The Final Weekend of Summer

The last weekend before all the kids were in school, we went to a movie and then a fun swim party. Nick was busy working on remote popcorn sales for scouts and a football draft, so I had to do the party alone. Luckily, another mom helped watched Noah so I could stay with Wyatt and Charlotte in the shallow area.

Charlotte was hesitant at first, but soon became (almost too) brave venturing out in the deeper water

Noah hanging out with the older boys (from the other mom's camera)

We had a soccer game in the hot, hot sun on Sunday. Charlotte and I had to sit under an umbrella to keep from passing out. Wyatt stayed home with dad.

It was also dad's birthday and we celebrated with an Oreo cake

Summer Vacation Week 12

Saturday was a non-kid centered day. I attended a baby shower and then we had a parents' night out at the movies.

Nick did take the kids to the train restaurant while I was at the shower

Sunday was the annual Cub Scout picnic.

Noah and I had to cut out early in order to make it to his first soccer game of the season. They let him play goalie that game, which is his favorite thing to do.

On Tuesday, Wyatt had a doctor check-up

And then we all went to check out Noah's second grade classroom

We have the same teacher as our neighbor friend had last year and so we had to look up his 2nd grade advice in the welcome book

 She's almost in preschool, but tries to sneak her pacifier when she can

We celebrated our last summer lunch together by going to the indoor playground at McDonald's

Wednesday was Noah's first day of 2nd Grade

They decided to replace the school sign over the summer, but didn't finish it in time for first day of school pictures.

 He picked out a superhero light-up backpack this year

Down to just the two of them at our bus stop

The school is using a new app this year and so we get more pictures and updates than ever before. This was Noah's class on the first day of school.

Thursday was more soccer (Noah had practices and games 2-3 times a week)

Thursday night was free hot dog night at a local restaurant, so we had to make a stop there after soccer

Summer Vacation Week 11

And so we arrive at Noah's last full week of summer vacation (the other two had one extra week). We woke up bright and early on Saturday and drove down to the Rainbow Scout Reservation to do a fossil hunt. It was still really hot and we didn't really find much. Next time we'll have to bring our experienced family member with.
 

Charlotte was not a fan of fossil digging. She looked quite out of place all dressed up for the party we were headed to afterwards.

Daddy to the rescue.

The boys enjoyed it and earned a nice patch for their vests.

 We left the fossil hunt and quickly hustled up to Great Grandma's 100th Birthday Party.

  

Noah keeping an eye on the dessert table.

We had a great time celebrating the fantastic Grandma Sue.
 

We took a lot of family portraits to remember the occasion

It was quite a feat trying to wrangle all eight rambunctious great-grandchildren who range in age from 2 to 7.

We were also lucky that many of Grandma's extended family were able to join us including her last remaining sibling, her sister Helen.

The following day we met up with the family again for a trip to the zoo.

Much to my and Charlotte's dismay, we also visited the arachnid exhibit

While she was sleeping, I bought her a unicorn buddy and attached it to her arm.

Afterwards, we stopped for frozen yogurt in La Grange

And then dinner back at Dennis' house.

I love when all the great-grand kids are together

It was middle child day, so I snapped a picture of all the middle children who were present

Tuesday was art day at the house. Wyatt worked on a raccoon he made from his hand.

Noah did shrinky dinks (in his underwear...)

And Charlotte did some Magic Painting

 We also made cookies

On Thursday, Noah had his second week of Fire soccer training in conjunction with the soccer league that we decided he should give a try.

 Friday was wear oven mitts on your feet day

 And we went out for dinner