Bluff Trail

We decided to have one low key day in between our two full-on beach days during the 4th of July weekend. We went to church, the park, made meals and took our friends to our favorite bluff trail overlooking the ocean.

Four magnetic fishing poles came with us to collect iron ore.

The boys discovered this trick by accident on one of our hikes and now the fishing poles are a standard addition.

We were cracking up at Crew the entire time because with as much enthusiasm as he could muster, he roamed around asking everyone individually, "Did you found some-PING?!"

The dust clouds are standard as well.

Blake hid a bolt in a secret hiding spot the last time we walked the bluff. He was excited to find it right where he left it.

It was such a clear night, we could see the outline of the skyscrapers in LA off in the distance.

Everyone brings magnetic fishing poles to collect iron ore on hikes, yes?

iPhoneography: 4th of July Weekend

Our good friends from Vegas spent the 4th of July with us last year and we were thrilled when they decided to come back for round two.

There is so much anticipation in the days and hours leading up to our reunions. These friends are always beyond thrilled to be together. 

Especially when you throw in some waves and boogie boards.

We were grateful for our friends' teenage son that didn't mind entertaining little ones all weekend.

We were surprised that Finn agreed to go sand sledding. He rarely leaves his happy place at the beach.

Yet, he always manages to get covered in sand.

We escaped with no kids for dinner on the beach at sunset.

We took a walk along the shore while we were waiting for our table and somehow managed to get soaked from the knees down.

So worth it. You just can't beat that view.

It was our fifth beach visit in one week and we geared up for more in the following days. Not before we had a good scare in the tunnel on the way back to the car because the guys scared us into thinking we were accompanied by a rodent. We had a good laugh all the way home because our screams scared each other more than anything.

Back to School Fancy Dinner

It's funny how once you carry out a tradition a few times, your children hold you to it.

We flew home from Michigan less than 36 hours before school started, but the boys completely expected our traditional back to school fancy dinner before embarking on the new school year. They asked me over and over what our new theme was going to be and how I was going to decorate the table.

Since they were insistent on carrying out the tradition, you better believe I did what it took to throw something together. Thankfully, I already had a theme in mind, so it was just a matter of scrounging up some items around the house to make the table look "fancy."

Even though they knew what to expect at our fourth annual back to school dinner, the boys still showed just as much shock that we would throw a party just for them. No company, no birthday celebrations, no major holidays, just us. And somehow those above average place settings encouraged them to stay in their chairs, use their manners and participate in some great discussions. It's seriously like magic how they whip right into little adults for this one annual meal.

We settled on the family theme "Build Up" this year. We talked about ways that we are built up and torn down, both by others and by ourselves. We had a good discussion about how important it is to build ourselves up when it is so easy to focus on our weaknesses. And we can all do a little better at cheering each other on. 

I used the blocks to show the analogy that if your foundation is full of positivity and support, you stand firm without wobbling. But as you remove blocks one by one, over time you grow weaker and weaker until you eventually collapse. 

The great thing about this theme is that the adults in our family need the reminder just as much as the boys. Who doesn't need a little building up?

Back to School

I didn't intentionally take a month long hiatus from posting, but life is racing by faster than I can keep up. I have so much to share about the 4th of July, summer happenings and an epic trip to Michigan, but for now, let's talk about how the boys started school smack dab in the middle of August.

Our minds and bodies were still in summer mode when August 15th rolled around. We were jet lagged and none of our suitcases were unpacked, but that first school bell rang at 8am whether we were ready or not.

Crew was heartbroken to say goodbye to his summer playmates.

But he only had to make it one week before he joined the school line up. To say he was excited for his first day of preschool would be a grand understatement. Crew has been begging to go to school since he could talk.

Nash's favorite part about first grade is that he has his very own (hand-me-down) pencil box. 

Blake's favorite part about third grade is that his second grade teacher moved up a grade and he was lucky enough to land in her class again.

Crew's favorite part about preschool is well, everything. Snacks, friends, coloring, and especially cutting with scissors. It hadn't dawned on me to pull out scissors yet with child number three but he wakes up each morning talking about them.

Such a sweet boy, always finding me flowers to put in my hair.

This fab five of friends and neighbors makes quite the crowd in preschool. 

Maybe now that we're back in school I will be able to get caught up on life, but I'm realizing more and more that nonstop is our new normal. So here's to another year of schedules, homework, sports and hopefully some sleep once and awhile!