the 3rd & 4th of July (& 6th)

celebrating america is so fun! family, food, fun, fireworks.
what more do we need?!
we love this holiday so much we have to drag it out as long as possible!
the town of springfield agrees.
there have been booms going off all week!
shawn & bentley walked down to the firework stand quite a few nights.
a favorite this year were smoke bombs & snaps.
bentley ran in the house one night, "MOM, i need a lighter! dad is going to do a BOMB!"

i love red white & blue jello

he loved snaps

sunshine & donuts. best summer combo ever!

new little "beach" area

red white & blue sisters!

joe & cousin westley

he played in the pool for so long!

the 4th at the Thompsons

Ashland firework show. B took a nap, but woke up for the show!

visiting the Green's. driving the '62 pickup

over the weekend.

friday.

birthday toms arrived!

grandma & grandpa also arrived from atkinson to celebrate cousin Jedidiah's first birthday!

saturday.
chick-fil-a for lunch!
stopped by walgreens for requested pez candy.
kathy had text earlier in the week, "does bentley need grandma to bring him anything?" (probably assuming he'd ask to borrow some toys, puzzles, etc..." umm, i want some open close things (that is code for pez dispenser), tic tacs, & pez candy."
so that is what he got.
we also picked up a bubble gun while we were there.
you know, the necessities. 
out to ashland to see caroline off to her junior prom.
10 years ago i was going to MY junior prom.
back home to hang out & eat chinese food. and give the kids a bath. and it all happened at the same time. 

sunday.
pirate party day!
grandma kathy brought bentley a pirate costume for him to wear to the party.
he felt so special!
all the details of the party were so fun to see, stuff the kids don't notice, but the moms do.
B got to be a "helper" to Jed, blowing out candles, opening presents, trying out toys.
thanks for letting us celebrate with you, Jed!
it was a fun day for everyone!

birthday weekend.

friday. started off our weekend by going to the opening night of Cinderella the musical, put on by aghs. caroline was a stepsister & did fabulously. 

sent our big boy over to DJ & Andreas.

saturday. andrea & i went to a free workout class at her neighborhood community center. it was so fun & it felt like we were 23 again (we used to do a ton of workout classes together, pre kids). brought home doughnuts to my sleeping in boys & had flowers delivered from my sweet cousin in chicago! attended the second performance of Cinderella WITH Bentley. he absolutely loved it! i was pleasantly surprised that we got to enjoy the show together! Ended the day at Jayz cafe with birthday cake & friends. we were huddled in a both for over an hour. i can't even remember what we all talked about, but it was really relaxing & fun. (someone should have kept a closer eye on B, he pulled up a chair & was eating the frosting off the birthday cake.)

i thought it was funny how similar these cards were!

birthday present sent all the way from arizona!

he was so excited to finally hug her! at one point he whispered "i just want to go up there!" {on stage}

isn't it always fun to see your birth date?

sunday. church, brunch at Wheatfields, pedicure with caroline, sunday nap, & then to Grace for open gym with new basketball recruits. picked up la casa pizza to go, & stopped at DJ & Andreas to hang out for a little bit.

monday/today. library time, played outside, kinda sad my birthday is over, got my free birthday drink from starbucks, excited to watch the national championship game.

"here is a heart rock, mama. cause it's an i love you kind of day"

"mom what's on the door?" i think a little bird poop. "no, it's snake poop. i'll clean it for you"

venti caramel macchiato.