Catching up

 The last day of school was very busy for me. My friend was swamped and weeks ago asked if I would help with her daughter's graduation party, which was our last day of school, and I was happy to be of help to her so I spent some time researching ideas and helping come up with a plan and then I ended up doing about half the decor and food. Josh and I did have a nice morning together though on our last morning date for a few months and it was nice to relax and talk and just have some time to be. Then it was crazy go time; we picked up Curtis, got flowers for the party, welcomed home our done-with-10th-grader, then packed up the car so that as soon as the elementary kids got off the bus we could head up to the party. I made tons of mini cheesecakes, buffalo chicken dip, a cheese and cracker plate, I had the drinks and fruit plus corn hole, balloons, flowers, jars to use as vases and so it was a lot. Curtis got off the bus happy, as was Lily, but Emma was sobbing and Brandon was teary-eyed. Emma is very nervous about going to 6th grade and Brandon is going to miss having her around in the morning and being on the bus together. It was a lot of emotion but we had a bit of a drive so I let her get it out and then we got milkshakes, which makes it all better. :) 

We met up with the Rays for our now traditional start (and also end) to summer and it was tasty and fun to be with friends. Then Michelle took my kids home while I went to set up for the party and then I stayed all through it and helped clean up too. It was a lot of work but Elizabeth was so grateful for my help and so it was worth it. I was also nervous that she might be disappointed in what I did but she said many times it was perfect and that she was extremely appreciative. 

 

 

 

The next day was an all-day rehearsal for the girls and the rest of us went to Dorsey Park to hang out with the Kinneys before they left for Italy. It was nice to see people and chat and it was a beautiful day to be outside but saying goodbye is tough. Curtis is really going to miss Max and Brandon will miss Lucy. I will miss teaching Lucy and Brooks piano lessons and Micah and Missy have served our ward and my family  in very meaningful ways so we are going to miss them. 

 

That evening the girls took it easy at home and we took the boys to a Blue Crabs game. It was a lovely night and the game went quickly. I know a lot of people like the pro games but I find the smaller stadium charming. I like how close everything is and how easy it is to see and be a part of the game. It was a good game and there were fireworks afterwards and it was a fun night with my boys.

 

For the first day of summer I let my kids have a do what you want day, or more accurately, mom will leave you alone day. This pretty much equates to them watching TV all day long, which is fine one day a year. Their schedules during the year leave very little time for screens so I let them loose. Lily actually went to Panera and shopping with a school friend until it was time for dance but the other three were occupied with shows most of the day. After I took the girls to dance Brandon and I went to the pool for a bit and that was fun. 

Tuesday we went to Newtowne Neck for our first beach day of the summer. It was a beautiful day and the water was jellyfish-free and everyone had a good time. I was a  bit annoyed we had to leave early to get to a dance rehearsal (I will spare you my rant on having dance go a week past school) but as it turned out, everyone else had to go too so it all worked out. I took the Kinneys dinner that night and then Michelle and I went to the RS activity which was a bit fluffy but it is always nice to be with friends. 

 

 

Wednesday I went to the gym and grocery store while my kids were tasked to clean out their closets. We threw away a lot of stuff and gave away a bunch of clothes and it felt good to have those organized. I also did a lot of other cleaning that day. Then that night Brandon and I crashed the youth activity at our pool and it was fun to chat with Amanda and Curtis had a great time so, another good summer night. 

Thursday I did some more cleaning (my house was seriously so dirty; not messy but dirty) and then left the kids a list to finish while I drove up to the airport to pick up my in-laws. We had a nice evening with them and then Friday I had wanted to take my FIL up to D.C. because he loves it but the MIL said she wasn't up for it. So we took them kayaking instead down McIntosh Run. Luckily Sarah lent us a kid kayak and Michelle shared her two with us so we had enough for everyone and off we went. They were unsure but didn't say they wouldn't do it so we went with it. It was a  beautiful day and lovely to be out on the water. We saw blue herons and turtles and Josh saw a bald eagle. When we got to the wharf we relaxed in the shade and got ice cream and it was really quite nice. I went and picked up Lily from her dance pool party at the director's mansion, I mean house, and then we all went to dinner at this great place down in Ridge that is on the water. It has outside seating right along the water and corn hole and a marina and the food is good. My in-laws loved it and we had a nice evening there. It was a perfect southern MD kind of day!