Sumber Bucket List Progress

SPLASH PAD

We hit up the local splash pad one afternoon.  It was a great day.  Not the least bit crowded.  And my kids didn't want to play. I don't know if we'll make it back or not so this may have to count.

Barrett played a little but he want AveryAnn to play with him and she was having none of it.

SUMMER READING PROGRAM 

We signed up the first day and we've read around 2000 pages already.  Barrett is loving it again this year and AveryAnn is way more excited to sit a read books than she was last year.  This is by far my favorite thing we do every summer.  I nearly cried talking to the librarian that works in the children's section and another mom last week talking about participating in the program when I was a kid.  It's funny the things from your childhood that make an impact.

BOWLING 

My boss Steven, or Grampy as my kids call him, took us and his grandkids bowling a few weeks ago.  We had the best time.  I love bowling.  The kids had the best time.  I hope we can go back one afternoon and Patrick go with us because he loves to bowl too.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 

I love Beauty and the Beast.  I will see any production I can.  I got to see the Broadway show in New York City the year it opened.  I got to see it again a few years ago when it came to Birmingham.  This month the local Red Mountain Theatre Company was putting it on so we had to see it.  Then I had to find the perfect yellow dress to channel my inner Belle.  I couldn't find anything I liked and a friend text me and was like "I got this dress but I don't like the way it looks on me, do you want to try it?" and it was perfect!  I love it so much!  

When my sister and I saw the show when it came through Birmingham with her/our friend Amy we all three ugly cried through most of it.  I didn't cry at all this time but I did tear up at the end.  Its just so sweet.

Even tried to get the hair right.  

LAKE WEEKEND

We were planning to go to the beach this past weekend but Patrick's schedule got changed at work and he was on call.  My parents and brother's family were going to the lake for Harper's birthday so we decided to crash.  When my sister and younger brother got wind everyone was going to the lake they came too.  It was the first time in a really long time that my family was all up there together (well, minus Patrick because he had to work).  We had the best time!

It rained and stormed a little Friday night.  We kept hearing something and we couldn't figure out what it was.  We finally realized it was the tornado siren.  Luckily it wasn't near us.

The kids played in the water some before it got dark.

We stayed up way to late talking and laughing.  We got up Saturday morning and it looked like it was about to storm, and it did.  It stormed nearly all day long.  Around 3:00 it finally cleared up and the sun came out and it was beautiful.  John put his toys in the water and we had the best afternoon.  The kids played in the paddle boat and had the best day.  

AveryAnn would not get in the water.  Had no interest in getting wet.  

She just stood on the bank and watched everyone else play.

My sister and I skied behind the seadoo.  I rode the jet ski and actually stood up on it.  I wiped out on both.  I'm definitely not as young as I used to be but it was so much fun.  

I was feeling pretty confident.  It was a lot more work than I remembered.

  

We had to take this picture...

to recreate this picture from 2007.  

I posted it with the caption "the greatest gift our parents ever gave us was each other."  and that is 100% the truth.  My parents made family a priority  and for that reason we're all still pretty close and actually enjoy hanging out together.  We're all really different too but we can still hang out and laugh and have a good time.  This trip was just what my soul needed this summer to remember what is really important in life.   

Also had to get one on the wall.   

Matt and Jennifer came up Saturday and we celebrated Matt's birthday too. He might as well be my parents 5th kid.  He loves banana pudding so Jennifer made him a banana pudding poke cake and it was delicious. 

I wanted to get a picture of their coordinating swimsuits but Barrett was having none of it.  He was so upset we had to go home.

Saturday was just what our family needed.  We kept laughing because we were like "this has been the best day,"  then we were like that's crazy,  It stormed for 8 hours and we got to play for 4 hours.  But it was like the first 8 hours didn't even happen.  Don't get me wrong we enjoyed hanging out together but when you're at the lake you want to play in the lake.  When the sun came out it was like all war right in the world. We played and played.  John had his GoPro camera and he got some great footage of us riding and playing.  We've laughed and laughed at it.  We're looking forward to more time together this summer!

That's our Summer Bucket List Progress!  We're having so much fun and really making the most of our days!

Birmingham Barons

We were so excited to check this off our Summer Bucket List we hit it up the very first chance we got.  A few years ago Birmingham built a new field/park for our local minor league team.  (Fun fact:  Michael Jordan once played for the Birmingham Barons during his baseball career.)  It is so nice and just a fun family outing.  They have very affordable "general admission" tickets and you can take a blanket and sit on the hillside just past the outfield.  The kids love running around and waiting on the homerun balls to come over the fence.  We found out Peppa Pig and George were going to be there for pictures.  AveryAnn loves Peppa Pig so Jessica and I headed over with the kids to see them.  (Patrick and Jeremy stayed back to save our rocking chairs.)  We got over there and the line was already pretty long and they informed us that Peppa and George would be taking a 30 minute break, every 30 minutes.  SO we waited the first round and it was clear we weren't going to get to the front before the next break so we decided to see them from afar and skip having our picture made.

This was as close as we got to them.  I felt bad because AveryAnn was really excited.  (Barrett had already asked to go back and sit with the dads, he was so afraid he was going to miss the game.)

She wouldn't leave my side for most of the game.  I promise she was having fun even though she doesn't look like it.

The first pitch nearly came over the fence right in front of us.  Barrett was so excited to take his glove.  He really thought he might have to play.  He was down and ready.  It was so cute.

Looking all cool in his sunglasses.  Also looking entirely too grown up.

When her dad got up she thought his rocking chair was for her.

Just taking it all in.  This picture just screams summer time to me.  I can't believe I didn't take any pictures of our food.  We had some of the best food I've eaten at a ballpark.  Patrick had brisket nachos out of a helmet.  

Love these sweet babies.  I hate going to a sporting event and not wearing team colors.  Even if I'm not attached to the team, I feel like I need to wear the team colors.  That's why we're all wearing red, white and black.

Wearing the helmet Patrick's nachos came in.  (He washed it out first)

Sweet buddies.

We never get pictures of just us so we made that happen!  We had the best night!  Looking forward to more family fun nights this summer!

Wednesday Weigh-In: Week 3

It's not been a great week.  I seriously can't get my crap together.  I have been in the gym 3 times this week plus Saturday morning Brittany and I walked some hills.  I just can't get it together.  I should probably not even bother with this post.  I haven't weighed. I don't want to weigh.  I'm sure I haven't lost any weight.  I've done somewhat better about tracking until about 3:00, then it's like I lose all control and we're just trying to survive until bedtime.  I need to focus on just making better choices.  Not just eating because I'm bored or because it's there.  I also try to not keep junk in the house because the truth is none of us need it.  My kids don't need it nor to Patrick and I.  We've been grilling a lot more.  I feel like we're eating pretty healthy overall, its the snacking and sweets that are killing me.  I will do better this week. I have to.

Summer Bucket List

Last year we had so much fun marking things off our Summer Bucket List that I thought it would be fun to make one for this year too.  As I've mentioned once or 50 times, Barrett is going to kindergarten in the Fall and I want to soak up as much fun as we possibly can this summer.

So, we made our list and we're making plans to start checking things off.

Bowling 

We went bowling last year for Steven's birthday and had so much fun.  We can't wait to do it again.  Plus it'll be nice indoor fun when it gets really hot around here.

Lake weekend

I want to go to the lake with at least my little family of four and spend the weekend.  There is nothing like waking up at the lake.  It's my favorite.  I don't think AveryAnn has ever spent the night.  This was on our list last summer and it was one of the few things we didn't get checked off so I'm determined to make it happen this year.

Splash Pad

We have a great local splash pad that we hit up often during the summer so this one shouldn't be too hard to check off.

Movie: __in the park  __Alabama Theatre __Incredibles 2

There is something about sitting in a park watching a movie outside that I just love.  There are several opportunities to do this all over town so hopefully we can make at least one.  The Alabama Theatre is just beautiful, in July they do a "throwback Thursday" kids series.  We can't wait for this years.  Finally, the Incredibles 2 is coming out this Summer and we're excited to see it.  Hopefully it doesn't disappoint.

Beach Weekend

We're hoping to get to go stay with our friends for a long weekend this summer.  Barrett has already specifically asked to go to the beach at Tony and Carla's house.  

Barons Game

We loved going to the Barons game last year.  This year Barrett is very into watching baseball.  He and Patrick watch it on TV so I think he will love getting to watch it live.  This might be one that we do more than once too.

Zoo Day

We're going to put our zoo membership to good use this summer.  One thing that we've never done that I hope we get to see is the sea lion show.  We've never seen it and heard it's so good.  

Water Park

My plan is to go to either Alabama Splash Adventure or the Cullman Aquatic Center for a day.  I think my kids will love either.  

Picnic

This one should be pretty easy.  

Girls Night- Beauty and the Beast (Moms Night Out)

We can't leave the moms out, my friends and I are planning to go see Beauty and the Beast at the Red Mountain Theater Company.  I love Beauty and the Beast and can't wait for a fun girls night.

Reading Program at the Library

We've already signed up for the Summer Reading Program at our local library.  We've been reading a lot already.  This is my favorite thing we've done in the past.  I remember doing it as a child and it's so much fun getting to take my own kids now.  AveryAnn is more into this year too which makes it that much better. 

Shrimp Boil

We're planning to have our 2nd Annual "Back to School" shrimp boil at the end of the summer.  We had so much fun last year and who doesn't love a shrimp boil.

Urban Air

Another one that will be great for when its too hot to breathe outside.

Sno Shack

I'm betting we hit the Sno Shack for sno cones more than a few times this summer.

Kickball Game

I want to do a big co-head kickball game with all our friends and kids.  I think the boys would think it was so much fun.  Plus I didn't get to play last Thanksgiving and I'm itching to get on the field.

Lets Play

Barrett and AveryAnn both love Lets Play.  I love that it wears them both out.

Ice Cream treat

I might try to this one on one with each of the kids to make it extra special.  Barrett loves quality time so getting to get a treat all by himself will thrill him.

Go on a Hike

We have a great hiking trail not far from us and I've never taken the kids but I think they would love it.  So I'm going to convince Patrick we need to do that one weekend.

There you have it.  Our 2018 Summer Bucket List.  I'm going to try my best document it all here but I've also added it in my highlights on Instagram so follow along there if you don't already.  MaggieMHorton