I'm so far behind on documenting my memories because we've been so busy having fun making memories to be documented! This summer has flown by and school starts as soon as I blink, so I made it a personal goal to at least document one month of summer before it's all completely over.
People often ask me how I find the time and energy to be on-the-go with the kids, and I always say it's because I know time will fly, and I want to make the most of my time with them for as long as they'll let me. Right now, they actually WANT to hang out with me and go places and do things with me. In a few years, that may not be the case. But at least we'll have the memories....and hopefully these moments will help foster a positive relationship for when they reach those treacherous middle-school and teenage years. At least, I can hope....right?
So, June. Wow, that seems so long ago when summer just started and felt like it would last forever. We took a trip to the Smokies, where we had planned to spend time hiking to waterfalls and go-karting, but there was always a threat of storms so we ended up staying at the resort most of the time. Luckily, rain wasn't really an issue and we were able to soak in the rays and enjoy the outdoor pool and activities - something we rarely get to do since we usually go in the off-season. The kids and Justin enjoyed the slides, while I was completely content kicking back in the lazy river or lounging poolside with my books.
We opted to try this super sketchy but amazingly reviewed hole-in-the-wall diner in a gas station.
It was actually quite tasty!
The best lazy river I've ever been on.
Aren't these guys the best?
Awaiting a tasty meal at Mama's Farmhouse
Hot Tubbin'
One of the timeshare perks was a photo with this bear. Weird, but ok.
We drove past a sign for a Dolly Parton statue. So we had to stop and pay tribute since we opted not to go to Dollywood this trip.
They made me go on the brand new SkyBridge - the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the U.S. Clearly I was super thrilled.
But the view was awesome!
But then I had to do this to get down.....eep!
June also marked our 10th wedding anniversary, and we opted to celebrate in Chicago sans kiddos. It was not quite a relaxing vacation but it was so nice to have the time to spend with Justin doing all we wanted to do!
Typical tourists at Cloud Gate
Managed to score seats at the Chef's Table at Girl and the Goat for our anniversary!
Their signature dish: Goat Empanadas. Umm, YUM!
They even comped us a free dessert for our special occasion!
Post dinner at Navy Pier
Chicago day 2: We opted for culture.
First stop: Art Institute
Second Stop: Sushi!
Third Stop: Hamilton!
Day Three: More Touristy Photos after a day of shopping and Field Museum
Did a 360 Tour. Totally touristy.
Can't do Chicago without going on an Architectural Boat Tour. We opted for the sunset/fireworks one.
And you definitely can't do Chicago without getting deep dish pizza! We opted for Lou Malnati's.
Chicago Day Four: After Mass at the cathedral we had to have brunch at the Grand Lux before more shopping and heading home
Introduced Justin to the best beignets outside of New Orleans. A treat I've dreamed about since my first experience years ago on a girls' trip to Chicago!
He approves!
Other June happenings included Xavier's birthday of course, a round of VBS for the kids, and lots of pool and play time!
First Friday Art Crawl!
We love VBS, St. Philip-style!
Post VBS picnic and playdate.
Doesn't summer = ice cream?
And swimming?
And biking?
We rode our bikes to BrentFest and were treated to ice cream with Lolo and Lola.
Seven! Can you believe it? Another year older and another year wiser. And, yes, you are most definitely wise and inquisitive. You ask thoughtful, challenging questions and truly want to know more about everything. As both your teacher and your mom, there have been countless times where I've thought you weren't listening but then you'd come right back at me with a thought-provoking comment or question that makes me realize that you not only were paying attention, but you were trying to wrap sense around it in your head.
You are also so very kind and generous. You always want to pray for the homeless and homebound, and often you want to bring a ziplock bag of your allowance money to donate to the poor or the church. You also are eager to share. If Lolo gives you a snack, you immediately give some to your sister (something that is not often reciprocated, haha). You are also quick to lend books to friends and give all your classmates cards and pictures just because.
Math still comes way easier to you than reading. You've already mastered many of your multiplication facts on your own just because you're interested. I'm working on them with your sister, but you've taken it on yourself to know them, too. Your brain is wired way differently than mine, though, because when I ask you to explain how you arrive at an answer, you've gone a completely different way than I would get to it.
You also have an uncanny ability to fall asleep anywhere - on the floor by the stairs, in hallways, camped out in front of our bedroom, etc. I've been meaning to make an album of all the crazy places you've fallen asleep! We joke that you're just like Lolo!
Don't know why you woke up early then got your chair to camp out in front of our room just to snooze some more!
I won't lie, though. You definitely have the ability to drive me crazy. Everything's always a joke or funny to you, and it's hard to get you to concentrate or be serious about things like practicing your violin. Even when we reprimand you on something, you try to weasel your way out with your charm or a silly act. And when it comes to remembering where you put things like water bottles or lunch boxes or library books, you quickly turn into Forgetful Jones. I don't even know how much allowance money you've given back to me to offset the cost of such lost items!
But, alas, all of these things make you you. And for that, I love you. You've come pretty far in your seven years. I look back at those pictures from before and it all seems so hazy and far away. I miss holding a little tiny you. I miss your scratchy voice from those toddler years. I miss it all, but I'm also so excited to see what comes next because I'm convinced that you're going to continue to do incredible things with yourself and I can't wait to see what it is!
Love,
Mommy
P.S. This was the first time in several years that we weren't traveling for your birthday. We had promised you a birthday party, but then you said you were content just celebrating it small with our family. The night before we went to Uncle Julio's for a yummy dinner and chocolate pinata since daddy had to work during your actual birthday dinner. And the day you turned 7 was spent doing everything you wanted - Mass, brunch at Ruby Sunshine, a family bike ride, trip to Above All trampoline park, time spent playing at home with your new birthday gifts, and a Filipino birthday dinner made by Lola. Not a bad birthday, kid!
