JuLy...WOW!

Next Thursday I go back to school...it has been a longer summer, but when I think about it- I feel like we just got out of school! Honestly, I think we (our fam) are ready for a routine! The kids don't actually begin until August 20th...

I am excited to be the Library Media Specialist at Summerdale this year. I can actually call it "home" now- Mom has been busy making curtains and it is looking really good! I want the students to LOVE coming in and getting books. We have TONS of new books to add to the collection thanks to Title I funds and a grant written last year. I am VERY excited about getting them out for the students to see!!

Now, thinking back to July...

Blaine enjoyed getting to stay in Foley and take a little golf clinic. He really enjoys golf...it's hard to say that with some of the other team sports. I think he likes playing soccer and baseball, but right now he REALLY enjoys golf and asks to play it. I hope this continues for him. He and I have been reading Smells Like Dog and Smells Like Treasure together this summer. They are fabulous books! He reads Flat Stanley, Hank the Cow Dog, and The Boxcar Children on his own. I hope he continues his motivation to read in 3rd grade!

Sarah Claire decided she wanted to take an acrobat class this summer.

There were only four girls in her class. She is signed up for the flips class at Little Gym in the Fall. I really want her to have a chance to try gymnastics...we shall see! She is continuing dance...she loves that! It has been so good to listen to her become a more fluent reader this summer. We've been doing lots of First Grade level reading...I really hope she "takes off" this year! Her confidence is picking up- her favorite books this summer are Madeline, Pinkalicious, Kevin Henkes books, and she loves Dick and Jane...

She and Blaine took an art class for three days and came home with some fabulous art work that is now hanging in their hallway upstairs!

Anna Britten's ballet class...her expression says it all...

She loved everything about dance- She also went to a Barnyard camp at Little Gym. She loves Little Gym, so she will also be taking a class there after Sarah Claire.

We went to Sea, Sand, and Stars with cousins...the kids got to see fish, take a nature walk, touch all kinds of sea life- including a sting ray.

Fun times!!

We celebrated Catie Beth's birthday with a FUN cousin party!

Sarah Claire lost her first tooth this month!

Short bob for Sarah Claire heading into school!

My three kiddos! What a summer!

Monthly update...JUNE

 Here is a JUNE review... I am posting it mid-July!!!

Mark and I took a trip to Hawaii with Mindy and David. We had a blast! We spent most of the time on the Big Island. We did do an Island hop to Oahu to see Pearl Harbor...it was amazing! What memories we made!

When we came back to the Big Island, we drove to the Hilo side of the Big Island to Volcanoes National Park...what a day! We had the best pancakes ever for breakfast on our way, stopped at a beautiful waterfall, and then saw some amazing sites in the park!

We went to Kona the next day...Mindy learned to surf, I relaxed on the black sand beach, and the boys snorkeled.

Our luau and pictures from our resort..

Our resort on the Big Island was fantastic!! There was so much to do...it was very family oriented. you could astually swim with the dolphins. We watched some children interact with the dolphins one day- so neat! I think the kids would have loved staying there! It was such a wonderful trip- I hope to go back one day!

It was welcome back to reality when we got home, but it was so good to see the kids! Here's a picture of Mark working and the kids helping- ha!!

We celebrated Father's day with swimming and grilling out! Mark got his favorite...sweettarts and root bear!

The next week Bible School began...Amazing Wonders- so much fun!

This picture was taken after Anna Britten had her gastro test- she is having some tummy issues and we are trying to get some answers! Sweet girl- she had to lie still for about 40 minutes and have an IV- she did great!

 Fun with friends!

We went to the beach and enjoyed time with family. It was fun to see Mary Grayson! She is so big!

Anna Britten has been taking a ballet class and loves it!!

Sarah Claire has been taking an acro class and went to a tumbling/cheerleading camp at Gem of Champions.

We've also been reading and going to the library.

Summer has been busy, but that's okay- I need to keep these three busy!