Summer is here!

We have officially declared June 1 as the first day of summer and last year we celebrated with a fun scavenger hunt since it was on Radley's bucket list. The kids loved it so much that we decided to do it again. Ryan got home from work and I had placed clue #1 in the mail for Ryan to "find" and give to the kids. They jumped up with so much excitement and ready to go...

The big difference this year? This kid read all the clues!!!

I wrote them while Radley napped that day so my creativity wasn't at its finest and all of the treasures were things we had on hand.

Like colored hairspray from rainbow day at school, but they.were.THRILLED!

The next clue took them outside so we could spray their hair.

Emmy wanted her hair down so she would look like a princess. 

Landry was content with just her pony being pink.

And then we handed out the bubbles and they went to town.

It was so simple and such a great reminder that all the kids really need is us. Our time. Our attention. 

Our eyes watching them so that they feel safe and loved.

Radley was pretty good at getting a ton of bubbles.

Landry, well... how cute does she look?

Emmy caught a bubble on her wand - and that somehow made her like Elsa, because clearly.

One quick rock star pose and then we headed inside to make some pizza.

It was maybe one of my favorite Monday's of all time. 

Until Darth Vader showed up to ruin the fun.

;)

Our last clue lead us to the living room where we were instructed to make our new bucket list. 

Items include:

1.     Family round of golf

2.     Visit Miss Shanon and take the train to the zoo

3.     Camp out in the treehouse

4.     Kids' weekend at Gigi and Pops’

5.     Visit 3 new parks

6.     Try new snow cone flavors

7.     Make s’mores around camp fire

8.     Go fishing

9.      Pop fire works/sparklers

10.  Family water fight

11.  Make sun tea

12.  Skip Day/PJ Day

13. Yes Day

14.  Lemonade Stand

15. Visit the beach

16.  Visit a splash pad

17.  Build a sandcastle

18.  Go to a movie matinee

19.  Visit the library

20.  Take a road trip

And we may keep adding. What's on your bucket list? We'd love some fun ideas!

Swim champs...

We have been super busy for a slow summer. Our first week off, Radley had golf camp in the morning and then all 3 kiddos had swim lessons in the evening. I knew it was going to make for a long week, but I really wanted to kiddos to get lessons in early so they would be comfortable in the water all season long. 

And boy is this kid comfortable in the water.

He listened so well to Coach Courtney was so eager to learn new strokes and games. I basically couldn't get a picture of his head above the water. 

This chick on the other hand, I couldn't get a picture of her head IN the water. But she thought this bug was really cool.

Future olympian? Maybe, more likely to be a marine biologists researching the ocean!

Yeah. This one. 

She is in a MOMMY stage. (Or should I say that she hasn't gotten out of her MOMMY stage). She didn't love the lessons. She did pretty good, but she wasn't near as courageous as I was hoping she would be. 

She sure is cute eating that PB&J though.

She's also really into whatever Emmy is doing so we ended up letting them take lessons together.

But day one, Emmy wanted to swim with her friends.

Caleb, Emmy and Kailyn did great!

They were all so brave and listened so well to Coach Courtney.

Meanwhile, this chick was trying to show-off (now that it wasn't her turn).

She thought she would get some cross-training in.

I can't believe how big she has gotten.

Day two was a different story, because with goggles, anything is possible.

And Landry went in with no fear!

Emmy was "swimming" so well!

And they both were brave and did big jumps in the water.

Thanks for a great week, Coach Courtney!

Dear Emersyn...

My sweet Emersyn -

We had a deal. 

You PROMISED me that you would stay "twee". You even said "fo-ever". 

And then you went and turned four. And while it's true - you ROCKED at being three - I know that you are going to be FABULOUS at FOUR!!! 

I adore the way you want to wear a dress for everything.

And spawkly sandals with your hair braided, or down, or in a "Tinana" bun. 

You like having your toes painted. You adore playing dress up and think that every day should be spent being a "pincess". 

Oh yes - you are as girly as they come and you kinda figured out that everyone thinks you are adorable, but so far you have used these powers for good. My prayer for you is that your beauty that is within outshines the beauty that we see. I think of your sweet KK, and pray that you grow into a woman like her - of faith and kindness. Of sincerity and strength. Of great beauty both inside and out. 

You are also very smart. You love practicing your letters and are so good at signing your name. You pick up on things that I don't expect you to. You try your best at everything. You never quit. You figure out how to accomplish any task, even if it means climbing up the cabinets. You love helping your teachers and me. Whenever I am doing a project or task you ask if you can help. Whether it's cooking, cleaning, folding laundry or unloading the car. You love being big. You love playing teacher.

Your kindness knows no bounds. You are gentle with Landry and put up with any and everything she does to you. If she gets in trouble you are sure to let us know to be patient because she's "only a baby". You HAVE to give Radley a hug and kiss good night when you walk to your room. You won't go to sleep until I hold you - for 5 minutes or 5 seconds, it doesn't matter. But you want me to hold you and it's one of my favorite parts of the day. 

I told you I was sad that you turned 4 because I wanted you to be 3 forever so that you would always be my little girl. You grabbed my face with your tiny, tender hands and said, "but I'm still your little girl" as if you knew that was exactly what my heart needed to hear. 

Oh sweet Emersyn, how thankful we are for you! I pray that you know how loved you are by each of us and am thrilled to see what this year holds for you!!