Falling out of Summer

Last year around this time I could not wait for school to start. I needed the kids to have that structure. I needed to have us all back into a routine. This year I did much better in keeping enough structure in our summer that I didn't feel that same urge. Although I am excited for school to start and all that it means with Jadyn entering Kindergarten, we really used up our summer to the very end.

On Friday, the kids went to get back to school haircuts. We were then able to have a lunch play date with the Niles family and go to the shelter to visit and play with the kittens. You may recall, we did these very same things all on the Friday before school started last year and ended up bringing this little guy home:

That's right, although he does not have an exact birthday, Friday is now 1 year old.

Friday night we went to the drive-in with Cruz and Tara to see Captain America and Crazy, Stupid Love. First of all, let me just say that going to the drive-in is nostalgia at its finest and it becomes such an occasion compared to if we just went to a regular theater. We outfitted the back of the Tahoe with blankets and pillows, got the kids in their PJs, picked out snacks and grabbed a pizza on the way AND even better, we got to bring Kuma with us. I think he would much rather lay down in the open air with his people then be a kennel for 4+ hours while we go to the movies.

Anyway, we had a good time. Captain America left much to be desired but Crazy, Stupid Love, which I had really wanted to see was even better than I expected and it is not strictly a chick flick either because Joe and Cruz were laughing quite a bit. I highly recommend it.

Saturday was Joe and I's 13th wedding anniversary. I could get very mushy with how I feel about having spent the last 15 years with Joe, 13 of them as his wife but suffice to say, I am very, very lucky to have found my "game changer". I can't imagine my life without him. And to celebrate we went to his parents house where I was able to get some alone time to do some shopping and get my hair done and then Joe and I went out to dinner. I cannot thank Grandpa and Grandma Funny Nose enough, not only for watching the kids but for watching Kuma as well.

Photo courtesy of Jake:

Speaking of which, Kuma is almost 8 months now. He loves to play fetch with soccer balls over any other type or size of ball. Look how much he has grown:

When we got back from dinner, Aunt Leigh had stopped by to let Jake and Jadyn play with their cousins Aidan and Lilly. Doesn't this look like one happy bunch? (And notice the preview of Jadyn's shorter hair style):

And so that pretty much officially ends our summer. The first day of school is not until Wednesday but we are trying to take it easy, get everything ready and get back on the schedule necessary to make the transition as easy as possible. But when you fall out of one season, it sometimes means you have to stumble into the next, and so we will just have to see how it goes. However, when it comes to this summer? No regrets.