Summer Days . . .

Summer flowers in the garden in bloom . . .

Kate is enjoying reading her Frozen script, sitting cool in the shade . .

A dear friend dropped off this shirt for me - LOVE IT! I even made a music playlist to go with us Moms having drinks on the back deck this summer - the Porcho Myarda Playlist!

Mike and I snuck away for a game of tennis and it was wonderful - it was a close match but he beat me after we were tied 2-2, sadly.

Molly styled Kate's hair, as well as her doll Caroline's, for Kate's softball game!

Batter, Batter, Swing - Batter Batter!

They've been playing lots of boy teams - but these hold their own and are doing awesome! Great little hitters!

I'm holding Caroline for the game, I'm told.

So glad these kids have something social and outside to look forward to with their peers for a few weeks this summer.

We dog sat our favorite neighborhood dog, Choxie.

Still practicing piano and our notes every day . . .

My zinneas are in bloom!!!

Lots of walks with Choxie this week!

He's such a good lab! We adore him!

More pool days . . .love my view from the kitchen.

Dance parties in the pool!

More fishing - Molly caught this one Friday night!

Garden update . . .

Choxie hugs . . . 

After church Saturday night - picked up take-out and met the Schlicks at the park for a picnic!

Was a gorgeous night!

Kate + Ruby

We found the highest spot to watch the Sunset . . .

Livin' In the Moment.

When I dreamed of being a Mom someday, I didn't dream about driving my kids to birthday parties every weekend. As a young girl, I didn't envision tag teaming with my husband what activities/sports practices our kids had at night and who was doing pickup, which carpools we were in, etc. I never envisioned I might have to block family time on the calendar just to ensure we still have our game nights each week.

I dreamed of someday laying under a tree with my children, staring at the leaves. I dreamed of catching fireflies with them on summer nights. I envsioned planting gardens and taking them fishing. I dreamed of long bike rides and going out for ice-cream often. I dreamed of cooking dinner together and baking with them while listening to music. I dreamed of coloring with my kids and listening to their thoughts - hopes and dreams. I dreamed of laying in bed at night with them, listening to their observations on life at the end of a fun, active day together.

There are a lot of anxious feelings right now on lots of important and heavy stuff. The unknown is scary when we are used to being in control - or at least think we are, which is close enough. 

But I can't help but feel so much JOY and gratefulness for this pocket of time where I get to slow down and recall my dreams of motherhood as they came back to fruition. We are in control of our time and how we spend our days. Make them GOOD. These are the days we will remember.

Father's Day, 2020!

The girls were so excited to celebrate Mike ALL DAY LONG on Sunday! They woke up super early to make him breakfast and coffee and then started digging for worms as they purchased new fishing poles to take him fishing!! We are so blessed to have him in our lives! He is such a great Dad, so present in everything they are into - even the girly stuff! Was fun to celebrate Mike all day!

It was a hot day! They went to the pond just a mile from our house that has recently been stocked with bass and trout!

Molly really loves fishing with her Dad . . . 

Molly caught a BIG ONE!

Home to shower and cook a yummy Father's Day dinner before Game Night!

Menu:

Caesar Salad

Sautéed Asparagus

Baked Potatoes on the Grill

Grilled Steaks with Caramelized Onions + Blue Cheese

Oreo Cream Cheese Pie for Dessert

(Guess who planned the menu?) ;)

1st Day of Summer Road Trip!

The girls and I celebrated the First Day of Summer (longest hours of Sunshine ALL YEAR) with a Road Trip to my home town to see my parents! We had not seen them since Christmas so we were SO EXCITED to see them! We brought a bucket to use as a restroom in the car as we didn't want to go in their house at all, we just wanted to see them during this crazy Pandemic.

Love the view of the Flint Hills - every single time I drive through them . . .

always takes my breath away!

Sarah and Isabella met us there too - and they camped in the yard as they stayed for Father's Day too!

The cousins WERE SO HAPPY to see each other again - it had been almost 6 months and they are so very close! (They Facetime often these days!)

Sarah had camp all set up and a shade tent by the time we arrived - 

was so fun to all be together safely in my Parents' backyard!

Kate loves their dog, Ziggy.

Summertime . . . 

Isabella - 11, Molly - 10, Kate -7

They call themselves "Sister Cousins"

My Dad got out the old Crocodile Mile Slip 'n Slide!

This provided HOURS of entertainment all day . . . 

Ziggy was not a fan of the biting flies . . . 

The Dog Whisperer - love her special connection to animals.

Of course, they brought their dolls to Grandma JoJo's house!

We celebrated Father's Day too and gave my Dad his gifts and cards.

So happy.

New golf socks and hat and lots of yummy snacks!

Sarah and I brought all our own food to eat while there - and ate outside of course. For dinner, Sarah and I grilled together and it was so delicious!

Grilling views . .. 

The cousins had Pogo contests . . .

Didn't get on the road to drive back to KC until after 7:00 p.m. - this one fell asleep within minutes! We definitely made the most of our drive spending as much time as we could in their backyard!

Our hearts (and the pee bucket) were full! Until next time . . .