Today was our first summer book club meeting, started by my friend Beth. It was so seriously adorable, I could hardly stand it. We read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and then the girls got to do various projects about the book, like create their own golden ticket, and draw a picture of Willy Wonka based on the description in the book. Then they got to build their own chocolate palaces, which was so cute. The book club is for the older girls in this group, but since siblings are there, we couldn't leave them out. So the younger kids teamed up and worked together. Christian and Caden build a really great castle! It was so fun to see the creativity and fun that they were all having! Then all the kids enjoyed a picnic outside and a super chocolatey-chocolate cake for dessert. So fun! I love fun summer activities!
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This is what I do.
I take pictures. This blog is a way for me to capture the every day moments in this season of my life before it becomes too foggy in my memory for me to recall. This is a tangible reminder of what my life was like, what we did, what was important to us, how we spent our days. These are the every day matters, because to me, every day matters.
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May 2013
May 28, 2013
Today was our first summer book club meeting, started by my friend Beth. It was so seriously adorable, I could hardly stand it. We read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and then the girls got to do various projects about the book, like create their own golden ticket, and draw a picture of Willy Wonka based on the description in the book. Then they got to build their own chocolate palaces, which was so cute. The book club is for the older girls in this group, but since siblings are there, we couldn't leave them out. So the younger kids teamed up and worked together. Christian and Caden build a really great castle! It was so fun to see the creativity and fun that they were all having! Then all the kids enjoyed a picnic outside and a super chocolatey-chocolate cake for dessert. So fun! I love fun summer activities!
May 27, 2013
Today we headed to the mountains with friends for a fun day of playing, food, and laughter. I absolutely love the mountains, and this is "our spot". We found it probably around three years ago, and we continue to go there because it's so wonderful! It has the perfect picnicking spot, the perfect tubing spot, and the perfect little playing spot for Avery. The kids enjoyed lots of tubing, and we enjoyed yummy food and laughter. A very fun day! I also really love that there is no technology, there isn't even a signal so no one can text or get on their phone, so it really is a day of just enjoying each other's company and enjoying nature. That might be the best part of all!
Oh, yes, and this picture was when they found a crawdad, and of course they were all fascinated! I love how Avery is just happily playing in the water, totally oblivious to the excitement. She will get there one day though!
May 26, 2013
We often take our kids to get frozen yogurt....it's the summer thing to do. And quite often, we will ask a neighborhood kid to join us, since they are usually at our house playing anyway. This evening, we took our neighbor Avery, who is Ansley's age, with us. So, here's Avery and Avery. So cute! (Avery also has a younger sister that is three months older than Avery, so she's used to little ones.)
May 25, 2013
Today we served an area of downtown Knoxville, in a government housing project. We cooked BBQ and made banana pudding, as well as chips, fruit and drinks. Honestly, I was nervous, but it was SO good. The people were so gracious, and the kids were so sweet. (We left Avery with my Mom, and brought our neighbor Paige because she had spent the night). I really love this picture - Ansley jumping rope with the kids that live in this complex. Interesting to note, they had a jump rope competition, and Ansley one. This photo makes me smile. Such a great day!
May 24, 2013
We have gotten to know our neighbor, Paige, really well over the past year. This evening, Paige spent the night (Christian had a sleepover at Mimi's) for the first time. They were so excited and giggly, but they play so well together and have so much fun! They wanted to sleep in the playroom, so here they are just before falling asleep, around midnight. As you can tell, Paige was freezing in our house and Ansley, well, she wasn't.
May 23, 2013
Ansley's dance recital was this evening, at a beautiful performing arts center. This is Ansley's first recital ever, and she really enjoyed her first year of dance. She loves to dance - she has always loved to dance. The show was SO good - beautiful costumes, great dancing and a very entertaining way to showcase all the dance classes. I really love this shot I snapped quickly while she was in the room backstage.
May 22, 2013
This is one of my books from my childhood. I was reading it to Avery, and she particularly liked this page. It's always been my favorite too.
May 21, 2013
Christian got a new summer toy today (I know, I totally made that up to sound like a valid excuse for buying a toy even though he has thousands of toys) and he was telling me all about it.
May 20, 2013
These are two of Ansley's closest friends, because they are also neighbors so these girls see each other quite often. They are very sweet girls - Ansley, Avery and Paige - and they really enjoy playing together. They had been jumping on the trampoline (which is why Ansley's shirt is tucked in) and took a quick photo break.
May 19, 2013
My Mom brought me this old quilt from my Grandma. I really love old quilts, and I especially love the colors of this one!