8

 

 

As the sun rose and the world slowly started to wake this birthday girl  opened her eyes and with a big grin said "It's my birthday, I'm so ready to be 8!"   Happy Birthday Reyna! I can't wait to see how you define being 8.

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Weekend away

 

 

They were both excited to see this kiosk at a mall for very different reasons...he because it was his first forget spinner. Her because it was a basketball print.

 

My ❤ is happy when life allows all of us to be in the same space together

 

She loved the Disney store

 

I could stay here all day she said again and again

 

A fun find at the World's Largest candy Store 

 

She was finally able to use her girft card to Build A Bear Kelly sent her a long time ago.

A few days spent in a hotel was just the thing we needed.  Swimming, hotel breakfast that included made to order omelets  (we love Embassey Suites for this very reason) Mall of America, all of my kids in the same place at the same time, more swimming, a concert for Josh and Anthony,  and a stop at the World's Largest Candy Store. 

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Girl Scouts

A few of her prizes for selling cookies this past winter. She sold over 800 boxes and was pretty excited by all the rewards she received. 

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Rainy days

 

When the rain prevents you from playing outside but it's summer and outdoors is where you want to be...you put down a blanket and play barbies on the front porch.

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Ice cream cart

 

We had been seeing this little cart around town but had not been able to stop and see what they were selling.  The other day the kids heard the music and in a flash they were out the door determined to see what they had for sale.  They chose some frozen treats and walked away with big smiles, I did too.... I remember summers when I visited my aunt and the excitement the arrival of the ice cream truck generated.  Fun to share a memory with my little ones.

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Drive Inn Movie

 

Finally, we made it to the drive inn theater. Our first visit this season.  Linda and family were there too.  We watched King Arthur and the newest King Kong movie.  It is one of my favorite summer activities. 

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Bubbles

 

She received bubbles as a birthday gift, it was the first thing she wanted to play with.....there is just something so magical about kids and bubbles.

Friend birthday party

 

 

Saturday she celebrated her birthday with her friends. A rainbow scavenger hunt was success. They decorated picture frames and made candy necklaces. 

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Mermaid garden

 

"I think our next fairy garden should have mermaids" the smallest said. Good thing her Momma lives a challenge.

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Promotion ceremony

 

And with a walk across the stage she leaves behind elementary school, where those familiar faces and spaces that have guided, encouraged and taught her so much about life and learning.  With that trademark dimpled grin, and a more confident walk, she faces the new, the unknown that will be next year where she begins 6th grade at the High School. Her outfit so perfectly captures the spirit and personality of Rosie,  those purple and black striped socks peeking out from her dress this morning had her momma pausing, and even as I prepared to question how they could even be considered dressy I stopped and laughed instead, because this child will always remind me of the many beautiful ways to experience life.

Decades project

 

 

The 50's was her decade.

She partnered with a friend to research and document this decade.  

I suggested she wear a poodle skirt she laughed and said I was thinking a leather jacket and black jeans.  I should have known a dress would never be a choice. I listened to their presentation and was wowed by what they had discovered what a great learning project this was.

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Air loungers

 

 

How you imagine it will go VS how it actually goes.  I saw these air loungers  online and instantly thought these would be perfect for summer. Order placed and I continued to imagine how excited my small people would be with this surprise.  Today they arrived and once the work day was complete they grudgingly agreed to pose for a before picture before they  opened these mysterious bags.  There were no shouts of joy, no excited yes, I've always wanted one of these! Just puzzled looks and "what is this"  as I  explained what and how more looks of disbelief and shock.  Clearly I was the only one generating any enthusiasm.  "Fill them" I encouraged not quite ready to call this a failure.  And so they tried, and tried some more, tried again...and then simply stared at me in horror, unbelieving that this was a fun activity more certain it was some mad scheme I had cooked up to torture them.  For the record it did not look so complicated on the video.   Finally success or at least some resemblance to an air filled lounger, but apparently the torture was not quite complete because getting into these things requires some pretty interesting moves. Very entertaining to the one watching not so much for the one lounging....when I asked for a picture of all of them lounging I got the last photo.  I'm confident the enthusiasm will come eventually.....

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S'mores

 

 

The first S'mores of the season 

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Summer play spaces

"I want a space where I can play school, once school gets out" she said this morning.... I accepted that challenge and started pulling pieces from different places and by mid afternoon we had a space that fit those requirements.  She and her little neighbor friend have been filling that space with all sorts or creativity. #itsgoingtobeafavoritespace   #outdoorlearning  #summer

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