Summer Recap

So I started off this summer with a very ambitious Summer Bucket List, and surprisingly we almost got it all accomplished! This has been the absolute best summer of my life!! We stayed totally busy and enjoyed every single day. I hate that it all has to end as I start a new school year tomorrow, but I feel more at peace with it this year than last. I'm grateful that my job allows me nearly 3 months a year to experience being a stay-at-home-mom, all while still getting a check. The time just flew way too fast!!

Helping me in my classroom!!

Here was the bucket list I created in May…

Pool- duhh..we went swimming as much as possible.

Splash park- we went in May--hated it.

Water park-We went to the Rosemeade Rainforest which is just a community pool, but I am counting as a waterpark because of the awesome kids area. She was indifferent the first time, LOVED it the second time. Wish we could have fit it in again this summer, but will definitely go next year.

Lakehouse- We went for Memorial Weekend and The 4th of July- Great times all around!!

Going out on the boat- so much fun!! Avery loved it, but hated her bulky life jacket towards the end when she was sleepy but couldn't get comfortable. 

Golf cart rides-Avery couldn't get enough! At the lake she would cry if anyone went on a ride without her, and at the beach, I can't even tell you how cute she was. She would say "Hold on tight, guys!" when making turns, and "Here we go ride!" when we would pull out onto the street.

Play dates-We met up with most of Avery's buddies at least once this summer!

Sno Cones-Let's just say Avery knows what the "Pink House" is  for, as she points it out when we drive by. 

Out for Ice cream-  we actually didn't make it out for ice cream..shocking!! But Avery did go on enough Sonic dates with Daddy to get Nerds Slushes, that we didn't really need to! Haha!

So this Sonic date was actually with me, but she has gone with Daddy quite a bit, since he is addicted to Nerds Slushies!!

Storytime at the Library-We only made it twice, but Avery loved it!!

Farmer's Market We didn't make it to the Farmer's Market, but I'm sure we will go here in a few weeks when the weather cools down a little.

Perot Museum-We went with my friend, Madelyn, also a teacher, and the best part…teachers get in fo free!! That was a pleasant surprise! The children's area was really neat, and Avery loved seeing the dinosaur bones!

Kylde Warren Park-We took my Aunt there, and met my brother and sister Erica and her kids there too. It was neat to see, but I was disappointed with the children's area. It's definitely for older kids. There was nothing for toddlers, or anyone under the age of 6, I would say. No swings, slides, tunnels, etc. There were two big climbing nets, a merry go round and a couple of sit-n-spins, then a big splash area (overrun with unsupervised kids that were scary to Ave). My niece and nephew (8 and 10) had a blast, but we probably won't be going back for awhile. There are so many great parks, much closer to home. 

Food trucks-We ate some yummy stuff from the food trucks while at Klyde Warren. The best part of the park! Yummy!! Avery was less than impressed though, she wanted to play in the fountains.

Hibachi night-We went for family date night, but Avery was scared of the fire. She didn't cry, but was legitimately terrified. It was also past bedtime by the time our main course was ready, so we got it to-go and bounced. Fail…but worth it because that Filet..mmmm!

Dollar movies (1st movie in theater)-We saw Rio 2 and even though she hadn't seen the first one, she loved it, especially the music! We had to take an intermission potty break and 5 min walk down the hall, but she enjoyed it overall.

Going Bonkers-She liked the quarter machine rides more than playing on the equipment, but that's ok!!

So this ride is at Babies r Us, not Going Bonkers, but she loves these things!

Gymnastics class-I already wrote about how much we loved Little Gym, and depending on our schedule we may have to pick up the Monday night class in a couple of weeks, after we get adjusted to school being back in session. She has learned some awesome stuff, and talks about "Litt Gym" all the time.

Painting Ooops, we missed this one, or crafts of any kind for that matter. Maybe we will do something soon!

Play with sand-She was not a fan of the sand at the beach. I can't blame her, the sand in Galveston was nasty and clay-like, and the seaweed this year was out of control. We are thinking of Florida next year so she can play in white sand and blue water. She loved the ocean waves so much!

Her face says it all

Pick out toys at dollar store-she picked Cheetos and a white puppy who quickly got covered in Cheeto finger prints. Her name is CheetoPuppy! Haha.

Play in sprinkler- At the beach house, playing in the outdoor shower was just as fun as the beach for Avery and Jojo!

Get a kiddie pool- We only used it a few times actually, but it was so fun.

Sea world We changed this plan from San Antonio to Galveston, so no Sea World.

Donut date- We actually did that this morning while Daddy was working.

Family reunion-So fun seeing cousins and extended family that we don't see often enough.

Coffee date-Pretty sure Avery knows the word Starbucks, and asks for chocolate milk when we pass the one in Target or Kroger. Love those moments with my girl!

Not sure what this face is for! Hahah!

Make cookies We didn't do much cooking at all this summer. Too hot! But she did help me make pancakes last weekend.

Zoo- We didn't make it there either, but Avery has been plenty of times with my sister. Hoping to make it to the Fort Worth Zoo soon.

Pet puppies-Do Aunt Connie's dogs count? LOL I wanted to go to a shelter or pet store and play with puppies, but decided it was a bad idea. We'd end up with one! Or Two! Haha.

Sharkarosa Ranch-Sooo cool!! We petted a newborn camel, saw lemurs, goats, zebras, horses,zorses, and more!!

Pick peaches in Terrell- So you can't actually pick your own peaches, but I'm so glad we went to Ham Orchards!! Best peaches ever!! And peach ice cream. And homemade fudge, and a mini farmer's market and delicious BBQ and we got the VIP treatment because my friend and new teammate, Karien's parents own the orchard. 

Arboretum- Well I bought the Groupon, but it was either raining or too hot any time we could have gone. So I think we will go back in the fall, because their pumpkin patch is amazing!!

Feed horses with Alex- Always a fun time! We didn't actually feed the horses this time but we petted them and had a fun photoshoot with A's best buddies!!

Get potty trained!-Welp. We tried. So hard. And some days she is totally trained, and others she flat out refuses. It's a power struggle thing, but I've got to remind myself that for a not even 2 year old, she is amazing and doing great with it.

We also transitioned to a big girl bed this summer and while it was a total nightmare for the first 2 weeks, it is great now. Our sleep is back to normal, and ready for napping on a nap mat at pre-preschool in a couple of weeks!! Yep, my babe is starting mother's day out in September and it's very bittersweet. She is SO excited, but doesn't realize that she won't have mommy or daddy or Lacy with her while she's there yet. I pray that she loves her teachers and enjoys being at "school". It'll be the first time that she will be staying with anyone other than family, so naturally we are a little worried. I hate that I can't drop her off or pick her up, but she will have her cousin Jojo there with her,in a class down the hall. 

She obsessed with her nap mat and wants it out all the time!!

Now that Avery is 22 months, it's time to plan her birthday party! I am still deciding on a theme, but think I have picked the place, so that's exciting! Avery can tell you she's "Almost 2" or "2 in 2 months", but she's showing us the terrible twos already. Holy cow. Miss independent is really turning everything into a power struggle. Sometimes I catch myself losing my patience, but I know I'll miss these moments one day. She is so hilarious too! She makes us laugh, constantly, and she is just so dang smart that it literally blows my mind and melts my heart in the same instant. I will say 22 months is the best and hardest age so far. Exhausting and the most rewarding. The house is never clean, but it's happy. So very happy. 

My loves!!!