Good-bye, June!

We just blinked and the first month of summer break is behind us.  It was a jam-packed month of activities, camps, vacations, and fun.  School ended, we were in California for a week and a half, and then we had our first actual week of summer.

That first week gave us time to start our summer activities, like tech kids and rehearsals for Moana and Shakespeare.

Adelie wanted to try out swim team, so she joined the Roanoke Blue Dolphins for the summer.  Swim practices every morning and meets an evening or two each week kept Adelie's schedule busy.

Staley helped Lila celebrate her birthday with a day of shopping with Lila, Uma, and Papa...

and Adelie joined some friends for a day of scone making and hanging out together.

Staley, Liam, Elliott, and Ella all ran in the Heart House 5K race.

Staley and Liam both got 2nd place in their age groups.  Staley finished in 23:18.

After just a week at home, the girls packed up again and headed to Miracle Camp for another week away with friends.

Staley, Kaitlyn, Kelsey, and Olivia had a great time in their 4th (and last) year at the junior high camp.  After one year at the grade school camp and 4 at the junior high camp, they are already talking about next year at the high school camp.

They always come home with so many stories about all the things they do and all the fun they have.

Adelie and Stella enjoyed their 2nd year together at the junior high camp (plus one year at the grade school camp and a one night camp at Little Galilee their first year together).

I love that my girls have this opportunity every summer to experience freedom, make new friends, grow in their faith, and make such great memories that they talk about all year long.

Briggs wanted to go to sleep away camp too, but we weren't sure about sending him all the way to Michigan.  Instead, he joined his cousins at their church camp in Bloomington.  Apparently, he did fine the first night, but the next night he felt a little homesick, got upset, and ended up throwing up, so we picked him up in the middle of the second night.  He had a lot of fun during the day portion of camp and, after a day at home, went back for the final full day of camp.  He told us, "I'm ready for camp, but maybe not the sleep away part."  I'm glad he was only 30 minutes away instead of 4 hours, and I'm glad that he still came away with lots of stories and fun memories.

After returning from camp, we had another big, full, busy week starting with Staley and I going to watch the Stage Teens show "All Shook Up" just a few short hours after Staley got home from camp.

We got together with my family for Father's Day and June birthdays.

The girls got to attend a Master Class with Broadway star Cassie Sylva and then got to perform with her at a benefit concert that evening with NTA.  She was so sweet and personable...and fabulously talented.

My friend, Christie, and her two girls stayed with us most of the week while they were home.  We celebrated Isla's birthday...

hung out, went swimming a few times, and choreographed an original dance to 'Chandelier' by Sia.

Staley had her end of the year quiz team party at State Farm park and pool with a picnic, making an end of the year video, and swimming with her quiz team friends.

Our busy week was even busier as we fit in Briggs' swim lessons every morning with Ms. Lisa and Ms. Gretchen.  He did great in the advanced beginner class.  Swimming really seemed to click for him this summer more than any other year.

Staley's summer days at home have been full with cross country open runs, NTA classes and activities, and dance team rehearsals.

Adelie did a book talk at the local library about her book, 'The Bandit's Grace'.  She donated a copy of her book to the library over 8 months ago, and it is never on the shelf!  There is a long waiting list of people wanting to read her book.

There was a great turn out for Adelie's book talk.  The library provided pizza and snacks, and then Adelie talked about her book and read an excerpt.  She then answered questions, and the kids asked great questions about her book and the process of writing it and publishing it.

After her talk, a group of Adelie's friends came back to our house for popsicles and play time.  Adelie enjoyed that time with friends, many of whom she hadn't seen since school got out for the summer.

The girls have also performed several times with their Rising Stars and Singapella groups at various events around the area.

Staley has had the opportunity to perform her summer solo, 'Happy' by Pharrell Williams twice so far this summer.

And although Briggs' summer schedule is way less busy than the girls', he has made time for lots of playing with neighbor friends, reading, building Legos, hanging out at home, going to the girls' swim meets and performances, and enjoyed helping his friend, Bryli, celebrate her birthday with a fun play date at her house.

The girls and I capped off our busy June week at home with going to see some NTA friends perform in the Chillicothe Player's show 'Shrek, Jr.'

And, after ALL we fit into our one week at home after camp, we packed up and headed for a week in...

Pentwater!!  What a great way to finish out our June.  June was just a busy, full month of vacation, home, camp, home, and then vacation again.  We fit SO much into those few home weeks that we had.  It's hard to believe that the first month of summer break is behind us.  But now we are looking forward to slowing down a bit, fitting in some more of our summer bucket list items, and enjoying all that July has for us.