The Rest of Summer...

First, you must go here.

And watch the video.

Just so that the tune is stuck in your head.

(Because, good gravy, is it ever stuck in mine).

***

There are 79 days of summer vacation
And school comes along just to end it.
So the annual problem for our generation,
Is finding a good way to spend it.

Like maybe:

Sewing scripture bags

Dressing up for the End-of-Summer Party at the library

(Grace is D.W. from Arthur and Adam is Dan from The 39 Clues)

Collecting cicada shells

Attending the "Craft Buffet" at the library

Spitting cantaloupe seeds

Writing our own book

Having a summer scavenger hunt

(One of the tasks was to make/use cup phones)

Visiting the museum

(we went to the Las Vegas Natural History Museum with friends)

Playing SPUD

Blowing snake bubbles

Participating in the 2nd Annual W* Family Summer Olympics

Mike won. Again. But, it was pretty close!

Having a sponge fight

Getting family pictures taken

(I don't have a scanner. But, believe me. They aren't blurry.)

Going on a hike on Mt. Charleston

Looking at the meteor shower

Visiting Lake Mead

Going camping

Making a time capsule

Sewing pillowcases for charity

(We sewed for ConKerr Cancer. More info here)

Eating snow cones

Making melted-crayon rocks

Tie-dying shirts

Buying new school shoes

Having our back-to-school FHE

(We talked about how not to judge a new friend from the way they look and ate Pillow Cookies. Which are chocolate chip on the outside and brownie on the inside.)

Going to an ice cream party

Having a water fight

Playing frisbee golf

Going bowling

Buying school supplies

Going to the dollar theatre (Kung Fu Panda 2)

Attending the Pioneer Day carnival

Celebrating Christmas in July

(we watched Christmas movies while drinking hot cocoa, read Christmas books, had a White Elephant candy bar exchange, listened to Christmas music)

Attending the music concert at the library

Seeing the lions (at MGM Grand)

Attending the "Make Your Own Fun" program at the library

Having a back-to-school dinner

(We had a special dinner, read The Kissing Hand, Mike gave them back-t0-school Father's blessings, and then we had kissing hand cookies for dessert)

(We also sewed a library book bag, bought school clothes, went on a family bike ride/walk, and video-taped our family)

***

I won't lie.

There were plenty of times that I nearly went crazy this summer.

Adam and Grace learned how to play "the copying game", "jinx!", and "opposite day".

They fought approximately 1,453,860 times.

It was ridiculously hot, so they were stuck inside in the afternoons. When Josh had to take a nap.

When we would pick Mike up from work at the end of the day, I think I told him, "I quit" at least once a week.

BUT...

When I look back at all of the pictures, I don't remember those things.

I remember when I laughed so hard I couldn't breathe when we had a sponge fight. Grace's triumphant yell when she won the running race in our Summer Olympics. Josh's giggle while he fed the ducks. Adam's face after he was baptized.

I loved this summer.

I loved having a fun activity to do every day. I loved having a plan. I loved that we grew closer as a family. I loved that we had some structure, learned some new things, and made some memories.

I loved the moments when all three of them would gather around me, while we read a book or talked.

It was heaven.

Even if it only lasted a few minutes until one person got pushed the other.

I can honestly say I have no regrets about this summer; I think we really did do it all.

And, it's the first time that I'm sad summer is over. I love fall and cooler weather, but I'm just not ready to let go of the summer yet.

But, since school starts bright and early tomorrow, I think I'm going to have to take down our poster and get ready for fall fun!

(Until next June, anyways).