It took a bit to ease into a summer routine. I'm not even sure if we're there. I drop the kids off at swim team in the morning (which is a whole new world for me- no more wasting away in baby jail in full sun AKA the baby pool, while glaring at the fab moms in the shade reading or playing on their phones). I made it to the other side! Besides, there's no baby pool anymore anyway. Emma and I walk our dogs and talk like adults. Sometimes I bring Spot home, change into my suit then head back to the pool for another hour of play until lunch. I'm trying to do salads and healthy options. No plans usually in the afternoon, other than a dentist appointment and piano one afternoon. We got a lot of much needed rain this week. We did kids eat free on Wednesday- a fun party night in the middle of the week. Water polo was canceled due to rain for Ellie that night. Friday morning during swim team, Phil and I went to Bobby's retirement ceremony right on the TCC lawn. It was so neat to be there for that. I worked hard to finish a silhouette order on some fanny packs. Once I finally finished we headed to the Suters for a play date and did our nails with Tracy's professional collection and stamps. Dinner poolside at TCC then back early for the swim meet on Saturday. It was neat to have all 4 kids swimming. I kept feeling like I was going to miss a race. They all did so well. Ellie and Marly have the speed this year. Being top in their age groups is going to be nice. We stayed for lunch and relaxed in the Grove. It was so nice. We came home for a bit of a break then Phil and I headed back for dinner with the Freemans and Smiths then to FYC for the Trader Vics party. Not as impressive as usual, I think. Being moved inside really takes the glamor out of it, especially on such a nice night. Fun running into my parents, especially since my dad and Phil were dressed alike. Ha! We went to the Smiths for pepperoni rolls and to check out their monstrocity of a dock afterwards. Sunday was tough thanks to that late night. Mass and breakfast at TCC celebrating Phil for father's day. We actually took an afternoon nap then headed out to TCC in the boat. Early bedtime for most. I walked over to celebrate my dad for Father's Day- an evening wine night watching some golf. Late night Chinese take out with Phil to end the weekend. Hello summertime!

Wow, y'all. I did it! I made it to June! I know I called the last few blog posts crazy Mays, but this week took the cake. I was all over the place. I'm amazed at myself sitting here and thinking about it all as I look over my calendar to write this post. It was the last week of school for the girls. Yes, there was a lot of movie watching and blah blah at school, but there was also a lot of sprinting on my end; monogramming teacher gifts, planning the 2nd grade class party, talent show and let's not underestimate the afternoons of dance rehearsal and swim team happening at the same time! I know that was a run on sentence, but imagine all that in real life. Oh, it gets more crazy. Voss and I went to a pool party at his friend, Niko's house. Glad he got a fun thing in there with all this running around. We went to kids eat free for dinner on Wednesday. It turned into a ladies dinner with a bunch of kids as Laurie, Savannah and I caught up. Thursday was the most insane day. It was all the class parties. I just popped in to say hi for Abby and Ellie. I was at Marly's for most of the time facilitating rock painting. I had just enough time to let Spot out and refill my water bottle then went back and picked up Ellie and Abby (a friend took Marly to rehearsal). We went to San Jose for Abby and Voss's first big kid swim meet! Speed was not the name of their game, but I'm super proud of them! After their races, we came back to pick up Marly and drop off Ellie for her rehearsal. Luckily, she was able to sneak out early because we made it just in time for their talent show performance! The girls did a tap routine. I was able to borrow costume dresses from last year so they all matched. It was cute! Here's the video. We had a McDonalds dinner after all this with the Strasser's. In the middle, I got a call from the principal of the school telling me they had indeed made an error and Ellie was awarded as a patrol! Geeze! After the last month of hell, I can't tell you how relived I am. Thank you to Phil for being so assertive! She was on the morning news the following morning. She's thrilled! Back to McDs for last day of school sundaes then home for a quick lunch then off to downtown for dress rehearsal. I loved sitting in the front row watching all the dances with all my dance mom pals. It was actually fun. We did uber eats for Vale for dinner. My friend, Laurie saved me by taking Abby and Voss to swim team so I could just sit and relax and watch. It was nice. Phil and the girls went to the airport Saturday morning to pick up his sister. It was so nice having her in town for the weekend. Phil played in a tennis tournament. We spent the morning at the pool. We came home for lunch and got ready. I was so worried about getting everyone ready on time that we were super early. I'm not used to that. It worked out great, though. We picked up my mom and my dad watched Voss. Suzanne met us there. I packed wine and snacks and we just enjoyed the show. See the videos section for all the girls dances. I posted all the dances from dress rehearsal. We went out for pizza after. What a fun weekend! We went to mass and breakfast on Sunday. Phil played tennis while Vane and the girls went to the pool. I stayed and kina organized while Voss took a nap. We went back to the theater for the Wizard of Oz with the symphony. It was the perfect thing to do on a Sunday afternoon. We had Bono's BBQ for dinner, rosary, reading and bed. I got up at 4:30 this morning to take Vane to the airport. She went right to work! It was a great visit! 

We are in the thick of it! It was the week of awards ceremonies with the girls on 3 different days. My parents helped support the girls, which was super cool. We brought dinner to 3 families; a new baby, a surgery and a funeral. It's super hot and the TCC pool is amazing! It truly feels like a resort! Swim team at the new pool started this week with water polo for Ellie on Monday. It's the perfect place to be after school. Gatorade for the crossing guards because it's just too hot! Voss and I went with some friends to the Jumbo Shrimp game on Monday and we visited with cousins on Friday. It was a good week! Memorial Day weekend was super fun, too! We stayed for dinner at the new pool on Friday. They put in this cool obstacle course in the pool. I still can't make it across the balance beam, even with a bruise to show for all my practicing. A few nights out at the new Grove is super nice. On Saturday morning I went to my friend Laurie's mom's funeral. I'm so impressed with her charisma. We took the boat to the pool that afternoon then back in time for 5:30 mass. Sunday we got up early, picked up my brother, Matt then took the boat way out to these sandbars. It was super fun! Back to my parent's for ribs and tubing. Monday was the ultimate party at TCC. Complimentary food stations with burgers, pulled pork, hot dogs and a taco bar. Cotton candy and an ice cream truck! Water slides, bounce house and the awesome new pool. It was fabulous. I was glad Matt and I started the day with the Murph challenge. My chest is quite sore from the push ups! (We did push ups instead of pull ups) After fun in the sun all day, I rode my bike to Regan's for book club to discuss Untamed, a great book about a wild woman on Cumberland Island. Night swimming is one of my favorites. Great discussion, too. We're all pretty wiped out from all the fun in the sun.
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Oh, the collision of spring and summer...when school is wrapping up, but it feels like August. When spring activities (dance) are on full force (to make up for us having Saturdays free all year) and swim team is up and running. When I get the exhilaration of being many places at the same time. Everyone is over tired and hot. 'Tis the season, the most wonderful time of the year! No, really. I don't have much to complain about. There is still a spring breeze, sunsets are amazing and the jasmine scent on the porch is intoxicating. I had my last MOPS meeting at St. Marks on Monday. It was surreal. After 9 years, it just feels right. There was laughter and tears and all in between. Maybe it will sink in later this summer. I gave a little farewell speech and we played this fun scavenger hunt with pictures. Tuesday I went for a run then my friend, April came over to go paddle boarding. This was Voss's last week of school. I sorta failed on all of that. He missed his final performance because Phil and I were in Epcot last week. He missed his class party because I went on a field trip with Ellie instead. So, his last day just sorta happened. Even one of his teachers mysteriously retired a few weeks ago, after being with us since Ellie's preschool year. It was all odd. The good thing is that he didn't notice at all. He is very ready to stay home from school. I'm not sure that's a good thing. Wednesday was Ellie's 4th grade field trip to St. Augustine. My friend Laurie had Voss all day. Vanessa picked up the other girls from school for me and they all took them to swim for me. We didn't get back until after 6pm! Long day. It was nice to spend the day with Ellie. We went to a colonial village, the fort, trolley ride and then the old jail. I think we could have skipped the jail, but I thought all the other activities were neat. Quick dinner then off to religion class. It was a whirlwind! That night was the MOPS end of the year party at a new brewery in Murray Hill. I was really only there for the tail end because of religion class. Luckily, the party kept going! We went dancing at Loft and then to the Smiths for a nightcap. So much fun! Thursday I was a little slow. On my last morning off, I went running then walked with Spot to my parent's house to check on it and take a dip alone in the pool. It was glorious. I caught up with my sister, too. Friday the girls had play date at school. I took some Applegate children and Voss to the last day of toddler time at Adventure Landing. I wasn't crazy about the line to get in! Anne talked me off the ledge and it ended up not being too bad. There was a last minute scramble with carpool pick up. I had too many kids packed in the van with the England kids and Ellie had Finley Cate sleep over. Addy came back over to spend the night with Marly. So, two extras made for a loud, crazy Friday night. Pepperoni rolls and pizza for dinner. I was asleep by 11:30- not sure how many else were, too. Definitely not PB who fled to Lillians ironically as soon as it was quiet. Saturday morning we all worked in the yard after the friends left. We re-mulched with pine straw. Over-tired, hot, crabby attitudes by all! The Smiths came over for dinner later that day. We grilled sausage and had some of their leftovers. It was so sweet holding baby Grant and spending quality time with them. And that sunset is awesome. Sunday was mass and then Birthday parties. The Kane triplets went all out with a foam machine on the water slide! I walked Abby from there to another pool party where she was psyked to make a Jojo bow! We rallied attitudes (thanks to the wolfpack) and took the boat to Wicked Barley for dinner. It was perfect! I stayed up to watch the Final Episode of Game of Thrones. Not as epic as I was hoping, but I think it was a fine ending. I'm eager to watch my brother's review. Hurry up, Erik! 

Lordy! Lordy! Look who's 40! Phil Bravo had a big Birthday this week! So, of course we had to celebrate all week long!

Phil's family left on Monday. Vane flew and his parents had a LONG 9 hour drive home. Voss and I took our time that morning then drove to Adventure Landing for toddler time at the water park. I love that place! It was the only night of the week to catch our breath before the big party week arrived. We did family pizza night. Tuesday morning, April hosted a Beyoncé's Coachella viewing party. Good thing I had that soul filling morning to build myself up for the insanity of the afternoon/ rest of the week! Swim team has begun! But dance has not ended. So, that means I was driving back and forth to make sure we could do both. My dad was being honored at the American Values Dinner. It was so amazing to be there for that honor! I'm so proud of him! We came home that night to a crime scene. Spot had gotten out and sliced his paw open. I got to spend most of that night in the animal ER. Now we are figuring out how to care for him with his stitches! Wednesday morning we took it easy and went to the park for a bit. That afternoon was more dance and swim then we hosted a tennis round robin for Phil's Birthday. The weather was perfect. Matt, the tennis director did an awesome job with coming up with a theme for each round and pairing everyone. Thursday morning I go to take everyone to school and have our friend, Aaron take a look at Spot and take off his bandage. Turns out it was infected so we scrambled around to find a cone and meds. Phil and I got a late start but headed to Epcot for drinking around the world. It was an awesome way to celebrate Phil's actual Birthday! We walked back to our hotel, the Swan, which was very nice. We got up on Friday morning and drove back to Jax. That night was the Tomahawk cancellation party. So much drama during the week because they canceled it so we were lucky to have them put together something else, not as big. It worked out great. We had friends join us for dinner, drinks and live music on a gorgeous evening. Of course we ended up at Lillians doing jaeger shots at 3am. Phil played in a tennis tournament that afternoon. I stayed in my nightgown until 2pm. I was thankful to have a morning to get caught up on life. Also, this week we launched the new St. Matthews MOPS group. Registration is live! We went to the FYC pool with the Smiths that afternoon. We all got to hold baby Grant! Saturday night the whole family played in a glow in the dark tennis party at TCC. It was super neat! Sunday was Mother's Day and the final day of the week of Phil. It was tough getting up for mass, but we did it. Marly was excited to receive her 2nd communion ;-) We went to breakfast at TCC then headed out for a boat day. We met the Boring-Wagners and Applegates and anchored out in front of the Nixons. We all went to FYC for lunch after. We got caught in a storm for a bit, but made it up there just in time, really. The Freemans, Hollands, Thivierges, Smiths and many others joined us there. Such a Sunday Funday! After the rosary and bedtime, I was able to enjoy a sunset cocktail with my parents to toast to Mother's Day. It was really nice. Late night Sonic with Phil watching GOT was truly the perfect ending. Now to take a breather!

We're so proud of Marlyn making her first communion this week! Lots to celebrate and be grateful for. Thank you for all the gifts, texts, calls and support this week for this sweet girl! My in-laws came in town this weekend for the occasion. Phil stayed up late Friday night to pick up tia Vane from the airport. We had a nice weekend with lots of pancakes, dog walks, tubing and just being together. It was so neat to see both sets of grandparents surround her for her special day. I feel like Beyoncé's Run this World was on repeat in my head this week. We had book club on Monday night to discuss the Hate U Give. I feel like we could have talked all night. Rachael and I had a delightful morning at the Women's 4 ball tournament with lunch on the veranda and watching amazing women take over the club. Also, GOT! It was also picture week at dance so lots of bun styling and costume shuffling from the trunk of my car. Playdates at the park- some with Spot. We had a ladies lunch (with Voss) at La Nap and Cinco de Communion celebration at the Freemans. Baby Grant is home so keep on praying!
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It was the first week of Easter, spring is definitely upon us. The weather is amazing, maybe even hot. The breeze is perfect. We did breakfast for MOPS on Monday. By "we" I mean Laurie Cutlip picked up my frittatas at Costco, heated them and had them all ready for the meeting. It was home organization but I've kina given up on that idea. I didn't pay much attention to the speaker and went back to talk to Claire who came to the meeting. Keep praying for them. She is so strong, but all we can do is wait and pray. Grant is stable- breathing and mostly eating on his own. David and Phil had a guys night this week, too. No school or dance on Monday. Ellie helped the Applegates at MOSH. Marly and Abby joined Voss in the nursery. That afternoon we brought Spot to a play date/pool party at the Hollands (along with a few Cochran kids). Fun for all! We celebrated Alice's Birthday at the park while also celebrating Earth Day by picking up trash on our way. On Tuesday I was actually bored for a moment. I ran with Spot after dropping off Voss. I'm following my super cool/nerdy brother with the Westeros Weekly Podcast and decided to listen to Filup and re-watch the episodes directed by Miguel Sapochnik to prepare for tonight's episode of Game of Thrones. That night I went to another 1 Vibe Dance class. This time we danced to Beyoncé's, Run This World. Awesome song, tough dance! I need to practice! Drinks after at Chili's! Definitely good for my soul. Wednesday I had a meeting with the principal to discuss the process to become a patrol. Hoping there will be some positive changes before I have to go through this again with the next child. Voss, Spot and I headed to the beach with Anne and Michal. Gorgeous day out there. Spot is a handful, literally. But, he loves the beach! It was early release so we headed right back to pick up the kids. The girls and I are reading Anne of Green Gables. It took a while to get into it. I think Marly is the only one really enjoying it (and me, of course). We met the Bentons at TCC for dinner since there was no religion class. Thursday I dropped Voss at school then headed to TCC to volunteer for the Women's 4 Ball Championship game. Rachael and I hung out in the mens locker room. It was nice to just catch up and chat for a few hours, really. Also neat to see awesome women take over the club! I love it! That night I got a late night GNO at Tracy's with nails, chips, ice cream, wine and wonderful people. You know its a good party when you arrive in your nightgown. Friday, Voss and I went to a volunteer lunch at Sulzbacher. Phil and I got a date night thanks to Ortega Methodist. We went to happy hour at O'rsay then tried to get massages and was stood up! We had a drink at TCC instead. Saturday the girls made breakfast. I stayed in my nightgown until about noon. Phil took the girls to watch the tournament. Voss played in a dirt pile in the neighbor's yard. I spent all morning working on Birthday gifts for the weekend. We went to my parent's house to swim and visit with my dad (he's bach-ing it while mom is on a girls weekend). Phil took Abby to a Birthday party. Later, we all rode bikes to the Cochran kids Birthday party. It kina felt like a GOT party with knights, unicorns, queens and dragons! So fun catching up with everyone. Late night Chinese for Phil and I while I finished that last episode of GOT. This morning we went to mass then dad met us at breakfast. More tournament watching then headed to the Hershorins for another Birthday party. Pokémon this time. Now we are relaxing and getting organized for the week. The kids are playing with the hose outside. Spot is barking his head off. I am dulling the noise with a bloody mary. Phil is playing tennis. Not much to complain about!
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Holy Week was unique for us this year. Our good friends, the Smiths had their baby, Grant Sunday night. By Monday afternoon he was transported to the children's hospital. It turns out he had a massive stroke in utero and has severe brain damage. He celebrated his one week Birthday on Easter Sunday. It's been a heartbreaking week for them and fierce praying for all. We are still praying and trying to figure out how to support them. Just, what a week. There were lots of activities to keep us busy. I was the one who brought my dog to the Easter egg hunt play date. He spent most of the time barking at the other dogs. It was not fun. Voss had a great time, though. Voss had another egg hunt and Easter party at school on Wednesday. That night I got to sneak out for another artist series show, School of Rock. It was cute- such talented kids. Makes me wish I would have brought my older two. Sorta. We didn't stay out too late this time- pizza at Mellow. I took my parents to lunch on Thursday to celebrate their wedding anniversary (last week). It was nice to catch up and celebrate them. That night Ellie got to serve in Holy Thursday mass. I had never been to one that I can remember. But, they chose 12 people (representing the 12 apostles) from different church ministries. Ellie got to help in the washing of their feet i.e passing towels. That was so cool for Abby and I to see from the front row. I'm so proud of her. We got Frostys to kick off the Paschal Triduum. Turns out Ellie had a bad day at school that day. She didn't make patrols. Which we are very upset over the process and I'm going to have to step up my non-confrontational game. Also, she lost 2 teeth and didn't tell anyone and decided to test the tooth fairy. You can imagine how that turned out. It meant we had a heart to heart- but not until Friday night when she came clean and I had 2 drinks post fast. I think it went well. Friday morning started well with Stations of the Cross at Marywood. I picked up my nephew to join us. We came home right before the monsoon began. Too bad the power was out and we were locked out. We headed to TCC for a rainy afternoon of volunteer packet stuffing. We stayed for dinner and lots of wine. Saturday morning we took the boat over (on a chilly morning) to TCC for breakfast with the Easter Bunny. TCC does an amazing party with crafts, egg dying, bunny pics, petting zoo and awesome egg hunt. The big kids run on the driving range and grab golf balls. They trade them in for cash and candy. So fun! That afternoon I finished some hats just in time for the Mad Hatter adult egg hunt with the Bentons and Charnleys at FYC. Such a fun party! The Easter bunny visited our house and hid eggs all outside- some with $5! He also brought tubes for the kids and a big ski tube which we tried out after mass. We learned it needs more air and we need a tube rope. An awkward afternoon and lots of sugard up kids. We finished the day with river swimming with neighbors and KFC on the porch. I had my glass of wine ready for GOT. Deep breaths as we glide into this Easter season. Cheers to more holy moments.

This dog thing really is like having another child. I was prepared for that, which is why I dragged my feet for so long. But it really is left on me to do most of the work. Ellie and sometimes Marly have been huge helpers (as usual). They wake up and take him out- he sleeps in their room (back and forth). But all of the helpers are in school most of the day, so that leaves me. I feel bad about leaving him home/don't totally trust what he'll do while I'm gone. So, I take him with me a lot. I know. I'm totally "that friend". Ugh, I hated that friend, too. Never say never. So, here I am. We had a MOPS Monday and did our 1 Vibe dance. It was so cool. Jessica's friend, Kristen talked to us about mental health. Always a great way to kick off the week! Lots of afternoons in the park dragging Spot along. He loves to ride in the car. (I had to get a deodorizer for the car). He ran with me on Tuesday morning. He came to the beach with us on Wednesday morning. He actually chewed through his leash and ran off chasing sea gulls. I do let him go without a leash so he can really run it out. But then it's stressful getting him back. He does come back, which is good. Many times this weekend he ran into the lagoon on the other side of our street. He comes out super muddy. Once I had to lure him into the car to get him back. Lots of baths! Currently all the couch covers are in the washing machine. I even bought a Swiffer. Ugh. I had a membership meeting at TCC on Wednesday night and ended up encouraging a MOPS girls night after party (since I didn't make the GNO). We had a fabulous group at Tracy's until 1am. It wears me out, but fills me up. Thursday kicked off the Steeg tennis tournament. I went up for a little bit that night. Friday we hiked the trails at Tillie Fowler park (first dog park experience). After school I dropped the kids at the pool then went over to watch the guys play their first match. They lost, but played better than last year. We did dinner poolside then headed home. Ellie had Finley Cate sleep over. Saturday we made eggs benedict and took it easy. We headed back to FYC for more tennis watching. Another day at the pool for the kids. Vaughan picked us up via boat and headed back to FYC for the party. We broke down and were saved by David. Great party, but too late and too much booze for me. Sunday morning was rough (especially because Spot had a lagoon adventure and bath before 8:30 mass). Palm Sunday. We met the Smiths for bfast at TCC. Then, back to FYC for the last round of tennis. They won both Saturday and Sunday. I took the kids home for early dinner and bedtime. Phil stayed to watch and picked up Thai for us. I prepped for Season 8 of Game of Thrones and tried to tire out Spot. Early night for all.
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