Embracing Summer

"As human beings, we cherish the little things. Big events are grand, and if we're blessed enough to experience some, we should be grateful. But at the end of the day, what we all want and need - children and adults alike - is a full life, one dripping with meaning and richness."
-Tsh Oxenreider, Organized Simplicity

This is my inspiration for the summer. I am making an effort to embrace and enjoy each day (which doesn't always happen, some days I/we are tired and cranky), especially with our move coming up at the end of September. I want to fully enjoy the rest of our time in Ventura County, experiencing lots of local things that make this area so special and spending time with friends that we will dearly miss.

This is both fulfilling and difficult, because as we strengthen and deepen those bonds with friends it adds so much joy to our life, but I know it will make the parting even harder. The easy thing to do would be to separate and distance, to shield my heart from the sadness of leaving.

But I just can't bring myself to do that.

So instead we are diving in full force, making lots of memories while also trying to not overcrowd the schedule.

We began embracing summer over Memorial weekend, camping with the Hawkins. This has become a favorite pastime, despite its challenges. But during the chaos of packing I remind myself that it's all worth the memories made, not only for the kids but also our late night grown-up campfire chats after the kids have gone to bed. Some of my favorite times.

These girls are besties

Enjoying marshmallows, because it wouldn't be camping without them

In June we had the end of school and the whole gas pipe/illness week. Fast forward to the 4th of July. We joined our neighbors the Archers for the pushem pullem parade in downtown Ventura. It's basically a mass of people walking down Main Street, blowing bubbles or throwing candy. The kids love the fact that they are participating in a parade. 

We decked out the wagon and Caleb and Lexi rode in there, how else do you keep track of a two and three year old in a sea of people?

Amelia and Hannah were in charge of tossing candy

We ended the day with bbq'd hamburgers, pasta salad, fresh fruit, iced tea, and of course s'mores

 The next day we got a wonderful visit from our friends the Kiners who will soon be moving to Florida :(
We made the most of our time while they were here, taking the kids to the carousel at the harbor, eating Ferraro's take-out, swimming, laughing, and putting all 4 kids in the hula hoop at once.

Then last week my neighbor Hollie and I hosted an ice cream social/water balloon fight with some neighborhood kids and friends from school.
 

I think Caleb ate his weight in ice cream and toppings (his appetite is back after not eating for a week and a half while he was sick)

I am really enjoying the slow summer mornings, getting to take our time getting dressed, just sitting down to breakfast with the kids and soaking in memories of what they are like at these ages.

The other morning Hannah was playing under the kitchen table and Caleb crawled under and just climbed in to her lap. Precious.

Hannah also had her first sleep over this summer at her friend Ali's house. And just yesterday we embraced summer by having a picnic with the worship teams from CCO, the Channel Islands church and the Santa Paula church. My kids were exhausted last night after about 3 hours in a bounce house. The rest of our summer activities list includes going to the Aquatic Center, a trip to the beach, the Ventura County Fair, the library, mini golf and farmer's market.

I hope you all are getting to embrace and enjoy summer. It's a special time of year with special memories waiting to be made.