Jackie, Hillary & Ben: Week 2 of summer

Last Sat AM (and thus morning), Benny had soccer. He was pretty excited and then a bit overwhelmed. All the kids were 3, there were a bunch and some were hysterical. This didn't help calm him. So me and Ben just watched for awhile until he couldn't help himself from joining.

Then he would remember he felt shy and sit down again. Rinse and repeat.

Saturday during the day we went to my extended fam's hunting lodge (pics below) which was a great time. The kids played w Blake and their 3rd cousin JR.

Father's Day we went on a walk and we came home and played in the pool.

Em and Miss Amy hung for awhile.

Ice cream from ice cream truck, courtesy of our awesome neighbors.

Monday the kids started vacation bible school. They LOVED it.

Last minute, our gymnastics friends invited them to their amazing pool. I was a little apprehensive BC we never had a play date w them before but Cara was there too and all the kids ended up playing so well. I was worried for nothing.

Wear purple day 2 of VBS. On day 1, it was yellow day. My kids wouldn't wear yellow and hilly wore her purple dance recital costume. Just trying to get my $80 worth.

Afterwards we babysat Emily and Kate until Betsy got home.

We got home and I caught Hilly writing out an invitation to Kyle. I LOVE how she sounded this out.

Tennis Tuesday.

Then we had Abby's birthday party at Stratosphere. Ben was totally overwhelmed and Hilly wasn't that into it either (at first) so it sort of sucked. But Jack had a blast jumping w Payton.

Ben did love the goodie bag though.

Day 3 of bible school. Hilly let her freak flag fly, man. She was so serious and confident, who was I to step in her way?

We came home and Evelyn and Mere came over to play. Payton and Hannah joined us later.

Ice skating Wed night. The girls asked to skate a little afterwards.

Thursday. After VBS we went to HAC for Jack's yoga and then her and Payton did a drop in gymnastics. Below she is practicing her back bend.

Hilly did drop in dance and also karate. Jack and Payton below did a drop in hip hop class.

Benny was too overwhelmed to try karate. Then he fell and hurt his face. He was exhausted. He gets really overstimulated.

Friday after VBS there was a VBS show.

I LOVE that my girls get up and dance and participate. I watched a documentary on the PS22 choir and this 5th grade teacher and choir director said if they become cynical and withdrawn by the time they are 10, you've basically lost them. This has stayed with me. I want my kids to be joyful participants in life. I do NOT want them to be too cool for school.