Another week of summertime...

This past week was our first week of summertime in which Connor didn't have any organized acitvity besides swim lessons. We filled the week with lots of fun! Here are some of our adventures:

Monday- we met dear friends in Roseville for lunch and some playtime. I love that our kids are growing up together, even if we can only get together every so often. The kids play as if they see each other all the time. 

Tuesday- we drove to Mare Island and checked out Mallory's new place. It's beautiful, and in a very quiet, quaint neighborhood... perfect for studying! We then headed to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and put our season passes to good use! The highlight of the trip was Connor being picked to go on stage during the Looney Tune Show. He got to dance with all the characters to Beyonce's "Shoulda Put a Ring on It." It was hilarious! I admire his brave, outgoing personality!

Wednesday- we met friends at the movie theater. During the summer, the theaters offer previously played kids movies on Tuesday and Wednesdays for $1. It was Madeline's first movie and she did pretty well! It's a perfect time to try out the movies because it's all families and many of the kids walk around or talk during the show! We saw The Lego Movie, and although I only saw parts of it, I thought it was a great movie. It was a fun outting with good friends!

Thursday- we stuck around town. The kids went to the gym daycare while I had some mat time in yoga. We then went to Jamba Juice and ran our errands to prep for the 4th of July. We finished the day off at rec swim and at Connor's swim lessons. He's doing great swimming and loves jumping off the diving board. 

Here's a cute pic of the kids getting cleaned up in prep for the 4th of July festivities. :-)

Giants Game in Honor of Gigi

The Louis Family all met for a Giant's game to honor the life of Grandma Mary by sharing some family time watching her favorite team. Grandma Mary would often watch the Giants play on her TV and Michael and she often talked about the Giant's season together. We miss Gigi everyday, but this was a great way to celebrate her long, beautiful life. 

Grub and Wine Festival at The Old Sugar Mill

Last weekend, we went to The Old Sugar Mill and enjoyed some wine, food trucks, and live music. It was a hot day, but we all had a good time. I feel fortuante that we have so many wineries and beautiful places to visit so close to our home. 

Friday Night Bowling

We went bowling as a family last Friday and had the place to ourselves. We snacked on happy hour snacks while playing a couple games together. Madeline even got into it and had a lot of fun! Michael beat us all both games, with Connor coming in at 2nd place. Maddie and I came in last but it was a close call.  I love nights like these... our family has so much fun together. We ended the night with an ice cream cone from Thrifty's in Rite Aid. Yum!

Madeline's Potty Training Adventure!

While Connor was at VBS, we embarked on the potty training adventure! Madeline was so proud to have "princess undies!" The first day was tiresome, but we hit the training hard. She went through 4 pairs of undies, but seemed to get the hang of it. The next day, she went the entire day without one accident. The 3rd day (today), again no accidents! I'm so proud of her! I was a bit stressed to begin potty training, because she is so independent, but it's gone very smoothly. It has to be on her time, and her idea! For example, I frequently ask her if she needs to go potty and she always responds with "No." But soon after, she'll report that she needs to go! Miss Independent! I'm so proud of her though! Mallory also played a big role in training her... she ran carpool with Connor to VBS so I could stay home with Madeline. She even stayed with Maddie a couple times so I could get to yoga class. I may have gone crazy if I had to stay indoors for 3 days straight! We did go to the pool yesterday and Maddie stayed dried and used the potty there twice! I think Madeline is getting consistent enough that we'll begin longer outtings (of course with a change of clothes close by!). 

Vacation Bible School and Play Dates

Connor and some of his friends attended Vacation Bible School at Southport Church this week. He's been having a great time and I enjoy hearing him sing his performance songs throughout the day. He's also had three play dates this week at the house and it's amazing to observe him playing and talking with his buddies. He's grown and changed so much and it's exciting to watch him interact with friends. 

Connor's Preschool Graduation!

Connor graduated preschool this past weekend! It was such a moving, and slightly emotional experience to see him in a cap and gown. He is such a smart, handsome, sweet young man. At the ceremony, he received the Kindness Award, and I can't think of a more fitting award for him. Ms. Robyn said that everyday, she observed Connor doing something kind to others... that he was the first to give up a chair, help her, share a toy, or give something up for someone else. I'm so very proud of him. I know he is destined for great things. It's such an honor to be his mom and I couldn't be prouder!

Random Pics...

Maddie loves to take baths in our jacuzzi tub... they laugh so hard and make up fun imaginary games! Maddie used to be scared by the jets, but now she loves them!

Connor and Maddie went to spend the weekend in Modesto with Poppy and Mimi, so Michael and I had some alone time at home and had two date nights! We went to Brew Fest at Raley Field and had a great time! 

While we enjoyed "adult time," Connor was at the Modesto Nuts game with Auntie Mal and Anthony. He got to meet all the mascots and even got a ball and a t-shirt. Thanks Mal for making another memory with him. 

Fun at Funderland

After the last day of golf camp, Maddie, Connor, Auntie Mal, and I enjoyed a few hours at Funderland. The kids always have a blast there, and thanks to Poppy and Mimi, Connor has a season pass so he loves to go and ride everything! It was nice to have Auntie Mal there so Connor could go on the roller coaster with her!

Summer Fun Continues...

Our summer is chuggin along and we're enjoying every minute! Connor finished the first session of swim lessons and has improved so much! He has mastered breast stroke and is now working on front and back crawl. He's in dolphins right now and just started session 2. We're spending lots of afternoons at recreation swim and he's all about diving for sticks and seeing how far he can swim without help. Maddie loves to swim around too and enjoys floating in the "river" at the rec center. We've also been enjoying the cool breeze in the evenings and eating dinner outside. The kids enjoy it and like to jump in the kiddie pool in between bites. Summer is the best!