Summer Mode

Ryley finished school on Friday, and it certainly didn’t take her long to get into the spirit of summer! We have long said that summer is her season. Already, her legs seem longer and browner, her cheeks pinker. I think she’s devoured 15 popsicles in the last three days. :-)

We always go out for ice cream on the last day of school. It’s our “first act” of summer.  This year, Ryley chose Cold Stone. Atypical of me, I let her get anything she wanted as a reward for such a terrific 4th grade year!

On Saturday we went to the library, and she got her very own library card! She has been waiting for this for months! So exciting. I then taught her how to go online and place a hold request on books; I honestly don’t know what we’re in for!

When she got her books home, she dragged her beanbag chair downstairs and developed a “reading corner” for herself in the corner of our living room:

Slurpee? CHECK!

I-Pod? CHECK!

Empty candy boxes? CHECK!

Endless supply of books stacked on both walls? CHECK!

All day yesterday, the house smelled vaguely of summer (cool humidity, thanks to the swamp cooler), and the tunes of Taylor Swift played quietly in the background. Fun times!

Earlier in the week, Ryley gave her puppy some love on the trampoline:

The pics were taken through the window so as not to disturb the serenity they were experiencing! Precious.

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On Saturday, we left Ryley with my aunt and uncle for sewing and mini-golfing while Ryan and I braved our movie theater and went to see “Star Trek.” It was our first time to the Century 16 theater since the killings happened there last July. They’ve done a good job remodeling it, but it was still a little eery, especially since they had a security guard visit our theater no less than four times during the movie, checking every row and the exits. Still, it felt good to get that behind us. Plus, the movies are so cheap there….$4.50 matinees! Can’t beat that. :-)

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Our friends Jenny and Jaime’s daughter graduated from high school last week, so after the movie, it was on to their graduation open house. They had this amazing “candy bar,” and we immediately regretted not bringing Ryley with us. ;-)

But we hooked her up. :-) Isn’t the candy bar a terrific idea??

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My parents celebrated their 40th anniversary today!!!! Over the past two months, my brother and I have been putting together a scrapbook filled with all kinds of goodies…mementos, pictures, and letters from their friends and family. It was quite a project, but it was so rewarding! And as I read and looked through everything, my love and appreciation for my sweet mommy and daddy just multiplied!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the book:

The chaos of making it….

The finished product…

It was so much fun, but I found that there’s no way to encompass 40 years in one scrapbook. Of course. :-) It was a tad overwhelming! But their friends and family really got in the spirit and contributed some amazing cards and letters!

Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad!!!!

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Lastly, here are a few pics from Mother’s Day. We went on a picnic, but we goofed and picked a park with absolutely no shade! I still have a peeling sunburn for a souvenir…

But it was so gorgeous, and we had fun eating, playing checkers, and enjoying the lovely day!

We have a very busy week and weekend ahead, so I’m heading back to my laundry, housecleaning, and seemingly endless supply of popsicles.

Happy summer, all!