Summer Shenanigans

This has been a fun-filled summer!

July was jam-packed with family, friends, camps, and swimming.

Alexander increased his skills at the rec swim camp, and Nikolai officially became a swimmer through the school's swim camp

We started baking our own bread

Most of our loaves are not this large!

Our garden continues to thrive

Papa came to visit!

He helped with fixing the boys' bunk stairs and wrangling our crazy energy when it rained every single day

We met friends at the Christian Spectacular

Papa taught us new game and both boys loved it!

We have really gotten into games.  Pokemon, Go Fish, Rummy, board games; all the games!

We always love having Papa visit

Playing Bros Doing Bro Things

The day after Papa went, I headed in for surgery. It was planned, it was needed, and I was able to schedule it in a way that allows me to recover before school starts. Gammie moved in for two weeks to take care of the boys and me.

We sent Alexander to his first week of sleepover camp

One of his best buds went with him

The memories were endless. So many I can't even begin to go through all of his stories. I remember my own camp days and loved listening to all the fun he had!

Niko busied himself with some drawing while missing his brother

We were so excited when we got our boy back!

We had a special visit from our Deshazo fam!

Daisy is so loved by her cousins

Silly Gammie having as much fun as the kids at Bravery Kids Gym

Secret handshakes being created here

This is what I live for!  All the kids from the neighborhood hanging out at our house.

This is what summer is all about!

 

Vegas Visit, Summer 2024

 We have truly made Fayetteville home and have a lot going for us here, but our community in Las Vegas will always hold a piece of our hearts.  We have made a point to visit every year since we left, and it is one of the best parts of summer vacation!

There's no hiding our excitement as we begin our journey to visit the Parkies!

We began our visit in Emerald's beautiful backyard where the kids got to beat the heat in the water, we all got to reconnect with friends, and I got to take a sneak peek into our backyard, just to be sure it is being properly cared for should we get to return (prayers lifted!).

Had to beat the heat with some video game time

I am always amazed at the ease of the friendships in our Parkies group.  One of my friends said surely it's normal when kids have freedom for everyone to just get along.  Maybe most kids don't have the free range opportunity of this neighborhood, but I have never experienced anything like this group.  Different ages, different family styles, different skills and personalities; everyone included, respected, and appreciated. It is magical. Not to say there aren't skirmishes, but overall, it just feels so easy and natural.

Setting up for some fun before the heat of the day set in

Axe and Ninja Star throwing

Volleyball

Baseball

Staying with our besties!

I only took one shot with my girls and missed half of you!  I was so present in the moment, I often forgot to capture the images.

For our last day, we headed to the Y pool, which is where Alexander learned to swim at three years old.

All smiles

This amazing kid asked if I thought he could pass the swim test.  I told him I knew he could be close, but I wasn't sure if he could make it across the entire length of the pool. He only just learned to swim less than a month ago.  Well, he chose to give it a try. The lifeguards were so kind, walking beside him without making a big deal of careful observation.

He did it!

Funny enough, my photo memories popped up saying Alexander passed the same swim test exactly four years minus one day before Nikolai did. Two peas in a pod!

Passing the swim test allowed him to do the big water slides!

And the diving board!

Alexander mid-dive

Overnight flight home and a three-hour time change left us all a little jet-lagged

Our hearts are full as we begin the summer finale.

Parkies, we love you! Thanks for keeping our membership active!