Summer Blast Recap

**I have realized I missed out on posting much about this summer!  Therefore the next few posts are some that should have been posted a month ago, but never got published.**

Some may have read about my tearful drop off when McGee went to his first vacation Bible school last month, but I didn't get a chance to come back and tell you what a fantastic week he had at Summer Blast!  It was Australian Outback themed and my little Joey had such a great time singing, playing and learning.  I heard from a few friends who volunteered that McGee was quite the cut-up during the singing time. :)  They provided a cd on the first day with the music from the week and that cd has played almost non-stop in our car (and house) ever since!  It starts with an awesome "Good Morning" song that can't help but get you in a good mood and the rest of the cd is just as great.  Needless to say, McGee had LOTS of practice with his music.

On Friday of Summer Blast week they had a final bbq party for all of the families with one last send-off.  McGee and Miss Em found they preferred playing in a puddle around a tree rather than surrounded by all the other kids on the bouncy water slide or in the bounce house. 

It was a HOT night!

McGee listening intently

Giving a good 'ole Aussie yell!

Somehow our McGee has a tendency to find himself BEHIND others on-stage despite being on the shorter side where he needs to be up front.  Oh well - I still caught him. :)

He snuck in front of his Auntie Alanda (a genuine Aussie) for the final song

Back out in the crowd - he had a great time being a part Summer Blast!

He made a small one on the first day, but here he is playing a real didgeridoo.  These can actually be hard to play but our boys strong lungs did pretty well!

Last Summer Vacation

I feel like my blog posts as of late have just been me joining in on other blog challenges and carnivals.  That is all well and good, but we have had LOTS going on here too that I do so wish to share with you all!

First up, the kids and I just returned from a trip to my sister's with my mom.  It was our last vacation of the summer as McGee will start pre-school next Monday.  We enjoyed a great few days hanging out with my sister, brother-in-law, nephew and our little sweet niece.  On Friday we headed over to Santa Cruz and had the BEST time!  The weather was perfect (although a bit windy and cold on the pier) and it was wonderful not to have any agenda other than relaxing and having fun.

McGee LOVE, LOVE, LOVED playing in the waves and sand and Miss Em enjoyed staying close to her Grandma and digging in the sand.  McGee practiced writing his letters in the sand and Baby Skye took a beachside nap.  A highlight for sure was feeding (and being swarmed by) the seagulls with our leftover rolls from lunch.  Grandma was heard saying she didn't think she had heard McGee laugh and giggle so much before!  How to top off that kind of a day?  Enjoying ice cream for dinner of course, at a local dive called Marianne's we were referred to by my friend Tina.  When she mentioned we might have to wait in line I didn't truly believe her, but indeed we had to wait almost a 1/2 hour!  It was good though and I couldn't believe all of the many flavor options!

Well there's plenty more to say about our trip, but I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves (and there are TONS more where these came from)!  I had such a hard time choosing which pics to post as there were so many that I loved!  Which of these is YOUR favorite?

Throwing the bread for the birds...

Skye's first trip to the beach...she thought she'd see what sand tastes like

Busy Bees

Boy has it been a busy week...and it's only Tuesday!  This busyness might be making us a little crazy...

...or sleepy...

...or cranky.

Nah...we're just enjoying the late summer nights and full, fun days - there is always plenty of time for rest later! :)