Day 1673 | Smiles with a Gap
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Aren’t these two the cutest with their missing-tooth smiles? Also, Chase likes wearing giant t-shirts these days. That is all.
Day 1672 | Summer 2019 Bucket List
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I wouldn’t say we had the best first day of summer around here. I thought maybe a low-key day with nothing on the agenda would be the right way to ease into our months of freedom. As it turns out, the boys were not interested in being bored all day (on the first day!). Fingers crossed we get into a better routine around here or it’s going to be a long few months. Don’t worry, though, I’m hopeful tomorrow will be much better.
We’ve decided to put together a bucket list again this year (like we did in 2016) as a way of making sure we motivate ourselves to get out there and seize these beautiful and fleeting days. Without further ado, and in no particular order…
The Summer 2019 Bucket List
Go fishing — done!
Go mini golfing
Go swimming — done!
Catch frogs
Look for new animals
Playdate with Malcolm
Attend a baseball game
Go bowling
Make a movie
Make homemade ice cream
Lots of playdates with Edwin
A Fairfax Pool trip
Go camping
Bike to get ice cream
Go to a family wedding
Sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa’s
Attend Harry Potter’s Birthday at the public library
Go tubing down the river by our house
Attend Chalkfest
Walk/bike the sculpture tour
Attend a summer concert (at least one)
Practice stand up paddle boarding
Read three new chapter books
Take a Mississippi River day trip
Visit the Upper Peninsula
Go strawberry picking
Go blueberry picking
There you have it! We’re going to be busy, that’s for sure. I’ll keep you posted as we make progress.
Day 1671 | Ga-ga Ball Action
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The adults and kids got in on the ga-ga ball action today—in a real ga-ga ball ring and everything. It was epic to say the least.
Now I get why the boys like it so much.
Day 1670 | Summer Begins
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Today might have been the perfect summer day. A morning bike ride (with donuts), fishing and swimming at the lake, lunch over a bonfire, dining al fresco, and a rowdy game of gaga ball to round out the night.
Seriously, such a good day. If this is any indication of the type of summer in store for us, it’s going to be an epic one.
Day 1669 | Last Day of School
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Ready or not...summer is here! I’m super excited about hanging out with these two crazy guys all day every day.
Day 1668 | Kubb
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Chase and I are the family Kubb champions. Look it up, it’s a really fun yard game.
Day 1667 | Blossom
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He’s still around, in case you were worried. And Robbe is still very interested in becoming best friends (I am, too, for the record). We’re working through a bit of a nibbling stage at the moment, but I’m confident he’ll turn the corner soon.
Day 1666 | Bikers
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This was the other big accomplishment of the weekend: new bikes!
And not only that, but Robbe is *this close* to officially riding a two-wheeler. We’ve had two good days of practice and I think after one more session of Chris chasing after him, he’ll be good to go. Can you imagine no more training wheels?!?
I see lots of family bike rides in the future.
Day 1665 | Broiler Fest
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We weren’t planning on making a trip to the Eleva Broiler Fest (the festival in the town right next to mine growing up), but when all three nieces are in the parade (and one of them is celebrating her 16th birthday!!), you load up the car and fight your way through the chaos.
It was a beautiful day for a town festival. In the two hours we were there, corn dogs were consumed, the boys played a couple of carnival games (and won some sweet snakes), and we scored an impressive haul of candy during the parade.
Our little family had a really lovely day overall. More details on today’s other adventures tomorrow—I can only fit so many photos in one collage.
Day 1664 | Summer Has Arrived
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What do you do on the first 90 degree day of the year? Go swimming, of course! Thanks to Uncle Jim and Aunt Lynn, we had quite the pool party.
It’s going to be a great summer. I have a good feeling about it.
Day 1663 | Making Friends
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Today was a good day for our relationship with Blossom. I think he’s starting to realize how awesome we are. We played with him several times and he even climbed right onto our hands when we tried to get him out of the cage. Definitely making progress!
Day 1662 | A Hamster
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That’s right. We have a new member in our family. Meet Blossom Dandelion. He’s a Winter White hamster and he’s adorable.
Robbe has been lobbying for quite some time to bring a hamster into this house. We’ve done tons of deliberating, and researching, and budgeting surrounding the new little guy and finally we just had to go for it.
The transition has been a bit tough so far. Turns out you need to leave new hamsters alone for a couple of days when you first bring them home. Even though we were well aware of this (thanks library books!), it’s still hard to do. We all want to be your best friend, Blossom! LOVE US!!!
We’re trying to keep our enthusiasm in check. Really trying. And I think it’s working. We brought him home yesterday afternoon and already he’s more interested in us and doesn’t seem to be scared to death. That’s good, right?!?
I’ll keep you posted on our best friend status. Fingers crossed!
Day 1661 | Hitting Pitches
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No more tees for these two. One practice session of hitting pitches this afternoon and they’re practically experts. Too bad no one wanted to take baseball this summer—looks like we’ll just have to keep practicing in grandpa’s backyard.
Day 1660 | My View After Dinner
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It’s hard to beat this.
Day 1659 | Goofing Around
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We got to spend all afternoon and evening with these friends and we couldn’t be happier about it.
Day 1658 | Pottery Class
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My mom and I are taking a six-week pottery class (at this amazing place)! It’s been on our to-do list for a couple of years (ugh), but we’re finally doing it (yay).
Tonight we learned pottery wheel throwing and slab pottery techniques. I’m really excited about this. And we’ve got five more weeks to hone our craft! Stay tuned for finish product photos.
Day 1657 | Color
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When it’s raining (again) , what you really need is a bit of color in your life. Hope this brightens your day.
Day 1656 | Demonstration Speech
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Chase checked his annual 4-H demonstration speech off the list tonight. This year’s topic? How to make Mr. Mans. It was Chase’s choice and he did a great job brainstorming the outline of his speech, creating the poster, practicing, and then presenting it (at last). With the help of his trusty visual aid holder, he had no fear standing in front of the crowd. It was pretty awesome to witness.
I won’t say he had the smoothest finished product but he was happy with it and that’s the important thing. A link to the speech is below for your enjoyment. I also included a second video where Chase shows exactly what Mr. Man is (it’s hard to see in the video).
We’re very proud of our big guy tonight. :)
Day 1655 | One Year
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It’s been a full year since we said goodbye to Chris’s dad. Somehow it feels like much longer than that and not nearly that long simultaneously. We’ve been spending the weekend reminiscing and enjoying the quality time together. I’m so grateful for family.
Day 1654 | Five Year Old Style
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Robbe was really feeling his outfit today. I feel like you can see the confidence exuding from him in the photo. A seal on his t-shirt (he was excited it was a real photograph and not a graphic), a shark tooth necklace (or a velociraptor claw necklace, depending on who you ask), and secret spy sunglasses.
It was pretty sweet.
