Before school got out, we came up with our summer bucket list as a family. We got a surprising amount checked off, considering we had a new baby. Jake took charge of almost everything on this list, so props to him! There were a few things we didn’t have time for because we ended up adding different things throughout the summer instead, so we actually did a lot more than this list!

Going from preschool three days a week to having all four girls at home for the summer was a learning curve for everyone. By the time everyone ate breakfast, got ready for the day, went potty, washed hands, and I fed the baby, it was time for lunch and no time to go out! We went on very short excursions (e.g. the park a five-minute walk from our house, or just scootered around our neighborhood) and played in the pool most days. Since it was summer, the high school age young women from church were out of school, as well as many who were home from college, so we had lots of babysitters to choose from! Emily and Bri were our regulars who took the girls to the park and played with them at home so I could get things done in peace or just take a nap (maybe one time!)

When I asked which summer camps the girls wanted to do this year, they were enthusiastic about doing Vacation Bible School again. Their birthday twin, Grace, happened to be in their group this year, as well as another friend from their old music class from years ago. The leader of their group was also from the same music class, so they felt comfortable immediately. This year’s theme was “Shipwrecked: Jesus Rescues” and it was so cute, although I got sick of listening to the cd of songs they learned after we played it ad nauseam in the car!

Meredith, Eleanor and I stayed for the beginning of the program one day to watch Samantha and Amelia’s group sing on stage. Meredith was fascinated by the skit, which included someone dressed up as a giant sloth, and a fake toucan stuffed animal that flew around on a zipline.

The girls were eager to show me their crafts each day.

The girls were in the Joyful Jaguars group this year.

Another summer camp they did this summer was Camp Galileo, a science and STEAM camp. It was held at the elementary school a five-minute walk from our house, so each morning that week, we loaded everyone up and dropped them off the twins at camp. We drive to their preschool, so walking was a fun and welcome change. Meredith screamed and threw a tantrum on the ground the first morning we dropped them off, because she thought she was going too! I guess a morning home with me and Elle was not exciting enough.

The camp leaders were fun and enthusiastic and the twins loved it. They definitely want to go back next year! Each week had a theme and the week the twins joined was “Space Explorers.” I had only signed them up to stay through lunch, but after the first day, they loved it so much that they asked to stay for the full program, so the rest of the week I picked them up at 3, which gave Meredith a little more time to nap, which was nice! They were nonstop busy with crafts, science experiments, and games each day.

Showing off their space helmets:

Jet packs!

Blast off!

We didn’t go to Utah this year for Pioneer Day, but celebrated at the park with some pioneer games, bbq and lots of pie!

The girls won three goldfish, which are miraculously still alive, despite Meredith constantly dumping in food when no one is looking.

Upset that her first plate of pie fell on the ground.

The girls were excited to display pictures of their ancestors at the craft table.

Two legged race!

Bbq and swimming with the Wrights:

Maliyah, Jodi and almost 1-year-old Corbin.

S’mores time.

We whiled away the hot summer evenings with swimming, swimming and more swimming.

I was pretty lax this summer with popsicles and ice cream, and the girls took full advantage! “What can we have for a snack, mom? A popsicle?” Me, distracted with Eleanor: “Sure, whatever…”  Girls: “Yay!!!”

Our friend, Debi, ran into the girls and Jake at one of the city’s outdoor concerts and sent me some videos of the action. I was glad Eleanor and I weren’t there for the chaos.

The amazing part is that they weren’t even exhausted when they got home.

On some of our very short outings, we only made it out to the end of our cul de sac and back. Sometimes, we only had time to scooter there with Bandit, climb a tree, and then head home to feed the baby/lunch/potty/change a pooplosion/etc.

Being walking distance from our house, the waterpark was another lifesaver this summer! A waterpark morning with Kennedy and Sebastian:

Jake took the girls one weekend to the San Clemente Sand Castle Festival and the girls watched surfers and amazing sand castle builders in action.

Sunburned and pooped.

The girls LOVE getting ready for church and usually pick out/coordinate each other’s outfits.

Jeeping around the neighborhood.

Silly shenanigans.

Impressive magnatile castle.

Beach outing and kite flying in Crystal Cove.

Lots of love,