rounding out July

Tomatoes stayed green FOREVER this season.  So I did what any good Southern cook would do...made Fried Green Tomatoes.  Kind of like the "when life hands you lemons..." saying.  They were really good, but my house stunk for the whole weekend like a carnival.  Need to work on that.

 Doesn't matter that it is in the shop.  The kids sit on it like they are driving someplace.

 More Mule rides for the family.

 And mowing of the driveway.

 and praying to Mary in the cemetery.

 And laying down to play with his car.  Like a boy.

And the tiara and sunglasses are becoming a regular on the scooter rides.

 Finally!!!

 And this sweet boy is sleeping more and more.  He is enjoying the outdoor couch and breeze, that's for sure.

 Jack is even taking his baby on the road.

 And this sweet girl is gearing up for kindergarten.  This was the day of her screening.

 total boy.

 a yummier cobbler.  Matt prefers the pie.  I prefer any!

 Silly willies.

 And a new haircut for his school year!  Preschool  This year.  CRAAAAAZY!

girls trip

Kate and Jack had their doctor's appointments in Nashville and prior to, Kate, Mom and I went down and stayed the night at the Opryland Hotel and did some school shopping.  Kate has a lot to learn about shopping.  She did not enjoy it nearly as much as she should have.  She told her daddy I made her go in "100 stores" to look at stuff.  And, I made her try on clothes.  Guess the life of the Internet shopper has not worked to my total advantage.  

 Girlfriend was able to pick out her new BIG GIRL backpack and against her mama's choice, her MOM bought her light-up tennis shoes, which promptly went on her feet and were worn with all dresses we brought.

 And, that is how we rolled.

 Oh...and Mom got jack these lovely jammies.  A friend of mine said it best:  what Mom buys, Mom keeps at her house.  I think that sounds best!

little miss tennis

In between dance camps, cheer camps, and swim team, Kate took four weeks of tennis clinics.  She loved every minute of that, too.  It helps that the club has fun pros to teach the kids and that part of the time was spent doing relays and fun games.  And that the Gator was driven by the cool pros to haul the kids to the courts on the hot days.  

Yes, little miss athlete had a good summer!

a little bit of that

 Notice stealthy Drake, just waiting for an Oreo.  He can hear the package opening from the other room and has to split them with me.  THAT is why the package goes so quickly, not because I am eating them ALL!

 See, the corn is this tall!  A little sidewalk chalk pit stop on our walk.

 Heading up the hill. Jack walks to and from the gate daily.  And when we bring him in, he cries like he is being beaten.  I am lucky to have two kiddos who love to be outside.  And I am lucky we are living at a place where we can be outside so often.  Even in the heat of the day, we have a breeze on the hill.

 Here is the "I don't want to go home" face.  Every time.

Don't be alarmed with the makeup on Kate.  She did dance camp for the week that Matt was gone, and during that time, she lost her third tooth.  She wanted to take a picture and send it to Mom.  She needs to work on the selfies a bit (or join the group Twisted Sister).

 And that darn corn...it just keeps growing!  Jack walks into the corn every time we walk and tells us how tall it is.  OK, that is what I assume he is saying.

I love the next series of shots because of Jack's interest in Kate.  He can now move freely about the couch and he loves to come "sit" right next to whoever seems to be the most relaxed.  Today it was Kate.  Right now it is me! :-)

 Jack has become super interested in looking at himself when the iphone camera is turned on him.  He sticks out his tongue and also practices his best smile.  When I set it on video, he just giggles and makes faces, too.  We just decided to be silly one day, and I actually got Kate in on the action.

 And another day...

We have had a great summer, and I am almost sad it is ending.  

swim team banquet and awards

The season finished without me knowing Kate's best time in strokes, and I would not want it any other way.  As I said, I wanted her to do swim team to learn how to swim better and to enjoy time with friends.  I am amazed at what a confidence boost the summer was for Kate.  All because a teenager told her to jump off a starting block and swim to the other end, she did.  And because the guards took an interest in Kate, she performed to the best of her ability for all meets and practices.  This girl surpassed all of my expectations for swim team.  In fact, if you can read her award, she received the coaches' award in the 6 and under group for her positive attitude, attendance, and effort.  She did this; not me.  I would not have taken her to all practices (minus three) if she did not want to go.  I had nothing to do with the attitude and effort; that was all Kate.  Makes me so happy to know she can do this prior to entering school  

 And yeah, the dance didn't disappoint, either.

Swimmer Girl

Since 6 weeks of summer were consumed by swim team, it only seems fitting to post them all in the same section.  We aren't doing a winter team, but Kate has really enjoyed swimming this summer.  It boosted her confidence in doing something by herself and for herself.  Such a great thing before starting Kindergarten.  The guards and coaches were so kind to her and really made her feel part of the team.  In fact, Kate received the Coaches' award at the banquet for her positive attitude, attendance and effort. So proud of this girl -- even if it did mean using chlorine shampoo twice weekly!