Last winter was so long and cold and we had so much snow that spring came as such a relief. School ended and I was so excited about spending the whole summer with my babies! And as always, summer just flew by. The girls start school next week. Here are some highlights of our summer!
Concerts I’ve Attended
Okay, so this really was more of a recital. Lily had her first piano recital in June, and she was amazing! It always surprises me how much Lily loves to perform. She had all her pieces completely memorized, and even played one of her own compositions.
Activities We Did
Swimming – Lily signed up for the swim team this summer, and so I drove her to swim practice every day for about six weeks. At the beginning of the summer, I knew it was going to be a big commitment. The first week was cold and really hard for Lily. She had to swim laps for two hours and didn’t know anyone else on her team. She was worn out and lonely, and wanted me to come early to watch her swim. The weather was so crummy this summer that several swim meets had to be postponed and rescheduled. Lily persevered, made friends, and by the time she had her conference meet, she was already saying that she can’t wait to be on next summer’s swim team!
Emmy continued her swimming lessons this summer, and even though she is resisting, she’s ready for swim team next summer. She can swim 50 yards with no trouble at all! We’ll have to see what happens, which means I’ll probably sign her up and she’ll complain the whole time. Her favorite activity? Staying at home to play!
Not only did we go swimming at the pool, but we also went swimming at Lake Michigan AND in the Pacific Ocean.
Blueberry picking When we go to Michigan to be with family, one of our traditions is to go blueberry picking! My daughters love spending time with their second cousins, and we weren’t able to spend very much time with them this summer. But we did go blueberry picking! We picked over 7 pounds just for my family, and have a freezer full of blueberries!
Birthdays We Celebrated
Emmy turned seven this summer! She is heading for second grade next week. Can you believe it? Because seriously, I can’t. She is growing up right before my eyes!
Books I’ve Read
One of my favorite things about summer is sitting by the pool and reading during my daughter’s swimming lessons.
The Goldfinch – The summaries I read didn’t even come close to scratching the surface of what this 700+ page book is about. It’s a good book, but it has too much drug use and fuzziness for my taste. There were several times when I just wanted to reach in and give the main character a good shake!
Destroyer Anger – I love Anna Pigeon, Nevada Barr’s feisty Park Ranger. While this book was fairly predictable, especially if you’ve read other Anna Pigeon books, it was a great summer read.
Me Before You – Heartbreaking but also wonderful. I loved this book.
Movies We’ve Seen
We don’t go to many movies in the theater, so our pick this summer was How to Train Your Dragon Two. Even Ed liked it! (He is not a movie guy. He’d rather be outside doing something!) The girls loved this movies, and think Toothless is the cutest dragon ever!
Places We’ve Traveled
Less than a week ago, we arrived home after a fun-filled two weeks in California! Our travels deserve their own posts, which I’m going to write soon. We went to four National Parks and visited some other great places. Not only that, but we dragged one of my sisters along for the ride!
Seriously, as I look back, I think it’s okay that summer is ending. We managed to pack a lot into a short amount of time!
Tell us what you did on your summer vacation, and feel free to link up any summer posts this week on The Spin Cycle! Be sure to visit my partner, Gretchen, to see what she’s been doing this summer!
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That sounds like a very very busy summer! We have had the most fantastic weather here for about two months. People who paid good money to go to Turkey and Spain to get some sunshine, were very disappointed since they could have had it for free right here in their own country!
Mara recently posted…I just want to
That is pretty funny, Mara! I’m glad you’re having such nice weather, and I’m looking forward to hearing all about your holiday!
Ginny Marie recently posted…How Can Summer Be Over Already?
I’m impressed Lily is composing her own music! That’s wonderful! And I’m sure both your girls could beat me in swimming!
A.J. Cattapan recently posted…What I Did on My Summer Vacation
I need to record her playing it! Her piano teacher worked with her and I was impressed myself!
Ginny Marie recently posted…How Can Summer Be Over Already?
Lily performed her own composition? SO impressed! And don’t you love swim meets? They’re just the coolest athletic event of all. Have to say, meeting all of you was a highlight of my summer!
Meeting you was totally a highlight for me as well! I really wish we lived closer and could meet more often! Enjoy your visit with Mommy and Pop. š
Ginny Marie recently posted…How Can Summer Be Over Already?
You guys certainly did have a busy summer! If it wasn’t so short I would have been able to savor it more!
Kristina Walters @ Kris On Fitness recently posted…St. Christopher’s Summerfest 5K Recap
Summer goes by way too fast, doesn’t it? š
Ginny Marie recently posted…How Can Summer Be Over Already?
Loved all you got to do this summer and like you I am so not looking forward to winter rearing its ugly head again and hoping upon hope that the next few weeks don’t fly by too quickly now with the weather still being nice here.
Janine Huldie recently posted…Back To School Tips 101
Yes, you and I think alike! I’m not ready for fall at all! I think we are supposed to have some really nice weather in the next couple of weeks. I hope so!
Ginny Marie recently posted…How Can Summer Be Over Already?
That’s amazing that she’s composing her own music! Go Em! Sounds like you had a VERY fruitful (pun intended) summer. Mine was mostly low key, but we were able to take a beach vacation that went better than I thought.
Beach vacations are always a good thing in the summer! I wish we had been able to spend more time at the beach. Thanks for stopping by!
Ginny Marie recently posted…How Can Summer Be Over Already?
We had so many birthdays here this summer! Three within my immediate family, plus my dad and the birth of my niece.
One thing we haven’t done is blueberry picking. I fear we’re almost too late!
Tamara recently posted…Scarlet Is In The Hotseat!
That is a lot of birthdays! Congratulations on your new niece. She is quite a sweetie!
Ginny Marie recently posted…How Can Summer Be Over Already?
Sounds like y’all had a great summer!!!
We had a very low key summer – no big trips or activities and it was kind of nice that way. My boys started school this past weekL(
Kim recently posted…Trying New Things (8/10-8/16)
What an awesome summer! It looks like you made great use of the time!
Nicole Hallford recently posted…Quick Takes
We didn’t do much swimming this summer…It was too cold for me most days!
We love How to Train Your Dragon 1…Hoping to see the second one soon with the hubby to see if it will be too scary for our youngest. (I heard one of the characters dies…so I don’t know yet!)
They do grow up so fast, don’t they? Love that smile with her birthday ice cream!
Theres Just One Mommy recently posted…Back to School I Spy Craft
Sounds like it was a good summer but it did go by very quickly! My friends children when back to school two weeks ago!
Deborah Pucci recently posted…WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE
Sounds like the perfect summer break. Summer was a bit cold this year, but still a nice break from our awful winter.
Sharon, The Mayor of Crazyville recently posted…Introduction of My Farmer Pen Pal
Sounds you like you had a lovely summer vacation. I also read Me Before You and I loved that book. Thanks for sharing your summer highlights. Your girls are so precious!
This Busy Life recently posted…Staycation
You sure kept yourself busy this summer! Where in Michigan did you go? It’s hard to believe summer is nearly over already!! Seems like we barely had one here.
Jeanne recently posted…He Slept Good Last Night
We had a good summer but in looking back it really flew by. Time seems to work that way, doesn’t it?
Rabia @TheLiebers recently posted…How I Earned My Wrinkles {Book Review}