Summer Fun

Overall, we had a great summer!  It was packed full of fun things like tennis camp, a vacation to Gatlinburg, swim lessons, three different VBS programs, a reading camp, lots of splashing in the pool, and loads of good times with family!  :)

Both of the kids won the summer reading contests this year!  Alex got first place for the first graders and Emily won for her entire elementary building (reading more than any third, fourth or fifth grader).  We are so proud of them, and I loved finding them out in the hammock together reading!  :)

 We found time to go strawberry picking, in between all the rain storms.  Unfortunately, the only day that worked for us and the rain was one of the only days that got above 90 degrees -- ouch!  But despite the heat, we got three buckets of strawberries picked!  Emily was a great helper, and Alex tried his best but got tired after picking a dozen berries.  It was a long hour at the strawberry field!!  ;)

 It was just too hot not to go out for ice cream after picking all those berries.  I made the mistake though of sitting outside and getting them chocolate dipped ice cream cones.  The ice cream ended up melting under the chocolate coating and it was a mess as soon as we walked outside.  But they were yummy and we had a great time!

No matter how busy the summer was, we always found time to go to our favorite park.  The kids practiced their new tennis skills and then ran off to play on the playground.  

 And of course there were loads of splashing fun in the pool -- especially for Alex and Trevor!  :)

 We tried a new ice cream stand one day and they put candy eyes on the kids' ice cream cones -- they thought it was the best thing ever!!  :)

 Nothing like a day at home - playing in the pool, picnic lunch in the grass, and then popsicles later.  They thought it was hilarious that I let them eat the popsicles in the pool -- it doesn't take much to please them!!  :)

 The kids aren't big fans of coconut but they were curious how to cut it and eat it.  So we went right out to get one and then showed them what to do.  They couldn't believe it was so difficult and they had a blast with it all, but they still don't like coconut or the coconut water.  Oh well!!