Gonna miss Makai

This morning we took Makai to meet the bus for her ride back home. I think the girls will be forever friends. On the way to the bus station, the girls were in the back seat and I overheard Makai tell Zoe, “I wish we were sisters.”

We’ve done Fresh Air now for several years and I couldn’t imagine not doing it – for so many reasons.  By the time Makai got home (to NYC), her mom was texting me with an invite to Makai’s 10^th birthday party in December with all her friends and family. That is pretty special and we cannot wait to go.

I don’t think next summer can come fast enough for Zoe. Her and Makai have been texting since she left. I sure love those girls!

Day 7 - Theater Day

Today the girls had a full day of theater. We went to the movies AND went to see the play, Beauty and the Beast. How's that for Makai's last day with us? We were second row for the play and every time I glanced over at the girls, they were smiling ear to ear. It's been so much fun having Makai visit. I know everyone will be sad to see her go.

Day 6

Happy 7th Birthday Jaylyn!!! 

 Everyone had a great time bowling, eating pizza, and enjoying J's birthday cupcakes. We were happy to be there to celebrate with everyone.

Day 5

Bumper cars, mini golf, rock climbing, arcade games, and prizes..... 

 Fun! Fun! Fun!

Day 4

We took the girls down to the creek to play in the water today. They had fun skipping rocks, walking in the water, and chasing the dogs around. Rosie even saved the day by fetching Makai’s slipper as it was floating up the creek.

After all the years of doing Fresh Air Fund, Makai is a perfect match for our family. I don’t consider Kee Kee a Fresh Air Fund kid anymore she is family. No one can compare to the love I have for her but, Makai has been so much fun to have. I’m going to be sad to see her leave. I hope she will do the program again next year!!!

Day 3

Nothing like a walk to Rita's after dinner for a yummy dessert!

Day 2

This morning I made the girls breakfast before packing their lunches for camp. Makai is going to camp this week with Zoe while she was in town. Today was water day so the girls packed their bathing suits, towels, and sunscreen and headed to camp. Camp is from 9am-3pm daily but this morning, they didn’t get there until almost 10am (cause they went to bed late and couldn’t wake up!) and I picked them up about 2:30pm. I wasn’t sure how it was going to go, but when I picked them up Makai said she had a great time. In fact, the girls were playing different activities, Z was playing box hockey and Makai was doing the water balloon toss. I was happy to see Makai had a good time.

 They couldn’t get home fast enough to jump into the pool – again! I ordered pizza for dinner along with a chocolate chip cookie pizza for dessert. These are all things I love about summer!!!

P.S. Shelli got home tonight – It’s nice to have her home safe and sound!

Fresh Air - Day 1

Meet Makai.....
She is our adorable Fresh Air child this summer. Z & I picked her up this afternoon at 3:30 (Shelli is out of town for work for a few days) by 4:30, they were in the pool splashing around like they have known each other their whole lives. They have lots in common and I'm looking forward to spending time with these two sweet little ladies!

Block Party

For the past nine years, our neighborhood puts on a block party every July. This was our first one since living here and it was really nice. We got to meet more folks from the neighborhood, and the kids had the time of their lives. They block off the street from 4pm on, and for several hours every family brings either a side dish or dessert, depending on odd or even addresses.  This year, even numbers were desserts and odd numbers were side dishes. Lori made cotton candy cupcakes for the kids and chocolate for the adults. Hot dogs, hamburgers, and lots of different sodas, juices, etc were provided for everyone. Tables were set up in the middle of the street with all kinds of yummy food. Everyone brought chairs to sit in and just spent the afternoon chatting.

 

There were several kid games, like water balloon toss, tag, corn hole, and a watermelon-eating contest, which Zoe won! I couldn’t believe out of almost 20 kids, ours was the first to have hers all gone!!! They even had a prize bag for all the kids who won an ‘event’.

 

When it got dark, a movie projector was set up for the kids to watch a movie. They all grabbed blankets and snacks and sat on the grass watching the movie. When the movie was over it was fireworks time. Once that was over, we were all tired and headed in for the night, however the party went on until around midnight!

 

Overall, it was a huge success!!! Zoe can’t wait for next year to do it all over again.

 

NC Roadtrip

We headed South to spend some time with my aunt Sandra while Tonya, Trevor, and Todd were in Alaska for Trev's Senior Trip.  We started out our roadtrip on Sunday, which just happened to be my birthday.  We drove half way down and decided to stop and have dinner and a movie in my honor!  I opted for Cracker Barrel, which is about as close to southern food as you can get up in these parts.  Dinner was great and the movie was even better.  Afterwards we turned in so we would be ready to head out early.  

 

 

 

We got to Tonya's house around 2, and had a great visit with Sandra and Dominique (Sandra's nurse) while Zoe counted the seconds until Lilly got home from her friends house.  The next week was a blur it went so fast.  The highlights of the week, besides getting to spend time with Sandra, were; panning for gold, a walk around the Shoppes at Birkdale, swimming, hiking, bike riding, and walking around the neighborhood.  We took Sandra out when we could, and I think she enjoyed the scenery.  We were also able to get down to SC for some wonderful peaches and blackberries.

 

Tonya, Todd, and Trev came home early on Sunday morning, they were exhausted from the long flight and the time change.  Lilly was glad to see her Mom, she was really missing her.  The girls had fun, but when you're 8 and your parents are away it seems like forever until they come home! 

 

We said our goodbye's to everyone and headed up to Mount Airy for a quick visit with some friends there.  Our friend Kara just had a baby about 3 months ago, so of course Lori had to get her baby fix.  We stayed the night with Kara, and then headed home the next morning for the LONG drive home.

 

It was a long drive, but a really nice trip.  I was very happy to spend time with Sandra, the last few times I've been down I've only got to stay 2 or 3 days, so it was really nice to have a full week.  Sandra looks good, and has every bit the spunk and sass she always has, and I was so happy to see she still has her spirit and sense of humor though all the adversity.  I love her so much and am very thankful for having the opportunity to stay and visit for the week. 

Garden

Our garden is doing amazing! We’ve already enjoyed radishes, squash, sweet peppers, jalapenos, basil, and green beans. Still growing but not quite ready to cut is cucumbers, watermelon, tomatoes, swiss  chard, sweet potatoes, carrots, blueberries,  and an assortment of peppers.

It’s so fun to watch everything grow and it’s even better to enjoy the fresh fruit and veggies that we grew with love!