10. Swim Lessons
Ella has had four weeks of swim lessons and she's done an awesome job. When she's not pretending she's a mermaid and completely ignoring her instructor, she's learned the basics of swimming including floating, kicking her legs, and using her arms. She has been our little fish. Her swim instructor, Josh, was very patient with our adventurous Elle. She kept telling him she was going to be a cowgirl so I think she was trying to be a cowgirl in the water, not so relevant to the lesson. We are glad he was patient!
Ella enjoying a snack after swimming
9. Lake
We were able to go to the lake twice this summer. We really enjoyed time with nana and papa, and a surprise visit from our cousins while we were there. We are hoping to make it back one more time before the season ends.
8. Cousins and more cousins
As noted in earlier posts, we have loved seeing our cousins! Mine and the girls. It's been a lovely summer of reunions.
7. Being Healthy
I've been enjoying time at the gym, trying to find healthy recipes, and trying to keep myself in check. I didn't lose any weight this summer as I'd hoped, but I didn't gain either. So I guess that's a good thing. Regardless of what the scale says, I feel healthy. My skin has enjoyed it's nice share of Vitamin D with all that time at the pool and on the hammock, and drinking plenty of water has felt good too. Now to carry on, and maybe even continue to lose like I was doing earlier in the year!
6. Pinterest= New Happy Place
I can't mention my summer favorites without a shout out to Pinterest, my new favorite "HAPPY PLACE." I absolutely LOVE getting lost in a world of photos and ideas from anything to design inspiration, tips and tricks for organizing, or recipes for the family. It's useful but also a lovely place to "get away" and dream a bit about where I want to travel, how I want to dress, and ultimately, reflect on the kind of person I'd like to be. It's super fun, and lacks the drama of Facebook (thank goodness).
5. VA Beach girls trip
Our girls trip was a blast! I will treasure the memories and look forward to years to come.
4. Reuniting with kindred spirits
I also got to have a mini reunion with Becca, Kristin, and Katie. These three girls are like sisters to me. Now that life has taken us in all different directions, I'm so glad we got to reunite for one short day. I have to say, since being married it's been so hard to find closeness in girlfriends like I had with these lovely ladies. No matter how much time passes, it really doesn't impact how close I feel to them. In fact, I may feel even closer as I realize how rare it is to find a friendship like theirs. We enjoyed visiting and watching our kids play, going to a yummy cupcake place, and getting dinner at a local italian restaurant. Our walking tour of Haymarket as we called it turned out to be an impromptu day of fun (minus the exhaustion of six kids under the age of four, but that's to be expected).
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these women!
My girls getting cupcakes. Ella my Diva, and Amelia pushing little Ben for a ride.
This was the cutest little place. We stumbled upon it really and it was so perfect for our day. There's a day spa next door and I'm thinking next girls reunion we leave the kids with the men and head there too!
Becca with her twin boys (ADORABLE), Little A, Ben, and Kristin!
3. Working only one day a week
For the past six weeks, I've only worked one day/week (if that), and a girl could really get used to this schedule. It's been AMAZINGLY wonderful. I have loved being home with my girls. Other than some of the above named events, our life has been very hum drum. Occasional trips to the store, swim lessons, and visits with friends, but most days we just hung out. We would play outside on the hammock, play games inside, or just cuddle up and watch a movie when it was unbearably hot. I have LOVED being home!
2. Shaun's promotion at work
Shaun got a promotion after just a few months at his job. We feel really hopeful that even more good things are on their way in regards to his career. He is feeling better about where things are headed, and I think for the first time in a long time, we both feel very hopeful for our future financially. Our hope is to save and move within the next year!
1. Family Time Together
I touched on this already, but it's worth mentioning twice. Being with my husband and girls is the best part of my life! I adore my girls. Sometimes I just stare at them and think, "I can't believe I'm their mom." They are beautiful, smart, full of life and personality. Sure, they can be very difficult, and cleaning my home with them is like brushing my teeth with oreos, but they are getting older and really doing a lot independently.
Ella has been a dream this summer. She's been much happier with me home. I don't know if that's why or if it's just her maturing, but she is really becoming quite the sweet four year old (MOST of the time). I love how curious she is about life and how her little mind is always thinking. It's so funny to hear her playing with her dolls. She can entertain herself for an hour or more most of the time, and she loves to watch movies with me while her sister sleeps.
Little A is talking all of the time and I'm understanding more and more of what she has to say. Her favorite phrase is, "I DID IT!" She gets so excited and animated about life and living. She wants to do everything her big sister does, including going potty. She's been going pee pee all by herself and we are so proud of her! She's proud of herself! She is loving and cuddly, but she also has spirit and strength just like her big sis (just a little softer version). She is an absolute delight!
Our family has enjoyed being together in all the little ways- from being at the pool together to just playing in our room in the mornings. Such sweet tender moments have been the best part of my summer!
So there you have it, my summer's top 10! While I'm not looking forward to returning to work, I am grateful to have a good job, and I'm very grateful for the wonderful summer we've been able to have together! My motto this year, "I will be grateful for this day." Enjoying these moments has made the summer that much more special!
No comments:
Post a Comment