Turning Six!

Yesterday was Jackson's 6th birthday.  He was so excited this year because it's his year for a friend party.  We planned a pool party for the night before his birthday and he loved it.  Everyone had a good time. 

 

 

 

He got a Millennium Falcon pool float for his birthday.  He loved it and it was the hit of the party - all of the kids wanted to be on it.

 

 

The boys...

 

 

 

The goodies...

 

 

 

The cake...(I didn't make it this year - just didn't have enough time.)

 

 

 

 

The kids..

 

 

He continued to celebrate on his birthday.  His Sunday School class celebrated with him at church, then he opened a few presents at home.

 

 

 

We went to Stars and Strikes for bowling, laser tag and arcade games in the afternoon. 

They loved the laser tag! 

 

 

 

And he chose to go to Mexican last night for dinner.  His reasons for choosing this place were 1. they sing happy birthday to him and 2. they bring out a good birthday treat.  He has his priorities straight. 

 

 

 

Happy birthday, little man!  I can't believe it's been six years already!! 

 

This is the last week of summer break. 

School starts back next Monday...on to the next phase of craziness. 

First Summer Camp

Rachel's first experience with summer camp has come and gone now.  She left Monday during the day and came home today around lunch time.  We didn't get to talk to her at all during the week.  We were a little concerned about how she would do, since she gets homesick pretty easy and doesn't like to be away from home.  She didn't know anyone going with her (she did find out at the last minute that one girl in her group was in her first grade class at school with her - so she knew her a little bit).  

She got home today and told us all about it - she had the best time!  She got along with everyone in her group (11 girls plus one counselor and two junior counselors), she only had a touch of sadness once on Tuesday night but it went away rather quickly and everything else went really well!  She had a great time and said she wasn't ready for it to be over!  So yay!  Praise the Lord!  Sounds like I missed her more than she missed us!  

Ready to go!

Her bus driving away...

Her counselor texted many of these pictures to the parents throughout the week - I'm so grateful!  I couldn't talk to her but this definitely helped.  This was on the bus ride there.

One of the first things she did was play paintball - Rachel said it only lasted about 5 minutes for her - she didn't love it and got hit in the arm and it hurt (left a small bruise)...

This was her group the first night before worship.  I love this picture!  Looking out over the mountains with a rainbow in the background...and all smiles!

Their bunk room.

Larger group after playing "Mass Chaos"...whatever that is!

Silly girls...

Decorating shirts for the black light party that night.

I didn't realize the pool would be so big!  Rachel said it was a lazy river (around the edges), wave pool and regular pool all in one.  Fun!

The black light party on the last night.

Ready to head out this morning.

She was absolutely exhausted today - staying up late and getting up early every day this week and having to walk uphill everywhere they went... I hope she sleeps late in the morning!  Overall, it was a very good experience.  She can't wait to go back next year!!

Friends and the Fourth

Yesterday was July 4th and we enjoyed our long/busy/hot weekend.  We spent a lot of time with friends, outside and at the pool.  Did I mention it was hot?  Whew. 

 

Sunday our church had their Celebrate America day and had food trucks and inflatables outside after the service for the families to enjoy.  After we enjoyed some delicious BBQ, we headed over to the inflatables.  The kids were fine on the ones with water, but the first dry one burned the kids feet because it was so hot.  So that was end of that.  Rachel was miserable afterwards.

 

 

Doesn't she look thrilled? 

 

 

 

She kept doing a half-second smile and I never caught the smile...

 

 

Jackson liked this purple car.

 

 

Monday morning, we went to the parade in downtown Woodstock.  We met up with some friends from our neighborhood and hung out with them until it started. 

 

 

 

 

 

All of the kids...

 

 

Some of the dads...

 

 

And the moms. 

 

 

Ready to catch some candy!

 

 

The fire trucks were a little loud.

 

 

 We spent the afternoon at the pool and then headed out to get a spot to watch the fireworks.  We found a spot in the shade to hang out and then moved over a tad when the fireworks started later on. 

 

 

 

Sparklers!

 

 

 

 

Hope you had a safe and happy day!