The Summer Highlight Reel

I recently looked out into my front yard on a freakishly cool August afternoon to see a swirl of yellow leaves fluttering about and littering my lawn.  I was counfounded.  Could it be Fall! Seriously?? I mean, just yesterday it started getting warm enough to think about bathing suits and selftanner, right?? As is the American way, I let things rest over the summer, to enjoy the hot days and the vacations and the watermelon, and that laidback feeling that hangs over us for those three blissful months. I used to despise summer, but with kids come so much summer fun, that I may actually be sad to see it go this time. 

Before my memories disappear like the leaves on the trees, I want to post a quick recap of the highs and lows of the season.  I, of course, wish I would have posted them as they happened, but that would just negate the whole point of summer now, wouldn't it?

JUNE

The Highlights- Spending a week at the beach with Mommy and Chloe, and having that week correspond with Aunt Jillian's beach week.

Going to the pool with friends.

Eating watermelon, Eli's favorite summer food, hands down!

A short visit with 4 special people.  Nana, Ed, Ann, and Dean.

Staying at Mimi's house for an entire week while Mommy and Daddy spent a week in NYC helping friends who are planting a church in Queens.  Eli wasn't too sad to see us go, and wasn't overly excited to see us come home.  I'm glad they are so secure, and I am glad they were able to make memories with their grandparents, but I'm pretty sure I won't be able to leave my little buddy for that long again anytime soon.  It was torture for me.

The Lowlights- Going to the beach.  Eli was terrified of the ocean, and insisted on standing on top of the dune, holding all of his beach toys in his hands, crying.  He was afraid the ocean was going to steal his toys.  By day 3, however, he was sitting in the waves, and having an incredible time.

Going to the pool.  He screamed his head off, and refused to do anything more than sit at the top of the stairs at the shallow end, occasionally dipping a toe in (while wearing his full on swimming couldn't-drown-if-he-tried ensemble)

JULY

The Highlights: An Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration in Apex.  Eli played Putt-Putt, Lucky Ducky, rode a train, created art, was tattooed all over, knocked over cans, won prizes, ate a patriotic snowcone, and had an amazing day.

Fourth of July Fireworks.  We went to the Walmart parking lot, staked out a spot, bought Nutty Buddys from the grocery store, opened the back of the van, and waited.  And waited.  And watched the rain.  And heard the thunder.  And watched the lightning.  And drove home.  Bummer.   We drove back the next night to have another go at it, and were able to enjoy the show.  Eli LOVED them, and screamed "Happy Birthday 'Merica!" over and over throughout the show.

The church picnic on our new church land.

The Durham Bulls baseball game.  Patrick's company has season tickets to the Bulls, and our turn came around to go.  We got to watch the game from the 2nd row, just behind 1st base.  The kids had a blast.  They love Wool E. Bull, and actually really got into the game.  Eli liked to mimic the players' moves.  We figured we'd be headed home after a couple of innings, but managed to make it all the way through to the fireworks.  This time we got to watch them close up! Eli loved them as long as I kept my hands pressed firmly against his little ears.

Going to the pool with friends.  Eli started looking forward to pool days and swimming around by himself (as long as I was close by), saying, "Look at me! I'm a Nemo!" Then, by the end of the month, he was jumping in on his own (still wearing aforementioned swimming garb)!!!

Picnics and parks.  We went to a local park with our lunch packed in Chloe's picnic basket most days of the week.

The Lowlights: I can't remember any, but I'm sure they existed.

AUGUST

The Highlights: Mama and Daddypa's Surprise Party.  Meeting tons of extended family members for the first time, and of course, cupcakes.

A trip to the Science and History Museums with my old friend Carrie.  It's hard to believe we have four young ones between us now. It was fun to see her, and Eli loved being with boys for a change!

A week with Tootie and Ally.  A first trip to Chuck E. Cheese.  Games, rides, pizza, shows, prizes, and being  the only people there for the first hour makes for a fun day.  He also got to enjoy a few days with the fun of a bigger big sister around.  They played hide and seek and read together and had a great time. 

First trip to Pilot Mtn.  The views and the rocks were spectacular to a mountain novice like Eli!

First trip to Speedy Chef, home of the Chef Burger and the chocolate dipped swirl cone.

Watching the Olympic games.  Eli loves to practice the moves of all the athletes from gymnastics to running to tennis and volleyball.  Could that be him one day? I kinda hope not.

The Lowlights: A 103 degree fever during said trip to Pilot Mtn. and Speedy Chef making him too tired to climb and too drained to finish his ice cream.