swimming lessons was stormed out today which is a bummer. 

Me and my girl took some silly selfies while we waited for her lesson to begin. 

She also got herself a $5 ukulele this week. Listening to her say ukulele is the best. "Yoke-lele" "Uke-larry" Oh she's great.  

This dude got to visit his favorite dog friend Jess this past weekend. And he liked that quite a lot. 

He was less of a fan of the new puppy Bo. Bo has a very handsome face, but has reiterated to us that we are not a puppy people. I think everyone we know has gotten a dog in the last 2 years. We are loving the visiting and then going home to a puppy free zone. 

It's good to know your limits! 

Anyway, Happy Thursday, have a marvelous day!

The Fourth

 Our Holiday was low key and choc full of traditions. Exactly the way I like it. 

We made our traditional Strawberry Poke Flag Cake. 

We watched The Music Man. 

We had an abundance of glow sticks and light up wands. 

And we watched Macy's fireworks on television this year as always. No crowds. No bugs. Admittedly, I thought the show wasn't that great this year, whoever was directing had too many shots of the musicians and the Empire State Building and not enough of the fireworks. But whatever. Fireworks in my living room is still my favorite kind. 

We are thankful for our country and all the good things about it. 

Summer Camp and Other Fun

 On Sunday we dropped off C for his very first sleepaway camp experience! It was a mini camp, so just 48 hours and 2 sleeps which I thought was a good way of seeing how he’d do. Camp was a BIG part of my childhood and I loved it. I really want my kids to have the same kind of experience, but I also know that everyone is different.

But you know what? For the most part I think he really enjoyed it. And he is wanting to go back next year which is the indicator that he did have a good time. Here is a little before and after.

Sure, not a lot of sleep was had. (Yay fitbits for tracking that!) But any time you have to learn to sleep in a room with a bunch of people it’s an adjustment for sure.

M is DYING for her turn to go. She can go next year when she is going into second grade. Going into third grade is the last year you’re eligible for mini camp so I am thankful we could get C there this summer. M’s personality is such that if I had to drop her off for a week, she’d be fine. (Though she has no choice but to be a mini-camper next year.) I am glad they have the shorter offerings for kids to see what camp is all about before they commit to a week away. 

C's personality is such that 2 days was the perfect first experience for him. He doesn't love the unknown and will be 100% more contented next year now that he knows his way around the camp and what to expect. 

The only downside to the camp experience was that the camp was supposed to be posting pictures, but they only posted a few on Monday and nothing since. Yes, he's home but I still would love to see what he got to do you know? 

This was the only glimpse I had: 

It was hard to discern how he was doing by half of his forehead and one eye. I don't think there's parent feedback but that would definitely be mine. They even have an app to post the pictures and still on Wednesday there are NONE from this week. Why even have an app? (Especially for the first time nervous moms who are refreshing every ten minutes.)

It was a new camp for our family. Since we aren't from the area we weren't familiar but a lot of the kids from our school and parish love it. C's teacher  this past year even worked there! In fact, while C didn't know anyone in his cabin, there were 5 girls from his grade all there at the same time which was comforting to me that at least there were some familiar faces there. 

Overall, he loved the Craft Barn and hated Dodgeball but still wants to go back and try some of the other activities! I am so happy that it went well. He was so serious at the closing program I wasn't sure how he was feeling about it. 

While C was gone, M got spoiled. We went to dinner, to Five Below, she got to paint. And we even saw a rainbow and honest to blog I don’t know that I’ve ever actually seen one before. Husband was aghast at how excited I was. But it was really cool okay?

The perfect way to wrap up a busy June! Bring on July!

VBS Week is OVER!

 Hey!! Can you believe June is nearly over? 

This week was a BUSY and fun one because it is VBS week! 

We had a great time learning to Trust Jesus! I mean, I am exhausted. But the kids had fun and I am so so thankful to be able to have made it work to be there with them. 

A Busy and Fun Weekend!

Saturday was JAM packed full of things to do. We woke up super early and headed off to pick strawberries! We've been going to this new place for 5 years now. It takes about an hour to get there but if you drive about an hour in another direction to the strawberry patch most of our friends go to... the price DOUBLES! ($2.50 vs $4.50 a pound!) That's insane. 

Did we get McDonald's breakfast to eat on the drive? Yep we did! It was a successful trip. We had hoped to get there as they opened, pulled up at 8:02 (they opened at 8:00) and the parking lot was already full!! So we had to wait in a line to get taken out to the patch but... still worth it. 

After getting home, having a little snack, showering and resting... we went to see Elephant and Piggie's "We Are in A Play." 

We liked it! Then we went out for linner/dunch and that was SO tasty!! I didn't take any pictures of that though. 

Then still later that evening, we went out to see "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" at a totally different theatre. 

And you know what? We loved this one too! And what a treat to see a double feature. Theatre is back!! 

We had an excellent family day and I am so thankful for it!