Surprise Summer Trip || Cincinnati Birthday

Remember that one time that we went on a summer trip

and the mom forgot to blog about one of the best days!?!

Can we rewind back to the epic summer trip we took BEFORE school

started?  Because mama realized that she forgot Cincinnati 

and DH had this part of the trip planned the whole time.

Anytime that we could land at an MLB field to watch our beloved St. Louis Cards

on his baseball loving son's birthday, we better make it happen.

I scored a good deal on this hotel in downtown Cinci.

We had an amazing view and stretched out a bit after driving down from Newell, WV.

But, with a city calling, we put on our Cards shirts and headed to explore the town.

8.5.17

The birthday boy in his birthday suit.

Love him.

We enjoyed dinner at this restaurant right by the Reds stadium.

The area by the river is amazing.  Lots of green space and places to explore...

Picture from DH phone as we enjoyed the riverwalk area.

And this series is exactly what to expect when trying to get  decent pic with your boys.

They are the king of NO PICS or PHOTOBOMBS

We counted this one a a winner.  We were happy.

DH was itching to arrive because he picked seats near the Cardinals dugout

so we made it in time for batting practice.

We were very close, great seats.

His 10th birthday at the Reds stadium watching his favorite, the Cards!

It was a perfect night game, temps were mild.

I made friends with a mama next to me and we laughed the whole night thru.

Cards win 6-2

Excellent end to fun vacation.

Great way to wrap up summer.

6th and 4th for this Year!

2017-2018 brings us to our last year of elementary.

What a huge milestone.

I love this school.

It was DH and my elementary of both of our boys.

Bittersweet for sure.

The school got some cool new doors

for our 4th graders last year!

Joe has Mrs. Walton who I went to grade and high school with, he also has buddies Brody, Declan and Daniel in his class so he was ready for the year.

This is the 1st year that he hasn't had the same teacher and classroom as Sam!

Sam gave me willing picture on meet the teacher night as well.

He has Mrs. M. Wagoner - lots of cousins have had her as well!

August 9, 2017 - Back to School

They were all smiles, no complaints!

Joe - age 10 - 4th grade Mrs. Walton (new contacts!!!)

Sam - age 11 - 6th grade Mrs. Wagoner {cool as a cucumber}

On our trek back from afterschool pick up - day 2 - mama worked day 1 (ha)

A pic from twitter of their new chrome books!

And this.  I told the girls at work {and Blake} that it tastes like the best fall candle smells.

I am usually a summer girl, hanging on until the last possible moment.

But, the pumpkin spice stuff has me excited this year!

Back to School Prep

We only had a couple days between vacation and back to school!

Back to school prep is one of my favorite times.

We gathered all of our supplies and labeled them if needed

and planned our time to meet the teacher.

I enjoy seeing what they choose, colors and kinds and deciding if last year's items will still do!

And on the last day before school..this.

We fit in our eye exams and Big Joe asked our favorite Dr Bauer

if he could get contacts and he agreed.

This boy was so ready to give them a try.

They fit him and trained him and he kept thanking them, over and over.

Since then, he has been very responsible in setting his alarm and leaving time to put them in everyday and clean them at night.  Very proud of how responsible he has been.
Everyday has gotton better, mom used to help guide him to get them

 in but the last several mornings he has been all on his own!

Back to our last day, Big Sam continues to love to mow

and he asked to hold the chore off until afternoon, when I planned to swim and relax.

He didn't mind that we were in the pool and he joined us after.

Soaked up the last sunny sky and blue water of their official summer break.

And taught them an old FAVORITE of mine...

Blitz or 31 with Sam's souvineer cards from Washington D>C.

Love his genuine smiles, they are few and far between.

When he gives them out, he really means it.

We had a great day!

Celebrating Joe

August brings another round of birthdays for Joe and I.

I look forward to our birthdays because Joe LOVES his birthday and makes it so much fun!

Big Joe is TEN.

That means we have had 9 whole years with him - priceless.  

He is truly of full of life, full of energy, full of love to give one of a kind boy.

It is a joy to celebrate him.

This year he asked Grandma to make his cake.

But, not just any cake...this cake had to be like the one he had seen at the Hershey Factory.

Grandma did not disappoint.

It was Yellow Cake with Chocolate icing, Joe determined it was his new favorite.

A gift was waiting when we arrived home from our trip

from his buddies Isa and Kai

A new nerf gun was certainly a big hit.  Litterally, it has mega bullets which are a fav!

We planned a family gathering for Sunday evening to celebrate Joe,

Will and the kids came over early {maybe they missed us?!?}

anyway we enjoyed them coming and while I was catching up on laundry

I spotted this view of whiffle ball out my window.

Love a yard or house full of people!

Keeping it real, isn't Amazon Prime amazing?

You don't think I had this birthday party all organized and planned BEFORE we left on our trip?

Heavens no.

So, Prime to the rescue - party supplies arrived in a tidy box while we vacationed!

We shared our UTZ FACTORY snacks, they were a hit!

And a last minute change to our snack menu...we grilled burgers and hot dogs,too.

Joe has started calling Jaelyn "Birdie"  - love it.

Her grandpa has always called her J-Bird, so it kinda fits.

She is a busy Freshman volleyball player with a boyfriend now!  

Aunt Jill ordered him the Mega Mastadon Nerf Gun, it barely fits in his room _ ha but really.

He might like it a bit.

Happy Birthday to this sweet sweet 10 year old.

I love watching you learn and grow and your compassion for others.

He fully enjoys a celebration.

Favorite picture of my boy with a high-topper hair cut and

his special cake!

Morgan's snap chats of the event were hilarious!

And because no birthday is complete without a breakfast treat,

he agreed that candle in his yogurt would certainly do, this might have 

been 2 days AFTER his birthday, but a year could not go by without this tradition.

And remember I said he loves to celebrate?

He wanted the celebration at LB, so we invited Grandma to join us!

You teach me to celebrate every one of life's moments, Big Joe.

You are the best birthday buddy.

We love you.