End of Summer

It's Labor Day weekend - the unofficial end to summer.  Lucky for us, the pool is just about finished (we're able to swim in it, but some minor details are soon to be wrapped up) and hot weather is on the horizon, so I'm happy about that.  School for both kids is in full swing, so I thought I'd fill you in on the weeks leading up to the start of school.  Enjoy!

While Danny worked on things around the yard in preparation for the old pool demo, my mom and I took the kids to the Powell splash pad.  I think it's the best one around.  There were a lot of little kids there, so I think Colin enjoyed his time there a bit more than Cadence did, but overall, we all had fun.

There's a playground at the splash pad also

Since our pool would be MIA for a while, we hit up Meijer to look for a slip 'n slide.  The kids had fun on the 1 cent pony ride. 😂 Meijer didn't have any slip 'n slides, so we headed over to Walmart.  

Cadence's friend came over the next day and they had fun!

Here are some pictures of Colin from his last few weeks at preschool.

They made root beer floats as part of a science experiment.

And "painted" with straws

They had a bouncy house in the classroom on the last day.

"Peace Out" preschool!  It's been real!

Cadence really enjoyed herself at summer camp this year.  Here she is with some friends at the Ohio History Center. 

They went bowling at Star Lanes...

Swimming each Friday...

Played Glow Putt-Putt...

Painted ceramics...

Went to Sports Ohio...

Went skating...

Went to the Scioto Mile fountains downtown...

And enjoyed Kona Ice

The daycare center also had a pirate themed day

The view in my rear-view mirror cracked me up that morning on my way to drop them off!

As long as nothing drastic changes, I think the kids will both attend summer camp next year.  Cadence loves seeing her friends that she doesn't get to normally see during the school year and they stay busy doing lots of different things!

Here are a bunch of random pictures that were just too cute to not share - the first is Cadence post-swim session, with a tiki necklace, and a fishnet glove she made by herself from an old squeeze ball. Gotta admire the creativity of this girl...

Colin will say, "Mom, take a picture of me and Scarlet" - so stinkin' cute.

This is what they decided to do one morning instead of getting ready for school and camp.  How could I get upset with them when they're so adorable?!

The outlet mall nearby had a truck extravaganza one weekend - again, a big hit with Colin - Cadence, not so much (she must just be too cool for that kind of thing)

We went out to dinner and then Duck Donuts for dessert.  The kids wanted to pose in front of the store like the volley ball team that had just left.

Mid-July, the trucks showed up to start digging for the new pool.  Danny stuck around that morning so Colin could watch them work.  He was in awe. 

Our friends had their daughter's birthday party at Skate Zone - I really thought Colin would skate, but he fell early on and was petrified to go on the floor.  

Cadence had fun skating!

Colin also got suited up for some laser tag, but chickened out once they went in the dark room which he described as "really loud" - so he sat out while Cadence played.  

The arcade and goodie bags were a hit with both kids.

The aftermath of the after party.  They're too much!

After preschool and summer camp were over, there was a little gap before school started.  That Friday, Cadence went to work with me...

And Colin went to work with Danny. I bet I got more accomplished at work that day...what do you think?!

After work we had dinner downtown at Milestone 229 and let the kids play in the fountain.  It was a fun evening!

The next morning, the kids had their annual well-visits at the doctor.  It was also time for Colin to get his 5 year vaccines in prep for kindergarten.  That was an experience I never want to re-live.  He screamed so hard, he broke blood vessels around his eyes.  I had to hold down his arms while Danny held down his legs.  Needless to say, it was pretty traumatic for Colin.  The kids were rewarded with a trip to Star Lanes for some arcade time afterward.  

Danny was proud of setting the high score

That Monday, we watched the crew pour the concrete around the pool.

And then hit up the pool in one of the nearby neighborhoods - we pretty much had the whole pool to ourselves!

The next day we had meet and greet at school and then, BAM! Cadence started school on Wednesday.  It is super hot outside right now, so I'm glad summer is sticking around for a little while longer.