As summer ends...

Most people have started school by now but we are soaking up our last few days of summer and loving it. Here are a few things in the past couple weeks that haven't made it to the blog yet. 

 We've been playing with neighbors as much as possible. 

 Lately AG and Kinley have been very into "doing their makeup and hair" which basically means they coat as much color on their face and hair gel in their hair as possible. I pretty much immediately make her shower down....gross....but, they feel like princesses.

   

sweet Maddi...this jumper was Kinley's once. 

 I think the pass-down train is...Kinley, AG, Guiliana, Maddi...Payton is next!  

Mav loves a good princess dress still...  

And here is a "wedding" we are witnessing...not sure who is getting married???  

the "babies" are getting so BIG!

Leslie hosted 80's Bunco one night and we lived it up. How fun to be an adult in the 80's...crazy hair, clothes, music...no instant technology...we only wish!

  

My genuine 80's-mom outfit courtesy of Jen Fogle's mom's closet...jealous!?  

I made rainbow fruit kabobs as my treat. 

 I decided these are a must for St. Patty's Day with a little bowl of gold chocolates at the bottom.

   

semi-group shot...  

Playgroup one day at the Gateway indoor play area  

My favorite thing ever is just hearing my kids play together around our house.  They have such a great time together and are together 24/7 during the summer months.  I am a little sad they will have to separate during the school year.

Here they are going for a "train ride" kinley pushing ty in the baby stroller  

Eating breakfast in bumbos and sharing one tray.

Some late night ice cream and silly faces with my girl. Ty busted out his art skills all over his legs and loved it. we've been prepping for school and I finally got Ty's napmat done.
 Just need to have it monogrammed.
 
I should have made it double-wide to hold these two together with their crazy morning hair.
 
 We went to see Rocking Snow White at Artie's. I really think me, mom and Lindsey just tagged along on Kinley and Mav's date.
blurry pic...but, look how happy she is dancing at the end!
this girl pulled off the perfect Disney Princess voice
Artie the Monkey!
 
Honey's first Artie's experience...so glad she could come!

Ella and McKenna came over one day to play...they girls did lots of makeup... my bathroom rug still looks like this...just because I am lazy and haven't washed it yet....and it's just evidence of a great time.
And Kenna and Ty were precious together as usual.
 
There is also lots of party prep going on around here for Ty's 2nd birthday.  More on that later.  I really cannot believe my baby is about to be two years old and is about to start school!  Crazy.
This is our very last weekend of summer 

while the dads are away...the children will play

Ben has had some really fun weekends away in the last month.  Three in a row actually...most recently dove hunting on opening day with his parents and the Reads, Fredericksburg the weekend before that, and before that his men's bible study weekend away at our lakehouse. 

I am beyond thankful for the men in Ben's bible study.  He is challenged and supported and held accountable by these men and it has been such a blessing for him and our whole family.  These guys love each other.  They text...and this is no  joke...probably 200 times a day in their group text.  Ben can be away from his phone 45 minutes and have 45 texts.  I have no idea what they all say to each other all day, all  I know is I hear that duck quack text notification all.the.time.  It just so happens that all the wives of his bible study men's group are also our playgroup moms.  We also group text but, the boys are definitely 100 times worse than us.  But, I am not complaining.  I am truly thankful for these godly and influential men and fathers.  I stole some pics off of Ben's phone (I am sure he got through text) and am blogging them without permission.
(sorry...kind of)

Well, while the dad's were away regrouping and enjoying lots of golf and grilled food...we decided it would be a good idea to have a playgroup sleepover!  I am not sure what we were really thinking...11 kids and 5 moms under one roof...but, I would call it a success.  Everyone slept at some point. So, that counts, right!?

We kept busy while dad was away with a couple more birthday parties.  Aubrey turned 5 and Kinley got to celebrate with just a handful of Aubrey's best friends at her SPA birthday party!  Nails and toenails painted, brunch and robes for party favors!  It was so, so cute and these girls loved it!!

Since dad was gone, Ty had to come with me.  He enjoyed being the only boy for a bit and a cupcake too.

Sunday, when the dad's were back, we all had Arabella's birthday party at Keller Pointe.  We swam and celebrated Little Mermaid style.

 

We post-partied on the playground outside where they apparently encourage parents to get their workout on while their kids play.  To my dismay...AG taught Kinley to say "CG...wut wut!"
  (yes, they really say that at Camp Gladiator...but, I try to ignore it)  
It is so nice to keep busy and have lots of activities while dad is away...but, we are always so ready and excited for him to be home!

some special visitors!

I am very behind on blogging but in an effort to catch up, I have to post about a couple weekends ago when Jen, Eden and Jack came in town to visit!  It is hard to believe that it has been a year already since the Fogles moved to Illinois.  I am so thankful that we have remained such close friends despite the distance.  We all pick up right where we left off just like old times and it is just so fun!

We went to the water park one day and swam and played and ate lunch.

And we had a fantastic sleepover!  Kinley and Eden have wanted a sleepover since they could speak and this was really their first one.  It was so, so fun!  We went for snocones in our pjs, played outside, and watched late night movies. 

Mindy got to spend the night too and we had some fun girl time chatting and watching movies after the kids went to bed. I am so, so thankful for these sweet friends. I don't know what I would do without these girls!?

It was just the most fun!  I can't wait till they come visit again.  I think a sleepover with the Fogles and Aunt Mindy is required on every visit now.