Color Run, Lego Land, and the Solar Eclipse

August has been busy and fun! 

We did a 5k Color Run with some moms and girls from Adelyn's girl scout troop on August 12th. We had never tried this! 

Adelyn loved getting the color sprayed on her at various stations!

Some stations also had bubbles!

The course went through the fairgrounds, so of course we had to stop at Seth's grandfather's steam engine

Finish Line!

So proud of her! She seriously could have ran the whole thing! We stayed with our group because friends are more fun

The next weekend, we went to Lego Land. 

Adelyn had never been, but I took James last August

He and Seth loved building the race cars

 Monday, August 21st was the Solar Eclipse. The kids wouldn't be counted absent if they stayed home from school, so we kept them home. We invited some friends over to come watch. We had moon pies, star crunches, and other goodies that friends brought. 

 Hembrees, Goldblatts, Pauls, and Stuart (wife had to work)

 I set up worksheets beneath deck for kids to do

 Blake wore a welding helmet 

 Seth broke out some Blue Moon

The eclipse was SO cool! We were in 98% totality. It definitely dropped in temperature and got darker (like it was evening). That last 2% must be a HUGE difference because it didn't get super dark out. It was still an amazing experience and I'm so glad we shared it with friends and family. 

Back to School!

It's that time of year again- back to school!

 Kindergarten Round Up was the morning of August 1st. The school bus picked up all the Kindergartners to get them used to riding the bus. 

 The kids got to see their classrooms, drop off their supplies, and get a little treat. 

 We are pumped to have Mrs. Hubbard and Mrs. Currie!

 Later that day, the kids had a dentist appointment. James had a wiggly front tooth and Dr. Aunt Missa pulled it! The tooth is in his little necklace. 

 The other grade levels had Open House that evening. Adelyn's 3rd grade teacher is Mrs. Hannah and her room is very pretty! 

 The Kona Ice Truck was at the school, so of course we had to buy one!

 Two days later, we were ready for the big day! They've had these signs since James started in the 2s. 

 He wants to work at Thomas Lumber when he grows up

 Adelyn wants to be a teacher

James's backpack looks so big on him!

 They're ready!

Seth and I both drove them to school. I loved seeing the sign as we pulled in!

 It was fun seeing friends as we walked in 

 There he goes! I had no idea I'd get so emotional, but I was definitely "that mom" with tears running down my face. 

 They made it home and had smiles on their sweet faces! It's going to be a great school year!

Wrapping up summer

Once we returned from the beach, we quickly realized we had less than a month to enjoy summer fully (now that swim team was over) before school starts! Summers are SHORT around here! :) 

 Sweet Mae was saved during Revival so we watched her get baptized

 We've had a great garden experience this year! We planted cucumbers, tomatoes, green beans (first time), corn (first time), and green peppers (first time.... and I'm STILL waiting for them!). Brenda canned 7 quarts and we've enjoyed a gracious plenty of green beans (and I have frozen some). I have also frozen roasted tomato soup and roasted spaghetti sauce. I can't wait to enjoy our garden more this winter! 

 We were pretty pumped about the corn! 

 Adelyn's friend Ava spent the night and they made cake pops!

 Fun with friends in the driveway!

 Pool time with friends

 We went to Get Air and had a blast!

 Adelyn completed and documented 10 hours of exercise for PE last year and got a free pass to Get Air. This girl was able to get to the top of the wall. My kids love to watch American Ninja Warrior!

 A little friendly jousting

 Water gun fight!

We went to Lanier Islands Waterpark with the Duffs. It's about a 45 minute drive, but we went via boat and it was only 20 minutes

 They do a foam party - bubbles and a blower and it was super fun!

 James wouldn't do this slide, but Adelyn did both sides (the right side is really steep!)

 The kids called this the "superman" slide because you went down on a mat on your tummy

 James and Donovan 

 There was a big water playground behind us. David, Karen, and I enjoyed some adult time while the kids were occupied. The lunch here was great! 

 The Abernathy kids came over for a sleepover and we made slime

 So fun and easy!

 Tatem's face is hilarious!

 Elijah and James playing pirates

Cousin pool time. Notice Bella, the dog, on the raft!

The kids also went my parents' house in SC for 3 nights and had a blast playing putt putt, going to the movies, and getting in some quality grandparent time without us. Seth and I had 3 date nights (Avalon, Ponce City Market, and seeing The Big Sick) and I did a major closet clean-out. Good stuff!

We had some lazy days and some crazy days! It was a terrific summer!