School is back in session

School is back and summer is coming to a close. It was a great summer one I thoroughly enjoyed with my kiddos and not to mention it's been such a cool summer here in Indy...I don't really loooove hot weather so high 70's and low 80's are totally my jam! However, I finally understand why my parents were ok with school starting again :) Lydia needs structure and she needs to socialize with her people...she is a social creature, a little bit of a shy one at first but she thrives in school. I am happy to see what this year brings for her.

Here is our summer list and what we actually accomplished from it:

Vacation
Zoo Visits
Make our hill into a slip and slide
Camp - backyard and the real deal  - just didn't get to take Lydia for real camping ... "yet"
Hang lights on our deck or in our screened porch
Summer reading program
Pool Days...lots of them
Swim Lessons for Lydia  - she did awesome!!
Try gardening (already planted) - SUCCESS...minus our green tomatoes it's been too cold, so I hear, they are all green still, but I made green bean casserole last weekend from my very own garden!
Submit our dossier - this has taken us so much longer than we anticipating we are going into month 8 of this process but praying this fall we finally get everything submitted. It's really hard to rely on others to move things ahead.

We've taken naps, gone swimming, gone to the zoo, gone on vacation, visited with friends who live in Ann Arbor which meant a night away from home for all 4 of us with friends who let us wreck their house and wake them  up early, had our church festival, had Garrett's 2nd bday party, went to the fair. I read a ton of books, had dinners with my sister at fun foodie restaurants that my husband would never try. I love summer but I am almost ready to welcome fall with open arms!

Garrett is 2

Sweet G-man,

You are 2 and you are such a joy to my life and all of those who love you. You have sweet blonde curls that keep coming back even though we have cut it...thank you Jesus for blonde curls. You have an infectious belly laugh that makes everyone else belly laugh at the sound of it. You are a quiet thinker and independent player but you still love your mama's lap and that makes me so incredibly happy. We have a few words now but no big conversation happening. You try and do everything your sister does and it drives her crazy! You are still a pretty good eater and will at least try everything we put in front you. You still gallop when you run and try and do the whole Disney Jr. dance break (need to get that on video!) You love Harry and will make him tea and make sure he gets his phone calls (put's the phone right up to his ear). You are a great sleeper now...which makes up for the first year of your life. You still take great naps and even ask mommy to put you down sometimes. This year you got to go to the beach (you didn't LOVE it..but by the end you didn't hate it), you have visited Kate and Ryan in Ann Arbor, actually got to ride the rides at the festival and become a pro at the "choo choo" at the zoo and even growl back at the Lions.

My G$ you are the sweetest boy and I just look at you and think how blessed I am that God chose me to be your mama, that we are lucky enough to call you son and watch you grow and hopefully help you navigate this thing called life. I pray that you continue to learn and observe all that is around you, that you see the good and the love that is surrounding you and that you know that God loves you even more than me and that's a whole whole lot!!

Love you forever and ever amen,

Mommy