AUGUST….sigh. The final countdown to the end of summer and the beginning of another school year. The lazy days of June and July are usually a distant memory, while we pack as much fun and activity into the last weeks, ensuring that we’ve completed everything on our “summer bucket list.” In year’s past, I’ve spent the last 10 or so days of vacation purchasing school supplies, shopping for new shoes and clothes, searching Pinterest for school lunch ideas, etc. Not this year, as I had a new strategy. Summer vacation is short enough, so I decided to forego all responsible behavior and eek out every last minute of fun. The other stuff could wait. After all, the first few weeks of school are usually blazing hot, so the kids are begging to wear summer shorts and flip flops.
But, before we commenced all of the fun, we first had a few unfortunate items of business. Jackson had a front tooth that had been hanging on for months, I swear. It was so loose that if I’d given it a dirty look it would have fallen out. But, no. He was attached to it for a reason I don’t understand and refused to pull it out. So, a trip to the dentist was in order. While Dr. Keith was in there, he pulled 2 other rogue teeth….the first of many to come, I’m afraid. This picture just cracks me up….our dentist is a proponent of sedation for the kiddos, and I fully agree. So, when I snapped this pic, Jackson was as goofy as they come.
A few days later we were back in the urgent care with our second broken bone for this little lady. That really fancy and safe trampoline that we bought was the scene, but I’m happy to report there were no falls or collisions, just a fluke accident. Anyway, one pink WATERPROOF cast and 4 weeks later, and we were good as new.
Speaking of the summer bucket list, one of the items included taking a family fishing trip with Grandpa. Off we went with the boat in tow, and after a quick stop at the liquor store for “supplies”, we arrived at our little cabin in the middle of nowhere. No offense to those of you who may be from Albany, WY….but it really is nowhere….there is NO CELL SERVICE. How do people survive without being able to document their activities on Facebook? I kid, it was actually very nice to “unplug” for a couple of days, and being unavailable doesn’t cause me nearly the amount of anxiety that it causes others….(I am looking at you John:-).
Now, looking at these pictures I’m sure you’re scrolling back to the top to make sure we’re still talking about August, because we are bundled up like it’s winter. The sun was out (ask John about his sunburned face), but it was COLD on that water. I stayed on the boat long enough to snap a few pictures, drink a couple of beers, and read an issue of Southern Living magazine. Then, my girls and I went to the spa and left the fishing to the boys. Kidding again….there is no spa within a 100 mile radius, I assure you.
We did have success, and the only person “skunked” on the trip was the master fisherman himself. Yup, each of the kids caught a few fish, John managed one, and Larry was shut out. He wasn’t too upset, and vowed to try, try again.
We arrived back to “civilization” just in time for a much-needed couples date night with two of our favorite party animals. We are all B-U-S-Y people and only manage to get together with these two about twice a year, but if these pictures are any indication….that’s plenty.
In case any of you recognize it, we are in fact at the Town Pump in Old Town. And, yes we had multiple jello shots and cherries. And some beers. And before that, we’d had appetizers and vodka at Jax, followed by dinner and wine at The Kitchen. See where I am going with this?
We were stone cold sober.
Right?
I seriously have no idea what has Kelly and I so tickled, but the succession of pictures is proof that we were having an ok time. (Note: I cannot tell who exactly is on Kelly’s phone screen, but if it’s you, I apologize. It was REALLY funny, whatever it was).
I recovered from my hangover just in time to make one last trip to the pool before we were “back to the grind”. The first day of school was looming, and we needed one more day of fun in the sun before we were forced to acquaint ourselves with the alarm clock once again.
Alas, the big day arrived and my FIRST and THIRD grader were bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready to conquer the world at Tavelli elementary. We’d worked hard on these back-to-school outfits, and I must say they were looking good.
(I slacked a little bit this year on the posters. If you’ll look at the same picture in 2014, I outdid myself with poster board and stuff. This year I frantically grabbed a piece of paper from the printer and a Sharpie a few minutes before the bus arrived. FAIL).
Back-to-school time also requires getting back to making regular trips to the grocery store, and nothing could make Malory happier. She quickly reacquainted with her favorite horse, and talked me into buying every plastic animal within a 20-mile radius. Thankfully, each of them costs less than 50 cents, because they often don’t make it through the night once they’re introduced to the Twin Terror Basset Hounds.
While we were at the grocery store, we stocked up on Aussie Sprunch Spray and Aqua Net, reminiscent of my high school years. Why you may ask? Because my 6 year-old wanted curly, big hair, and if there’s anything that was my expertise back in 1992, this was it. Thankfully, we stopped just shy of cutting her bangs and spraying them within an inch of their life in an attempt at making them stand straight up. Ahhhhhh…..the 80’s and early 90’s…..that was some BAD hair.
Every year towards the end of summer, our neighborhood hosts the Lindenwood Days extravaganza. That may be overselling it a bit. Apparently 50 years ago it was quite the event, with fireworks, parade, parachuters into the lake, and a days-long party. Times have changed, but our HOA and the one on the opposite side of the lake team up to put on a scaled-back version of the festivities. I think we all hope that someday we can return it to its former glory, but for now we have a parade, carnival for the kids and BBQ/party in the evening. John and I have yet to make it to the BBQ because we always seem to have a more pressing engagement. But, my friend Beth and I team up to make sure our kids are well-dressed for the parade. After much back and forth, many ideas and votes, we settled on a Broncos theme. Poor Reese had a little trouble maneuvering that bike with the broken arm, so we picked her up on the scooter a half-mile into the parade route.
Finally, a few loose ends to tie up for this long month…..
We had a visit from my favorite nephew and his family for one last lake day before summer officially ends. I don’t have any other pictures from the weekend, except for the following gem.
So, I’m pretty sure this is Tyler’s first appearance on the family blog. He’s clearly not my little nephew anymore….the young man is over 6 1/2 feet tall. I just thought this picture was worthy of a blog spot because he looks like one of those clowns at the circus trying to ride the tricycle. That scooter fits me just fine, but I may have to add some air to the tires before I ride it next.
And lastly, up next is September and do you know what that means? Yes, the beginning of football season and the much-anticipated Rocky Mountain Showdown between one of the best teams in the state and CSU. Ha! I’ll tell you in advance who didn’t win this year…..
