I started the week with a 5:15am spinning class with my pals Christy and Vanessa. I'm telling you, it about killed me for the whole week! I just can't handle that early in the morning; it's not sustainable! I hosted my new small group play date for MOPS. It was nice to see some old pals and reconnect with new ones. It was also the big girl's first day of school. I walked them into their classrooms. It was pretty anticlimactic. We had ice cream bars as an afternoon snack. Tuesday we did a mid-morning play date in Alice's new pool. But the kids were crabby and I was, too. So hot and (still tired from Monday). I was eager to climb back in bed and keep reading my awesome book, The Nightingale. Those afternoon rainstorms are the best! We had a "gymnastics class" play date on Wednesday. Then, the super hot park! I went out that night with some high school pals, Jacy and Chrissy. I loved catching up with them! Thursday was Abigail's open house. She was super shy. Another hot, crabby morning. We got to meet her teachers and see all her classmates. Ellie had her pal, Finley Cate over after school. She ended up spending the night. Super cool, mom- I must say! Friday was super productive. I made up for my slacking all week long. I swam and ran, pressure washed the porch, picked up the Nixon twins and went to Adventure Landing water park for a play date. It was a great day! We celebrated Brian's Birthday that night with key lime pie at their house. Late night spoons game! Saturday Phil played in a tennis tournament. We went to solar eclipse story time, out to lunch and watched Phil for a bit. It was SO HOT! I don't know how Phil played out there! That night we went to the Counting Crowns & Matchbox 20 concert. It was so fun, but still hot! Today after mass we did a Progressive Boat Day. We started at the Creels for breakfast, then the Thivierges for wraps, Hollands for salmon, our house for gazpacho then the Applegates for dessert. It was such a fun day! 

We didn't really take a family vacation this summer. When ever I got sad about this, I remembered that every day around here is pretty much a vacation. I mean, really. Well, we took a trip to visit Phil's family- and turned this into our family vacation. We had a good visit. We went to the Frost Science museum one day, a recommendation from Phil's sister. She met us for lunch at this awesome place in the Art museum across the way- right on the water. Gorgeous! We even got to go back to the museum. It was super cool! That night we did a low key dinner, family monopoly and then Phil and I snuck out for a drink at a local bar. The next day was a beach day. We rented kayaks and toured the canals of awesome homes! We did a pizza party at Phil's Godmother's house that night. We drove back the next morning after breakfast. Just in time for kids night at TCC with the Creels. Thursday was enough time for me to do laundry, clean up and get organized. The girls did a lemonade stand and made a killing! Friday was open house at school. My friend, Laurie watched the younger two. We met Marly's 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Litchfield. She's new to the school but seems fabulous! Then we went to the other side of the school to the big kids and met Ellie's teachers, Mrs. Williams (science and math) and Mrs. Roberson (language arts and social studies). We dropped off school supplies and filled out lots of paperwork! We all went out to a celebratory lunch at Tijuana Flats. That afternoon and evening was relaxing- early bed time with Phil and I getting take out and watching a movie. Saturday I had the MOPS leadership retreat. I'm loving the new theme! We had such a great time together planning the new MOPS year. You would think I've gotten my fill at this point, but man, I'm excited for another year! I'm in charge of play dates. After retreat we went to the Hollands for dinner and swimming. I'm having some allergic reaction to something on my face. Chlorine maybe? So, that's fun. Sunday was mass, breakfast and Sunday funday in the cove. We got caught in the rain and that added to the fun! Phil grilled, lots of kids and chaos- you know I love that. It was the perfect way to end the summertime!

We got a lot of rain and clouds this week. It was actually nice. The pools were cooled off, the plants were watered, we all took a deep breath. Much needed! I read an awesome book, Beach Music- the perfect summer read! We rode bikes to two pool parties: the twins Birthday on Monday and a MOPS pool party on Friday. We did another beach day with the Thompsons on Tuesday. We had a boat day with my dad all day on Thursday. Sore from water skiing- like old times! I did some back to school shopping with Ellie at JNJ's. We had the swim team awards banquet. Marly was the high point winner for her age group! We had a fish dinner one night with fresh tuna from Aaron's Louisiana trip. We kicked off the weekend with golf and First Friday dinner with the Napoleons. I did a paddle board race on Saturday morning. I came in last place! That was a first for me! Still an awesome experience! We went to Mabel's Birthday party last night. Ice cream sundaes! This morning we went to mass and breakfast. Now, we're headed to Miami to visit Phil's family.

We kicked off the week with a trip to Ichetucknee Springs. It was supposed to be a MOPS play date but only one other mom rode with us. It was still awesome. Yes, it's a lot of work, but man, that place is awesome. It rained, but the mist made it even more awesome! We saw lots of turtles, beavers, fish and even deer! It was a great day! It was the last week of river rats for the big kids. We had practice every morning. There was a team pizza party with shirt signing night. We did the summer movie at Sunray and saw Finding Nemo and then lunch at St. Marks summer lunch. We also did kids night at TCC. Lots of time with the Bentons this week, which is always fun. Marly's Championship Swim meet was on Thursday. My pal Vanessa helped watch the kids so I could just take Marly. Phil met us out there. I'm so proud of Marly. She's the 6th fastest 6 year old in freestyle in the city! How cool is that?! It was a good meet! Friday we took it easy and hung out with our cousins for lunch. That evening the Boring Wagner's invited us for happy hour and dinner and swimming at FYC. It was a relaxing night. Saturday, Phil took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese and I took Ellie to her swim meet. She also swam well. She was the heat winner for backstroke! I timed for the 2nd shift and brought a pitcher of Bloodys to make the swim parents smile. It was a good race day. That evening we got a sitter and went to the Hershorins mafia Orange Theory night. Phil and I both did a class this week. (My arms are still sore!) This morning, Suzanne grabbed Ellie and brought her for another day of swim meet fun. It poured rain almost all day! Ellie's relay team got another heat winner ribbon! #worthit Let's go river rats! It finally cleared up and we were able to do a Sunday Funday with the Suters and Hershorins. Yay, summer!
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You know we spend our days at the pool. You've read it, seen all the pictures, seen us there and seen all of our tans. It's just what we do- whether we want to or not. It's too hot to do anything else and is still keeping us entertained. This week was Abigail's last week as a junior river rat. She did awesome! I am so proud of her! She's worked so hard. She had her final meet on Friday. I celebrated with a pitcher of bloody marys for my swim mom friends. We watched the Applegate girls on Wednesday after practice and then did kids night that night at TCC. We invited some FYC friends and Phil's work friend came, too. We had a good crowd. Thursday we did a river play date after practice. That evening we went to the Freemans for dinner and play. It was so nice catching up with Stephanie- like our old pm play dates! Ellie helped me pick up a boat from a friend's house. Now Voss has a new play toy! Friday afternoon we headed out to Sawgrass to spend time with the Thompsons. We've been partying for years, but this was the first time our kids met. It was neat to see them play so well together. We had a gorgeous beach weekend and enjoyed their awesome rental home. We came back yesterday evening. I served breakfast with MOPS this morning then we went to a later mass. We had the CEE pool party this afternoon. It was a little overcast so luckily it wasn't too hot. Now we're all just snoozing on the couch. I'm about to make a big pot of spaghetti for Sunday supper. 

I put Ellie in sailing camp this week. She was a little apprehensive and exhausted each afternoon (insert awful attitude) but it was an awesome experience for her! She can totally sail now, too! My mom helped a bunch by picking her up from camp a few times. We had a full week of MOPS fun! Monday was a play date at the splash pad then ice cream at Dreamette! Tuesday was a pool party at Tracy's, Wednesday was a Pure Barre girls night then swimming at Vanessa's and Thursday was a beach date at Bunny's. Lots of summer fun! We were supposed to have a swim meet on Monday but it rained so we did a last minute one on Thursday. It was small and sweet but it was almost the end of me with a closed baby pool and Phil playing tennis. The after party redeemed the night with pizza, glow sticks and a mommy cocktail poolside! We got all of our school supplies on Friday then had a low key night with dinner at Firehouse subs. We had a friend's Birthday at the pool on Saturday morning. Those summer Birthdays are the best! Then we had a babysitter come early and Phil and I played golf before heading to the Jimmy Buffet pool party at TCC. Sadly, it wasn't very well attended. We still made it fun with a boat ride and an after party at the Creels. Sunday after mass we went to the Hershorins for breakfast. We ended up staying all day and playing spoons and then mafia! Another babysitter came that night while Phil and I went to the Malcolm Shannon housewarming Game of Thrones party! Yesterday we did a MOPS play date to the St. Mary's water park. It's always so much fun! Driving home in a down pour wasn't fun, but the McD's smoothies helped. I rode my bike to book club last night to discuss the Game in Regan's pool. They all hated the book but we still managed to discuss it for over 3 hours! Today was swim team then we hit the library. Now it's a relaxing, afternoon. Much needed for sure! Summer is flying by- but we are trying to enjoy it!

Oh man; it's hot. Especially when your ac breaks and then you need a new circuit part. Whew! I brought the Nixons to the pool with us on Wednesday. We did a family grocery shopping trip then a bike ride to visit my parents. Thursday was a morning at the pool then lunch of Beach Road chicken with the Browns. It was nice to catch up with them! Phil came home to meet the electrician. It was a rough afternoon with attitude. Marly and Voss got into my make-up, Abigail cut her hair. Luckily, Phil stayed with the younger two so I could go with the older two to the swim meet. It was nice! I did have to time for the first time. After the meet, I dropped the girls off then headed to meet Jan, Tracy and Jessica for drinks. Tracy and I kept going and hit Hoptingers. Friday was the mini meet for Abigail, a mermaid play date with Carolyn, then evening swim practice and first Friday. Saturday we slept in and did a boat morning with the Wagners then some Birthday party hopping. Abigail's besties- Jackson and Riley turned 4. Our old neighbor, Jack turned 7. This morning we did mass and breakfast with the Hershorins. We did Sunday Funday at the Suters. It finally rained today and cooled everything off. Whew! We needed it!
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Last minute I enrolled the girls in Vacation Bible school at St. Matthews. Abigail just went to the first day since she still had river rats. The older girls just went to afternoon practice all week. So it meant we had some marathon days. Gearing up for afternoon practice is not meant for the weary. I helped the Cutlips by taking their kids, too and watching Ansley on Monday. So we had lots of extras this week! We went to the dentist on Wednesday and for the first time, it was no fun for me. Our ole pal retired (or at reduced her hours significantly). I'm not a fan of the new guy. We need to find a new practice! Then, we had a swim meet at San Jose. I was originally so excited due to the child care option for the younger two- until Voss got kicked out for biting! We did the zoo on Thursday between swim/VBS and afternoon swim. Maybe that was not a good idea. It was neat to see all the fun extras that we don't usually do- stingrays, train, butterflies and critter show! It was hot! By the time we made it to the afternoon practice, we were toast! Friday was the last day of VBS followed by the kid's performance and hotdogs. It was a cute ending! After swim team we picked up pizza and watched the Troll movie. Lots of early bed times this week! Saturday, Phil played in a tennis tournament. Marly went to Itchnetucknee with her friend. Ellie had her friend, Finley Cate over to play. I was hoping to do a boat day but Phil was wiped after tennis. We went to TCC and cooled off. That night we got a sitter and played 9 holes of golf then went to Trader Vics, a party at FYC. So much fun that we ended at Lillians at 1:30am! Sunday was mass then pool party at the Suters. So much fun there, another late night-er. MondayI hosted a MOPS river play date. It was a gorgeous day to be out there. We had a great turn out! Phil played more golf then we all went to the McClure's for a 3rd of July party. Waterslide and fireworks! For the 4th of July we spent the day at the pool. Another water slide, face painting, balloon artist and pool games! We took a brief break and got tacos for dinner then went back for fireworks. Happy Birthday, America!
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We are so spoiled! We spend our days in the sun playing all day. We take breaks curled up in front of the TV or with a good book under the covers during thunderstorms. We have awesome friends and lots of fun things to do all the time. There really isn't anything to complain about. The week started with a beach play date at Hanna park with MOPS. Abigail winned pretty much the entire day. It was overcast and we thought it was going to rain at one point so we packed up and went to the splash park. We didn't last there long but then went to the new park with the zip line and played another hour. The beach day was a success! We had swim team every morning. Great conversations with friends while the big kids swim laps and do land training and the little kids play in the baby pool. I sip my coffee. Then we load up and go to the next pool where Abigail has her swim team practice- learning how to do all the strokes. We play in the deep end or the baby pool. Sometimes we go home and take a break for lunch. Sometimes we stay at the pool. One day the girls spent pretty much the whole day at the neighbor's house. I read the book club book, The Game. Voss and I went for a run. When we stay at the pool, sometimes I pack a lunch, other times we survive on goldfish and slushies. So rough! I delivered meals to new moms and helped watch a new big sister. We went to kids night at TCC and hung out with a new family. There was a MOPS girls night pool party at Tracy's. We had a swim meet at Deerwood and then another one at TCC this weekend. It's hot! But, I'm proud of my strong swimmers- and my loyal littles! Friday night we went to a BBQ at the Hershorins and played spoons til late. Saturday we got to play golf and then went to a concert at the Cummer Museum with friends. SO HOT! Thankful for a/c- especially since one of ours is not working right now. Today was a big Sunday Funday with friends at mass then boating to Whitey's Fish Camp then to swim at the Yacht Club then another dinner with the Hershorins and Wagners. So yeah, it's been raining, but it's sorta forced us to cool it. We are enjoying the summer with popsicles, swimming, conversations, D.E.A.R, TV, and just each other- the good and bad! Yes, we are so spoiled!

It rained for pretty much the whole swim meet- with the rain delay it started late. Which means it ran late. Past bedtime. Then we went to dinner at TFs with the team. I'm so proud of the girls, though! They are swimming so well! I did my last training session for my tri this weekend early Wednesday with a run and swim. Abigail's first week of swim team went well. She loves it! We did an expensive and chaotic Costco run for lunch. We did kids night at TCC. It was awesome watching the rain come in! I helped watch a friend's kids on Thursday at the pool. My head was spinning after a few hours for sure! We brought dinner to my pal, Chrissy and got to meet her new baby, Van. Marly especially loved holding him. Voss loved playing with all his big brother's toys. Phil and I went on a date that night in St. Augustine to see the Gypsy Kings. I think it was the best show I've been to! Our seats were awesome, the ambiance was fantastic! Friday we did swim team then picked up my race packet and dropped off my bike then headed to a friend's Sweet Pete's Birthday party. It was the perfect thing for a rainy afternoon! We went to the 50th Anniversary of the West Jax Rotary Club that night. It was a good party with some great conversations. I went to bed early and was up super early for the Jax Sprint Triathalon! I rode with the Hershorins out to Amelia Island. I was pretty nervous waiting for my heat to enter the water, but it was a good race. The swim was a bit harder than I thought it was going to be. The bike was long, but not horrible. Keri's bike was fabulous! Then the run was just as brutal as I remembered. It made me happy to pass Brian! And guess what, I got 4th in my athena category! Isn't that crazy?! I'm so proud of myself! It was a long ride back, but I met my family at the Suter's for a pool party- maybe welcoming Tracy's mom to Jax after her retirement! Today was nice and relaxing for Father's Day. We went to mass then breakfast. Phil took the older girls to play golf. I stayed home while the younger two napped. I started reading the next book club book. We put the kids to bed early and then got Latin House grill take out and are now watching movies. A great R&R day! My dad is out of town so we'll have to celebrate later.