Summatime - First Half

The past few years I've been able to post each week about weekly, summer fun activities, but, this summer is pretty different!

With a new sibling who naps frequently, we're a bit more limited to how much we can be out and about...which again, makes me very thankful we have a pool we can enjoy during his naps! I've had to think, then, how to kind of make things fun. One thing we came up that has helped, has been assigning a few days of the week to be special days. For example, Mondays are our Pool Days, Tuesdays are our  art and bake day, Wednesdays are Movie Days,etc.

Here and there, the boys have been in some camps, too - every other week or so. That has definitely been a win/win on both sides!

Vacation Bible School - at a neighboring church. I think because of less demand, our church no longer does it (or not this year). I loved that this got switched back to daytime, especially given that Josh was away in Japan during this time!

Very neat setup

Last day singing

New potty game. They loved that it squirts water! This was wonderful afternoon entertainment one day.

Celebrating National Donut Day!

Because I'm not able to take them to summer movies during the day, I made up watching a movie at home once a week with these trays - popcorn, a treat, and Kool Aid  (not healthy, but in comparison to what they would get at the movie theater). They totally loved this tradition idea the best!

First feature- Moana. Perfect to do during Preston's longest nap in the afternoon.

Having his first cupcake! We're doing our summer tradition of visiting a cupcake shop for themed days. This day's theme was Neon Colors - if we wore neon colors, we got a free treat.

Over the last week Josh and I returned home from a visit to New Mexico! Again we were very thankful for the help of my family over five days, coming over again to watch the boys so we could go on our own. Thankfully we didn't have any sick kids this time!

We primarily went to New Mexico to visit Josh's brother, his wife and their two new babies. I was very grateful we decided against taking our kids on this trip, as it really allowed us to catch up and focus on our nieces.

Before we left, Aaron made these love notes

Girls! Just, girls!

Sister-in-law hiking date!

We did a nice variety of staying in and going out some over the course of three-ish days. For our last 24 hours, we had booked a stay at a nice resort and spa near Santa Fe.

New Mexican fare

So grateful for the recommendation to do a private, mineral spa!

Mama got a nice wrap done, too

And, okay...when we realized we would pretty much be passing by Albuquerque again on our way home, we had to see our nieces one more (quick) time!

They are just the cutest!

We had such a good, wonderful visit. So much so that we're talking about going back again (this time with the boys) in a few months! It's time for cousins to meet.

This past week, Nate and Aaron were again in a camp, this time a dinosaur, Lego camp. They spent time building different dinosaurs, playing games, having free play to build whatever they wanted...then on the last day, they had a Lego movie pajama party!

I'm very relieved and proud of the boys not complaining very much, given how drastically I feel this summer has been compared to the last few for sure.  They have not gone camping (typically they would have with Scouts or church by now, once or twice already). In fact, we're not sure they'll get to go even before school starts. With daddy being gone, then coming home and being tired and sick, we're trying to play catch up with house projects. It really has been a fast summer, despite feeling like we haven't done too much!