We had a surprisingly busy summer, despite my best efforts to make it "not busy," but I guess when  you're trying to pack in as much fun as possible before a new baby arrives, it tends to get busy.

It was a little sad that this was Katherine's last summer as an only child, but she's soooo excited about being a big sister soon that the sadness fades into excitement for her.  She's ready to spend the rest of her summers with her little sister.  It's the sweetest thing. 

We celebrated the beginning of summer at the library, played t-ball for the first time, had our first dance recital, ate homegrown strawberries, survived swim lessons (barely), played outside, had lots of sno cones, went to a Cardinals game, played outside some more, went to the Muny, survived another 4th of July in the "country," went to the pool too many times to count, went to splash day at church, and watched way too much TV. 


















Overall, an action packed summer.  I know summer isn't officially over just yet, but for us our greatest summer adventure is right around the corner....leading straight into the first school year for Katherine.  So in a way, summer is coming to an end for us.   

Bring on fall and the "busy" time of year.  #alreadyexhausted

**Also the Etsy shop will be closed while we welcome our baby girl.  I'll have the shop back open as soon as I'm back up and running again!**

We've been busy enjoying the last little bit of summer over here lately.  Last weekend, Jason's sister and her family came to visit and I feel like we haven't stopped to catch our breath since then. 

We've been to the Zoo, Six Flags, the pool, on a hike, back to the Zoo, back to the pool, spent waaay too much time at the local frozen yogurt place, and to the Muny.  Katherine also finished her summer reading at the library and got a super sweet yard sign to put in front of the house. 








I've literally waited 10 years for Aida to come back to the Muny.  It was so worth it.  I was introduced to Aida by my college friend and roommate.  I would highly recommend this show.  It's amazing. 




I read Hope Unfolding this summer and absolutely loved it.  It's a great book for all of the Mamas out there.  I've already preordered Becky Thompson's next book Love Unending, which comes out in January. 

Can I just say, I love the Olympics!  I've always loved watching them, but this year I've been almost obsessed.  I feel like I know the athletes personally, and I'm fixated on their every event, and feel so happy for them when they win.  I remember watching the 2012 Summer Olympics, in my first trimester with Katherine.  I was sooooo sick all the time, and I remember watching the gymnasts bouncing around and wishing I felt as good as they did.  I also thought it was crazy that when the next Summer Games came around, I'd have a three-year-old.  And yet, here we are.

Here's one of favorite moments so far from the Summer Olympics:

I'm always sad to see Summer go, but I'm also excited for Fall and all that cooler weather brings!

It's been a little crazy around here lately.  I literally don't even know where the past week went.  Story of my life I guess.

After months and months of deliberation, I finally decided to add goldfish to the fish pond in our yard.  Our pond has been vacant for two and a half years, and I was ready to "add to the family."  On Friday, I came home with two goldfish.  I named them Chandler and Monica, but Jason named them Frank and Fred (that's a long story....unless you went to high school with us).  We let Katherine look at them in their plastic bag, before I put them in the newly cleaned pond.  I let them swim out into their new home and haven't seen them since.  I've been checking on them constantly, but haven't seen either of them.  Even when I drop fish food into the pond.  I'm literally in the yard saying "Hey guys!  Are you there?  I brought lunch!"  I really hope they haven't gone to be with Jesus already.

{Monica and Chandler aka Frank and Fred's new home}

Katherine and I kicked off the weekend by heading out to a couple of yard sales Friday afternoon.  We scored some major finds and were back home in time for dinner and outside time.

{Yard sale finds}

{One of our yard sale buys.  Best $1 I've ever spent.}

We spent what turned out to be a rainy Saturday at The Magic House, also checking off another stop on the "Katherine sees St. Louis" summer.

{Deciding whether or not to crawl through the tunnel.  She opted out.}

{Loved the water table.}

{First trip to The Magic House.  Check.}

Sunday I got crazy and decided Katherine and I would eat dinner on the deck.  It was all fun and games until she realized that Doc McStuffins was on the TV inside the house.  I spent the rest of dinner looking at the back of her head while her burger got cold.

Jason was working late this weekend, so I decided to watch a little Netflix which turned into a two night John Cusack-a-thon, starting with Say Anything..., then America's Sweethearts, followed by Serendipity.  I love how Netflix gives you lists of movies and shows based on what you've watched.  "Since you watched this, you might like this."  Turning what should have been an hour of TV watching into a 32 hour event.

Not to mention when I signed Katherine up at the library for the toddler summer reading program, I signed myself up for the adult summer reading program.  I haven't participated in a summer reading program since I was in the sixth grade.  Six books in 10 weeks?  No problem.  Except for Netflix and the fact that I'm stuck on book two.  Stupid book two.

Happy Monday!  I'm off to concur a toddler and a summer book list.  And to check on my fish.

{Finally summer!}

 

{4th of July snacks}

{Happy 4th of July!}

{Katherine's first Cardinal game}

{Favorite summer playlist:  Jack Johnson}

{Katherine's first time in the pool}

{Sno Cones!}

{A trip to the Science Center}

{Summer must:  Ted Drewes}

{Shark Week!}

{Taking in a River City Rascals game}

{Visits to Creve Coeur Lake Park}

{Spending time on the deck}

{Summer beverage:  Peach Tea}

{Loving the pool!}

{Katherine's first 4th of July}

{Zach's birthday party}

{Lots of walks}

{Successful summer softball season}

{Trips to the Farmers Market}

{Summer snack:  S'mores and Sangria Punch}

We had a great summer, but I'm officially ready for fall!  So until Labor Day is over, I will soak up every last moment of summer.  After Labor Day, it's pumpkin time!