Camp Mommy: August

So, this month was short because school started mid-month, but we did some fun things in the short time we had left of the summer - and with two snotty boys who weren't always feeling well.

Our August started off with a bang - at the Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey circus: Built to Amaze. And it did! Banner has been talking about the circus NONSTOP since our fun time there with Grandma, Uncle Brock, Aunt Mischelle, Brycen, and Nami. We all had a great time, but Banner couldn't get enough and wants to watch YouTube videos of this particular circus every day. He also walks around singing the same songs from the circus: "Build this circus, build it right.... we've got the plans, we've got the blueprints... build it up!" And, he pretends to lead the circus by getting on the fireplace saying, "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages..." and then some other words . . . and then "THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH!" Truly, he's obsessed, and he wants to go back immediately. He asks 4-5 times a day when the circus will be back in town and when we can go again. Poor guy, but I'm so thrilled he had such a great time.

Other things we did: had 2 birthday parties, went to Home Depot with Daddy for a fun workshop, had a play date at Anya, Shayna, and Arielle's, went to the rec center with Gretchen, Ryan, and Grandma - then had lunch at Chili's with Grandma, had a FroYo date with Cherie, met Banner's teachers for next year and then met friends at Monster Yogurt, and celebrated Daddy's birthday 3 different times (a family date night near Daddy's office, a brunch at Grandma & Papa's to celebrate Uncle Erick and Aunt Mischelle, too, and a dinner at NaNa & Uncle Paul's to celebrate Zaide's birthday as well). We also had another lesson at Young Chef's Academy with Myka and Shayna, met Casey, Caden, and Everett at the park for some fun playground time, played games and ate great at Gattitown, went to May Dragon with Grandma & Papa (after Banner said, "I want to go to a restaurant to eat dinner, and I want to go with Grandma because I love her so much"), participated in the Back to School Ice Cream Social, and made applesauce muffins to celebrate Back to School! (Yes, we did a lot of "good eatin'" (as Banner says) these past few weeks.) But, perhaps the highlight of this past week was the trip to the Fire Station. We walked up to the nearby station with Randi, Ella, "Ella's Bubbie,"Anya, Shayna, and Arielle to get a tour, and we got to sit in and explore the fire trucks before walking next door for a (distracted) lunch at the McDonald's play area! Banner loved the fire station visit - so much so that he wants to go back daily ("Mommy, I have a great idea! Let's go to the fire station," "Can we go to the fire station after dinner?").

Camp Mommy is officially over - at least until Winter! I'm thankful for a great summer full of fun activities to teach us, entertain us, and keep us busy!

Enjoy some pictures from this final month! :)

Uncle Brock & Banner "clowning" around

Uncle Sammy & Nami

On the floor at the preshow event

One of Banner's favorite parts - the clowns, the truck, the paint

Grandma bought the boys a special toy from "The Greatest Show on Earth!"

Silly Grandma

The last day of camp with Ms. Rachel

Last day of camp with Bree (his "best friend")

Kissin' Cousins

The boys were running around the house chasing each other

Here comes Brycen!

The boys at NaNa & Uncle Paul's

Pretending to go night-night

A little fun at Grandma's house!

Arielle & Quinn

Oh, the fire station!!!

Ella & Banner working out at the fire station

Sweet Ella loves Quinn! (I think the feeling is mutual!)

These three sat there like this on their own. Casey ran over to get the shot - so glad she did!

Banner, Caden, and Everett

Banner's "shy" face

I love this one... listening so intently!

Making tortillas

Silly chefs!