Summer 2016 Recap!

I don’t know…I’m in a very reminiscent mood this week (so let’s just go with it, okay? I’m pretty sure I’m suffering from a case of back to school blues…I hear a couple of kid-free trips to Hobby Lobby and such cures it quite quickly 😉 ).

On Sunday night, we went around the table and talked about our highs and lows from the summer.  We made the most of our time off this summer and had lots to talk about.  Today, I thought I’d share what are favorite things were from the summer (with a few lows thrown in there for good measure).

 Okay, first up…our lows.

Stitches.

Tonsillectomy.

Hand procedure.

1, 2, 3…everyone suffered a little bit this summer ;).  Kensington fell and landed on her Eiffel Tower resulting in stitches, Smith had his tonsils and adenoids removed and Ashby had a procedure done on her hand.  My kids were all three quick to point these things out as their lows.

Now…on to the highs!

 We tried to rank them…but it was hard because we loved them all.  Nevertheless, we made a list :).

#10: The Olympics!

We ate ice cream and watched the Olympics every night.   I’m pretty sure we all still chant “Michael, Michael, Michael” in our sleep.

#9: We learned to play golf!

Smith and I took golf lessons this summer and the girls learned a little too.  We played as a family at least once a week this summer and it was so much fun.

#8: Tennis Camp!

My big kids had their annual tennis camp this summer and I do believe it was their best year yet.  Look how much they’ve grown since their first year and now this year.  Tennis camp was such a success that Kensington and Ebby Lee are going to continue playing this fall.

#7:  Andrew & Smith went to NYC to see the Yankees!

We let them have this one.  The boys went to see the Yankees play and had the best time.

#6: Hawaiian Falls!

This year, we went to the local water park several times with the Slaughters and it was so much fun!  This was a nice change up to our normal pool days and always made us feel like we were doing something extra special on a boring old weekday.

#5: Nantucket and Lovie’s House

Andrew and I said our trip to Nantucket was a highlight of the summer and the kids said…

…their trip to Lovie’s was a highlight too!

#4: July 4th Fun!

We had the best Fourth of July weekend!  This is always one of the favorite days of our summer.  Our little town goes all out for Independence Day!

#3: Swimming with friends!

Pretty much every single day, we swam with our friends.  This is a tradition about 7 years running and one that we cherish so much.  We talk about swimming with friends all year long.  These are the memories that I know my kids will keep with them always.

#2: Our trip to The Netherlands and Norway!

Well, our family trip to The Netherlands and Norway was fantastic!  I really can’t think of a better time I’ve had with my little family.  This would have been our number one thing from the summer but we all unanimously agreed that…

#1: Samuel being born :).

Sweet Samuel Thomas Lowe was born on July 2 and that was the highlight of our summer.  We cannot get enough of this precious baby.  Every time we’re with him, we are all five fighting over who gets to hold him.  Samuel is going to grow up and the first words out of his mouth will be “can someone please tell them to back off?”.  We just love this boy (and his parents!) so very much.  He was by far the best part of our summer.

Okay…I think I might be done mourning the loss of summer now :).  It’s time for me to get all pumped up about the next season…and we all know how much I love the next season ;).

One last thing…if you’re an educator or work in schools…

…don’t forget about my $500 Nordstrom Gift Card Giveaway!  This giveaway is for teachers, coaches, counselors, therapists, administrators, custodial staff…anyone who works in education (including homeschool mamas!).  Click HERE for your chance to enter to win!

xo