Down By The River

The kids finished a fun week at VBS, and Mommy was able to enjoy a few hours alone for three days although most of the time was spent running errands and cleaning the house. :) Tuttle is looking forward to becoming a CIT (Counselor in Training) next year, and Jacob will join the gang for the real VBS experince.

Grandmommy and Grandaddy came into town on Thursday to treat us to dinner and followed it with a pampering day for Grandmommy and Maggie on Friday morning with pedicures. 

We did not stop the busy lifestyle this weekend and went on a family adventure to Helen. We left right after we woke up to tube down the Chattahoochee River.

It was absolutely one of our best family days! Everyone loved the experience and agreed next time that we would take the longer route down the river. The little rapids and drops made for some excitement, and Daddy was the best captain to our tube brigade when we got stuck between rocks. Tuttle opted to float solo- he really appreciates his increased independence.

Everyone was ready for lunch after the river, and Tuttle selected an international restaurant overlooking the river and other tubers. Jacob clearly had a full day because he fell asleep in his food!

A trip to the candy shop after lunch perked everyone up. We quickly hyped up on sugar.

The kids are already scheming to bring friends back to Helen as soon as possible. It was the perfect summer day. Now we are looking forward to celebrating my favorite holiday!

Dancing in the Rain

We were thrilled to welcome Gram home after two weeks in Europe on a riverboat cruise. The kids and I went over to her house for souvenirs before heading to the Battery for lunch and cooling off in the splash pad. After hearing about Gram and Grumps's adventures in Germany, Hungary, and Austria, it makes the countdown to Gram and my trip to Paris so much more real!

VBS started this week, and all three babies are attending a camp at church. This is my first break this summer with everyone occupied in activities. Tuttle and Maggie are both in VBS while Jacob is having fun in drop-in care on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I love how our church creates a space for all ages. :)

Tonight after dinner the perfect summer rain poured down, and the boys opted for a shower outside. It was pure childhood memories. I love these sweet brothers.

Summer Snapshot

Father's Day Weekend

We filled our Father's Day Weekend this year with some of Daddy's favorite things. Friday we hosted the Burke Family at our home for dinner- poke bowls!- for a long overdue get together. Val and I kept commenting that it is rare for the moms, dads, and kids to all love each other equally. We enjoyed the time so much that we planned to see them again on Sunday for a pool day!

Daddy got to work Saturday in the yard, but luckily he had a helper. It was the first time that Jay could split up the work and cut his time in half! I am not sure Tuttle shared his excitement, but there is no turning back now.

We lounged around Sunday morning until it was time to head to the pool, also know as Jay's favorite place on Earth. We stayed all afternoon, got a ton of sun, and considered moving to Dunwoody several times. We are so lucky to have Daddy to share this crazy, wonderful life.

 Happy Father's Day! We are surrounded by the best of the best.

Camp and Crafts

We picked up Tuttle on Friday from camp although he was not ready to come home. I remember crying at the weekly celebration each year because the days at Camp Glisson always fly much too quickly. I love that he is loving this experience as much as I did!

After our annual stop at Dairy Queen for lunch, Tuttle immediately fell asleep. This NEVER happens in the car anymore, so I know he was beyond exhausted.

Maggie, Jacob, and I left Daddy and Tuttle at home for the weekend to recover. We were spoiled at Grandmommy and Grandaddy's house (including a shopping spree for me without children!) while the rain poured the entire time. I was relieved that we were not stuck at home! Maggie and Jacob were not ready to leave on Sunday, but they were eager to show Tuttle their new Lego kits.

It is Maggie's turn for camp this week, and she is attending an American Girl art camp at The Little House of Art. Each day the girls create something special for their dolls, and Maggie is eating it up! She rated today as a 9/10 and immediately came home to plan outfits to match her doll tomorrow. The only stressful part of the camp is picking which American Girl doll to take since Maggie had accumulated 5 big dolls, 1 WellieWisher, and 3 Bitty Babies.

Jacob is being a trooper in the car this week with camp and gymnastics transportation. 

I feel like a full fledged taxi driver without the tips! :)

Mission Camp

While Tuttle has been at Camp Glisson this week, Maggie and I enjoyed Mission Camp, and Jacob attended Drop-In Care at church, as well.

Each day the kids and parents participated in an outreach activity to help our community. I love that the church teaches this attitude early in life. It always has a lasting effect on Tuttle and Maggie when they attend Mission Camp.

Our first day was filled with packing supply bags for nearby organizations, including snack bags for children that need extra food during the summer and art kits for a student center that the church serves. The group successfully assembled over 700 bags!

Our second day brought older adults to the church for an art project, Bingo, and lunch. The adults are part of a charity that the church values, and they always look forward to spending time with the kids. 

Maggie pulled out a Bingo win on the final number!

Maggie befriended a granddaughter of one of the visitors. She told me afterwards that Madeline was her new best friend. :)

Jacob loved his little church camp. It was water week, so the activities and art projects centered around the beach. He was so proud to show off his personalized beach bag.

Our final Mission Camp day took us to the Agape Youth and Family Center for a tour and to serve lunch to the youngest students. The facility serves over 200 students year round that need a safe place to get school support and nutrition. The new building was beautiful, and I am impressed with their mission and programs.

This week also brought on Maggie's first official day on team. She has been practicing with team on Fridays to jump start her skills, but she is now a full Level 3 Peach Pit Team Member. I cannot wait to see her shine at competitions in the fall!

We cannot wait to get our biggest boy back tomorrow!

See You Friday!

Tuttle started his second year at Camp Glisson today. He was counting down the minutes until we could drop him off in his cabin. (I think part of the excitement is the fact that he gets a week without a little brother and sister.) Jacob insisted that he was staying for camp, too, but we were able to lure him away with the promise of ice cream.

I did request that Camp Glisson start an adult week. I really wanted to trade places with Tuttle today!

The ice cream treat was a successful diversion and a perfect photo opportunity.

Maggie decided she would create her own camp at home for Jacob, complete with a tent for their beds. I do not know how long she will stay happy being the counselor to a camper that won't listen to instructions....

I am already looking forward until Friday when we can pick up Tuttle, but I know he is having the BEST time!