2022 Summer Bucket List: 3rd & Final!

My pictures are seriously lacking in this last bucket list post, but it's at least worth one final mention! We finished all but two items we had hoped for. We didn't make it to the Farmer's Market and we weren't able to swing through a garage sale. We aren't super heartbroken by either (especially me with the garage sale-we have plenty of stuff over here!) but an incomplete list always bums me out a bit. :) 

 Picnic

We hit up a local park with James and Olivia and had a fun little picnic while playing on "the best playground ever" according to Charlie. 

Library

We loaded up on tons of books and spent several weeks reading them over and over. 

Roller Skating

Mellany chose to go roller skating for her 11th birthday party and it was a blast! Well, except for the part where she fell and fractured her wrist, but otherwise we (and everyone else) had a great time!

Silver Dipper

We had yummy ice cream one night with our small group while it was still warm outside. It doesn't get much better than ice cream with friends. 

And that wraps up our 2022 Summer! We are already talking about what we might want to do next summer..bring back the warm weather! 

Grandpa Bob, Football, Justin Moore

Just as I expected, it has been really hard getting back into the school routine. I just truly love the freedom of summer, not having to wake kids up and to be able to do whatever it is we want all together. And I am really missing that so much! It is strange being without the kids during the day and while I have found plenty to do to keep myself occupied, I'm just not sure I like the quiet. It is what it is though and the kids have had a great start to the school year. For that, I'm so thankful! 

Here's what we've been up to! 

When John is away, I get all the doggy snuggles. 

The kids think I'm the best mom ever for letting them ride their bikes to the bus stop....I will take that "mom win"!

My sweet friend/neighbor Sherry invited us over for a night swim at her pool with the Okos' and we had a blast! 

When John makes it back home from traveling, all the dog snuggles are his.

The kiddos thought it was the funniest thing to make a conga line to get on the bus

Grandpa Bob came to visit! He turned 84 this past weekend and made the trip from Texas to see us all by himself! 

John was on the phone with his mom one night and Winston was deep in conversation too apparently. 

We took Grandpa to one of our favorite breakfast spots and I guess while I was ordering, these two snatched my phone. 

Johnny & Charlie started flag football and to say they loved it is an understatement! They are on the same team and really enjoyed all the drills and fundamentals the coaches taught. Charlie even almost scored a touchdown....his own flags tripped him up on the 2-yard line. :) They cannot wait for their next Sunday on the field.   

I made i to car line early one afternoon and got to see Johnny playing at recess! He even came over to talk to me! Another "mom win"!

John and I went with some friends to see Justin Moore perform in town last week and it was a great concert! The weather was perfect and there's not a whole lot better than live country music! 

My friend Emily brought Mellany a pair of shoes she didn't want anymore and they fit so well that we sent a picture to Emily to thank her! Mellany has worn them all week long and loves them.....not to mention she just looks so old in this picture...

 

Florida!

For the final hurrah this summer, I took a girls trip to FLORIDA! It was relaxing and refreshing and I had the best time! John hung with the kiddos and had a great time back at home too getting to do all the fun things mama doesn't do ha! 

A night or two before I left, I had a couple cuties snuggling with me!

I'm off and headed to the airport! 

The first morning we took a sunrise walk on the beach

Meanwhile back at home, John and the kids went to see the new Minion movie. They all said they loved it. 

Days spent like this are definitely a favorite!

We listened to live music, ate great food, shopped, relaxed at the beach, napped and talked the entire rest of the time...it was amazing! 

While in Florida, I got word that my Uncle Brian was in the hospital undergoing surgery and that he was diagnosed with spinal and stomach cancer and given about a year to live (gosh that's hard to type...). So, I switched my flights and flew to KC to spend a few days with him and Aunt Missy and the family. Brad picked me up from the airport and we headed straight to the hospital. It was so good seeing them all. It's a tough road ahead, but God is good and the Jones' are about as stubborn as they come, so we've got those two things in our corner. 

While I was in KC, Charlie got to celebrate Griffin's birthday! He had so much fun!! 

After spending Sunday and Monday in KC, I flew back home on Tuesday! It was so good coming home to my crazy crew!!! 

 

First Day of School 2022!

 Summer is officially over and the kiddos have gone back to school. Anyone who knows me knows this is the hardest part of the year for me. I'm the happiest when all my people are home all together so it is super painful when the kids go back to school. (Not to mention that John happened to be out of town yesterday too so the house is WAY too quiet!)

First part of prep is Back to School Night! Charlie has his Kindergarten info night last thursday then the entire school open house was Friday. Charlie was literally living his best life at the info night. He couldn't wait for Tuesday to come! Johnny and Mellany loved walkingthrough the buildings and seeing previous teachers and friends they knew but hadn't seen through the summer. Mellany even got to set up her locker which she loved!! (I will admit, not my finest parenting moment trying to teach her how to open her locker! Whew! Who knew it could be such a tense experience?! HA!)

Johnny was in Mrs. A's class for kindergarten two years ago but because of covid wasn't able to do a lot of "normal" things....including playing with a basket of transformers that Mrs. A had. Johnny would come home so sad every day because all he could do was "look at them from far away". In true Charlie fashion, he wanted my phone to take pictures of the transformers for Johnny, so he could see what transformers were in the basket that he was going to get to play with. haha! Nothing like a younger brother to get you all worked up! 

Charle and Adelaide

It's really hard to get just a regular picture from this kiddo...

Back to school haircuts! 

Back to School Brinner! This has become a favorite tradition for us. We talk about what we think the year will be like, talk about the friends they will get to see, their teachers and we pray for a safe, healthy and amazing year for everyone involved....all while having breakfast for dinner. 

FIRST DAY!!! 

The kids were so excited and ready, which is good because I was having a ROUGH time. I feel like I hid it pretty well....until I came home to an empty house. 

We took pictures in the morning, but because of the blasting sun, we retook them in the afternoon once they got home...

Our Kindergartener with Mrs. A

Our 2nd grader with Mrs. Rider

Our 5th grader with Mrs. Lehman (Her LAST year of elementary school!)

Backpacks!

On the bus!! Charlie looks so grown up! 

I have one year where all of them will be on the same bus together...I couldn't let the moment pass without snapping a picture!

Mellany's teacher sent me this picture Tuesday night...<3

Lastly, their yearly questionnaires....

Here's to an amazing school year for these 3 incredible kiddos! I can't wait to see what the year has in store for them.....and this mama too! :)