Summer Lovin…

This song is my fave right now. ♥

We just finished our swimming lesson session. It was AWESOME. Until today, diving board day. It pushed Brooklyn a little too far. It didn’t go over well. Hope she will try again next year?! There were tears, screaming,a meltdown and more tears. Felt so bad for her. I kind of have a phobia of deep water myself, so I can’t blame her. The diving board looks so high when you actually get up there!

We are checking things off our summer bucket list left and right. We’ve been having a lot of fun, but I’m ready for a little slower pace of life. I like to be busy, but I also like to have those lazy days lounging around on the porch eating popsicles and running through sprinklers and we haven’t had many of those days yet! 

Camping feet. Can only mean one thing… they’ve had way too much fun!!

We had a super fun 4th of July. One of my favorite holidays- well who am I kidding? I say that about EVERY holiday that rolls around. I really do love the parades, the fireworks,the BBQ’s, dressing the kids up in red white and blue and the patriotic feeling rushing through the crowds.

 

One thing I forgot I was going to blog about was a new discipline method we are using.

These are our “Good Bean/Bad Bean Jars”

If the kids do something they shouldn’t they have to put a bad bean in the jar, when I catch them being good they put one in the good bean jar, when we decide it’s time to do something extra fun like go to the movies or to the water park etc. We check their good and bad bean jars to see which one is more full. So far it’s helped me out a ton this summer. It’s kind of nice too, because the other day Brooklyn came and told me about something naughty she had done. So for telling the truth she got to put in two good beans, but she still had to put in a bad bean too, for doing something she wasn’t supposed to. Thanks to my sister in law Linda for the great idea! It really helps the kids be accountable for their own actions.

We also had a BIRTHDAY in our house! My favorite boy turned 32. They just don’t come any better than him. Love him so much. To celebrate we had a few people over for a little crab boil. It was so fun. Definitely be doing it again soon. Go HERE for the recipe.

Monday Update…

In list form because heaven knows I LOVE my lists! ;)

1. Repentance Handout for Young Women- you are more than welcome to click on the picture to enlarge it & have it printed- this is a 4x6 size. Super cute to attach to a real orange or the mini orange slices.

2. Tried to “clean up” the look of our blog. (see top right under the blog banner) Still working on it- but LOVING the new PAGES feature on blogger. Here is a simple tutorial if you want to try it on your own blog.

3. Won a photo session with the talented Natalie of Excursion Photography- you can check out some of the pics HERE.

More to come when I get my disc! SO FUN!

You can’t tell me these two aren’t brother and sister! ha! Crazy how much they look alike!

4. Had fun decorating for an Ice Cream Social for the women at our church.

to make your own bunting banner go here for a free printable pattern.

also a cute tutorial on how to make ice cream cones from balloons. Go HERE.

Our summer has been full of fun.

trips to the splash park &

sleepovers with cousins.

Smore’s with neighbors.

drive in movies.

 

Fro Yo @ Kiwi Loco!

trips to the zoo.

a day out with old friends- Kate & I have been BFF’s since 1st grade!

Lunch @ Gator Jack’s YUM! we also checked out a new botique & picked up some bling.

 

Attended my 10 yr. High School Reunion! SO MUCH FUN!!!

4th of July Fesitivites

treats! click on the pics for the recipes.

Summer is wearing me out- but in a very very good way! We’ve got more fun planned! Sunshine, popsicles, swimming, gardening – I just don’t think life can get much better! Are you enjoying your summer?

4th of July FUN…

Need some 4th of July inspiration? All these came from Pinterest! click on any of the pictures for tutorials & recipes!! I am SO in love!!!! Hopefully in the next day or two I’ll show you what I’ve been cooking up for my family! :) Enjoy your day!

 

 

Picnic Ideas:

 

 

 

Decor:

 

Oh my word! SO patriotic & fun… definitely should have started on this stuff a month ago! ha! :) And this is just the beginning of all the ideas I’ve come across! I’m telling you. Pinterest is where it is at! :)