Summer Break 2024: Week 1

I'm officially on summer break for the next 4.5 weeks!  We have a short summer this year as our school calendar was adjusted for an earlier start back in August but we are planning to fill these weeks with many memories at home and on vacation!  Zander spent most of this week at the beach with the other fifth graders from our church.  I think he had a blast and came home this evening somewhat tired from all his adventures!  He enjoyed time at the beach and the pool, got to share a room with one of his best friends, learned more about God through his bible study time and made memories that I believe this group of friends will be talking about for years to come!

I had to work on Monday so the boys enjoyed a day with Grammy, Aunt Lindsey and their cousins.

Maddox enjoyed "only child" status for the rest of the week as we dropped Zander off for camp first thing Tuesday morning and just picked him up this evening.  We went to the movies with Aunt Lindsey, Emerson and Eli on Tuesday.  We fit in two pool days this week with friends.  Maddox was my exercise buddy on two occasions where he biked while I ran.  He had his best friend, Austin, spend the night one night while his brother was gone.  We also got some sweet treats that were well earned from good report cards (Krispy Kreme) and at least 400 minutes read within a month (Nothing Bundt Cakes).  As you can see below... we wore him out as well as he fell asleep on the way home from dinner with the Williams family on Thursday night!  Onto week 2 of summer break....  

Happy Father's Day 2024!

We are blessed with some amazing fathers in our lives.  We got to celebrate three of them on Saturday night at Bowman Gray Racing!  It was a fun evening out where the adults and kids had a blast!  

So very thankful for Zack... he keeps our family together, loves us fiercely and works relentlessly to support us.  Our boys are lucky to have him as a role model of a Godly man.  I am thankful I get to spend my life with him and that we can work together to raise these boys who are entrusted to us. :)

The righteous who walks in his integrity- blessed are his children after him. - Proverbs 20:7

We are missing PawPaw especially this year as this is the first one since he passed away last July.  

We finished out Maddox's all star baseball season last weekend at a tournament with a record of 2-2.  Sadly, they didn't advance to the next round of play but it was so much fun to see #26 on the field! He made some incredible plays at short stop and first base and had a significant in the park home run that helped propel his team to their second victory of the weekend!  He is quite the ball player!

We have worn him out with all the baseball and Grammy Camp activities this week!

We enjoyed a pool party to celebrate the end of the school year.  I love these kids and their parents!

We fit in our annual backyard camping experience on Friday night.  We didn't get much sleep but I enjoyed the extra cuddles with my two boys!

The previous four years of backyard camping....

While it may be Father's Day weekend, the moms got to have our annual spa day on Saturday.  The massages are incredible, the lazy pool time is needed but the company is my favorite part of this tradition!

Grammy has earned her spa day!  She kept our boys entertained this week while I was still working before I start "summer break".  They enjoyed the pool most days and the local children's museum.  Grammy even added one of Zander's best friends for one of the Grammy Camp days!  She is going to need a break after all this fun!

Zander's Fifth Grade Graduation

Zander had his fifth grade graduation on Friday.  He is officially a middle schooler! Daddy, Grammy, Grandpa, Grannie, Aunt Lindsey, Emerson and Maddox got to join in the celebration!  I got to hand him his certificate and give my oldest a hug as he crossed the stage.  #workperk ;)

My view from stage ;)

The staff mamas!  Can't believe we had nine staff kids finish fifth grade this week! I was the only one pregnant with Zander in 2013!  We have added some amazing kids and their parents over the years.  So blessed to work with these ladies and cheer on our kids together!

Last Day of School 2024!

We made it!  Zander has officially finished elementary school and Maddox is headed off to 3rd grade!  We will enjoy a summer first before thinking about this! Mama might not be ready!  Enjoy the "last day of school" pictures.... these boys are growing up fast!

I decided to wear the same dress I wore for Z's first day of kindergarten and his last day of fifth grade! He grew a little bit in those six years! ;)

When I complete the 5th grade graduation post, keep in mind, I will be looking at him and remembering these pictures and wondering how it all went by so fast!  The days are long but those years are really short!

First day of Kindergarten.... a friend snapped a picture of him reading the note in his lunchbox..... I can't believe he won't be eating lunch in this same cafeteria anymore. 

We fit in some last week of school fun as well.  I got to grab dinner with my friends.

I enjoyed a final lunch with my fifth grader, a 5th grade pizza party, a 2nd grade ice cream social and a staff vs. 5th grade kickball game.... the staff won! ;)

We celebrated Maddox's honor roll for the year at the awards day and went out to breakfast two mornings that week (ChickFila and Waffle House).  Since I won't be taking Z to school next year, we wanted to enjoy these mornings together.  Check out Maddox's summer bucket list items... we will be knocking them all out this summer... stay tuned...

Grabbed pictures with all of Zander's teachers from Kindergarten through 5th Grade.  Mrs. Noell, Zander's kindergarten teacher, is retired but her assistant, Mrs. Clinard, is still there!