My summer to do list was pretty much a failure. One of the things on the list was to update this blog, and clearly that task did not get finished. I was also going to catch up on my scrap booking, update Luke's baby book, and organize the school room. These items are still on the pink sticky note posted next to my desk, without being crossed off.
The only big things that I accomplished were cleaning out the boys' rooms and organizing two bookshelves. And I mean big time cleaning of the boy's rooms. We threw away several big bags of trash and went through all of their clothes and toys. We gave away several more bags of stuff to friends and one of our favorite resale stores. We also dusted, vacuumed, and cleaned under beds and in every corner. So I felt really good about that, but then I was too burned out to finish doing the same in the school room. The only reason that two bookshelves got done was out of necessity. I had to make room for our new set of school books for this year.
So my nice, relaxing summer didn't exactly go as I had dreamed, but there were many shining moments and we made some great memories.
We finished last school year in early May. I spent the month doing some cooking that I don't normally have time to do, including lots of breakfasts and desserts. My Pioneer Woman cookbook got quite a workout. Some of our favorites were vanilla scones, French breakfast puffs, Italian cream cake, and blueberry cobbler and cinnamon rolls. I used a lot of butter this month!
June was full of activities for the boys. Zack and Michael performed in their annual dance concert. It was a big deal. We were thrilled to have family and friends there to cheer for them. Nick and Zack spent a week at the Pines Catholic Camp. Nick spent a week at Youth Leader training. We also squeezed in a few trips to the water park.
In July we had an epic family vacation. My side of the family stayed in a huge rental house outside of Bastrop, TX for 4 days, 22 of us! We had a double baptism for my niece and nephew. My brother rented an inflatable water slide. There was lots of eating, dancing, relaxing, and laughing.
The only big things that I accomplished were cleaning out the boys' rooms and organizing two bookshelves. And I mean big time cleaning of the boy's rooms. We threw away several big bags of trash and went through all of their clothes and toys. We gave away several more bags of stuff to friends and one of our favorite resale stores. We also dusted, vacuumed, and cleaned under beds and in every corner. So I felt really good about that, but then I was too burned out to finish doing the same in the school room. The only reason that two bookshelves got done was out of necessity. I had to make room for our new set of school books for this year.
So my nice, relaxing summer didn't exactly go as I had dreamed, but there were many shining moments and we made some great memories.
We finished last school year in early May. I spent the month doing some cooking that I don't normally have time to do, including lots of breakfasts and desserts. My Pioneer Woman cookbook got quite a workout. Some of our favorites were vanilla scones, French breakfast puffs, Italian cream cake, and blueberry cobbler and cinnamon rolls. I used a lot of butter this month!
June was full of activities for the boys. Zack and Michael performed in their annual dance concert. It was a big deal. We were thrilled to have family and friends there to cheer for them. Nick and Zack spent a week at the Pines Catholic Camp. Nick spent a week at Youth Leader training. We also squeezed in a few trips to the water park.
In July we had an epic family vacation. My side of the family stayed in a huge rental house outside of Bastrop, TX for 4 days, 22 of us! We had a double baptism for my niece and nephew. My brother rented an inflatable water slide. There was lots of eating, dancing, relaxing, and laughing.
July was also consumed with lots of youth group and church activities. We did service projects every Monday, VBS every evening for a week, and our 3-night summer lock in. And our monthly bake sale and car wash. And Michael had 2 weeks of theater camp. Did I mention July was a busy month for us? But it was lots of fun. I love spending time with our church youth group, both the kids and adults!
Before we started school the first week of August, Nick and I went with our youth group high school students to the Dallas Catholic Youth Conference. It was an amazing weekend retreat and great way to end our summer. We are now on our 5th week of school, and we seem to be back in a good routine. Last week I spent 3 afternoons and evening freezer cooking. I've never done this before, but I think we will like it. I was able to put over 40 meals in the freezer! Some are fully cooked and just need to be heated, need to be thawed and cooked, and some are all ready to go in the crock pot for the day. I think this will help as we dive in to our full schedule of school, soccer, dance, faith formation classes, theater classes, and preschool for Luke.
