Bug Boxes

We love Home Depot Saturday Projects 

We made bug boxes. They boys took them home excited to find bugs. 

When we didn't find bugs outside they found the plastic bugs in the playroom and had some wonderful, fun imaginative play. 

Independence Day!

It'll start you out on the 3rd: 

It was pretty wet and rainy. On the third,  but we braved the sprinkles and by accident ended up with a perfect front row seat for some pretty nice fireworks. 

We watched from the car for a while, but it was even better to stand in the mist. 

On the fourth, the weather was better so we were beach bound. 

After the beach we enjoyed dinner and the outdoors with friends. The boys loved sparklers! 

June Joys

When we weren't gallivanting around Florida during June we were filling our days with activities at or around home. 

I love that my boys like the library. We kept a close eye on the activities at the library at the beginning of the summer. Seeing the magician was one of Joshua's favorite things. 

We went to a new park near our house and the family we met there brought a soccer ball. They let us borrow it even after they left. 

Joshua's biggest critic was himself. 

Play dough out on the lanai. 

Legos in the playroom. 

Paws reading at the library. Joshua loves dogs, but I'm allergic. Reading to the dogs at the library is great. 

Painting

Writing 

Lots of bubble baths

Movie nights sharing daddy's chair

Pinterest-y snacks like watermelon sticks 

And some reflection time. 

I didn't write a post in spring because there were so many things going on in Joshua's head and I was waiting for things to settle a bit. 

Joshua had twin classmates who were both boys. One of the brothers was diagnosed with brain cancer. We spent nights praying asking God to be with Kase and bring his family good news. As it became evident that Kase's time on earth was coming to a close we asked God to be with Kase, his family, and especially his twin brother Knox. Oh that I would have a childlike faith. Michael and I tearfully tried to answer the big questions for our 4 year old son. I let Michael handle most of them because I answered many kindergarten questions while at school. One night weeks after Kase had passed and many of the questions had subsided Joshua suggested that we pray for Kase. I told him we no longer needed to pray for him because he was now enjoying the perfection of heaven. With tears in his eyes he said, "We can pray for Kase! Jesus has the power to raise people from the dead!" How could I argue with that. I did steer his prayer a bit, but his firm conviction was a bit inspiring. Months later Joshua was drawing and he asked me how to spell Kase. I answered him and asked what he was up to. Joshua had drawn a picture of a house and said, "I just bet Kase is having the best time ever up in heaven." 

Check?

See, I haven't forgotten you. You were on my list of things to accomplish this weekend. Sadly, it's 10:33 and my eyelids have this weight pulling them down. So, that's all I have for tonight. You are weighing on my heart. I feel like everyday another part of the stories I have saved up will go missing.

And just like that....

It's over.

Quickly before I close my eyes...

Summer is over. 

It went too fast. 

In the morning the routines start. 

I tried to make the most of all 82 days. 

There are certainly items left unchecked on my to do list, but ready or not tomorrow starts another school year. 

I'm ready. The boys are ready too. 

Let's do it!

We said goodbye to summer with a quick beach trip...

Silas has had enough of my summer paparazzi. He was ready to head home. 

Before bed we looked at our pictures of the wonderful things we did and talked about how great our summer was.   

Sunny days and sprinkler

Actual date: somewhere in June (June 18 to be exact. That's right I haven't shared anything from July, August, or September) I may share stories from the summer, or I may never get to them but here's one. 

I went into the  summer bright eyed and bushy tailed and enthusiastic to do something special everyday. I wanted to make all 82 days of summer count. My ambition was to take at least a picture everyday. 

The boys loved the sprinkler. Nothing fancy. Drinking water from the hose soaking up the sun. We played for a long time. 

Bike Rides

He thinks  he's hot stuff riding around the block, tricks and all.