Sweet, Sweet Summer

My mom gets to hang out with both kiddos on Fridays during the summer.  Cadence has been attending summer camp, but she stays home with Colin on Fridays.  They are some lucky kids!  If they're not hanging out at home doing crafts or playing in the pool, you'll find them at the park, at the zoo, taking a tour of Velvet Ice Cream, or at the mall!

I took Colin to a birthday party for one of his buddies from school.  The party was at a park and Colin was so proud of himself for climbing to the top of the jungle gym!

A couple of weeks ago, the Tanger Outlet mall near our house celebrated their 1 year anniversary.  They had food trucks on site and lots of stuff going on for the kids. 

That evening, we checked out the St. John Neumann festival.  We had a good time!

Cadence has had fun at summer camp.  She gets to hang out with kids that she's known since pre-school (and daycare days) and they keep her busy.  She goes on field trips every Monday and goes swimming at a really fun indoor pool every Wednesday.  They have lots of activities and guests planned for Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

Cookies and Canvas

Glow Putt Putt

I also recently took Cadence to her first orthodontist appointment.  Her dentist recommended it, plus she's had some teeth that she's lost, but haven't had any permanent teeth grow in their place!  The orthodontist was great and I'm glad we like him -- I think we'll be seeing a lot of him in the future.  At this point in time, though, he recommended that we see him again in 6 months.  In the next few months, she'll probably lose more teeth, which will make room for the teeth that haven't made their appearance yet.  

Mike came into town for Dad's 60th Birthday.  After Mom picked him up from the airport with the kids, they stopped by my office to say hi and then went out to lunch!

So sweet

Starting in February, I started reaching out to Dad's friends and family members.  I went way back to college days and friends from Massachusetts.  I saw something on Pinterest forever ago and decided that would be something special to do for my dad when he turned 60 years old.  I tried to gather a total of 60 memories from those near & dear to my dad.  It was a lot of work following up with those that I contacted, but it was so worth it.  I loved reading everything that people remember about my dad!  There was a common theme -- my dad is terribly sweet and patient, he has an awesome sense of humor, he has an incredibly green thumb, and is always there to help.  He really is the best dad.

He had to read them in phases -- we read them all throughout the day!

Thank you to everyone who took time out to send me a note to include -- he loved the gift!

Danny and I were both fortunate enough to have July 3rd off for the holiday this year.  We treated the kids to dinner and a movie -- we saw Despicable Me 3!

We wrapped up the long weekend with the 4th of July parade.  It's always a hit with the kids.

Sunbury also had a lot going on at the Square!

I had to include this pic of the pooch Mom snapped for us one day while she was pup-sitting.  Scarlet makes herself right at home at Grandma & Poppa's house.

Cadence's 7th Birthday

Ladies and gentleman, we have a 7 year old!  Cadence has grown into quite a little lady.  She's reading very well and is doing excellent in math.  This past school year, she participated in some after school art classes as well as piano lessons.  We're still trying to figure out if she wants to continue with either when 2nd grade begins in the fall.  I recently just had some of her artwork framed to put up in the house -- she's that good!  She loves riding her scooter and mustered up the courage to get back on her bike.  When she first got her bike, she fell off and that scared her away from riding for a while!  She's able to swim across the pool without her Puddle Jumper and likes to go after diving sticks and such at the bottom of the pool.  She still loves to sing and has become less interested in the "baby" shows on the Disney channel.  She's more into Nickelodeon now.  She adores her little brother, but is quick to argue with Colin as well.  And boy, can she be sassy.  She loves animals, as well as stuffed animals.  I've lost track of how many teeth she's lost.  Last week we went to her first orthodontist appointment -- we were told to come back in 6 months.  She's enjoying summer camp and being with her friends she's known since pre-school.  We're so proud of all that she's accomplished in her short, little 7 years of life.  We can't wait to see what's yet to come. 

Morning of her birthday

Opening presents that night; she loved her outfits that match her American Girl doll.

And the furniture to store it all!

This kid gets to celebrate her birthday for, like, a month!  She had cookies with her class, cookies at home, and cookie cake at her birthday party.  

Colin wanted to take some pictures with my phone -- he snapped this cute one of Cadence not too long ago.  It was supposed to be of my mom and Cadence, but, ya know, he's 4.

We decided on Star Lanes for this year's birthday party.  They did a great job -- the staff was helpful and the place was really clean.  Not like your typical, ol' bowling alley!

Cadence wanted a puppy theme, so that's what she got!

After the bowling and food, we had some arcade time!

She received an outfit that matched Gracie's -- they were too cute together.