Summer In Review: Different, Busy, Fun

Summer is coming to a close for the Selph household and we're currently experiencing all the emotions because of it. *Sigh* We are just going to miss summer oh so much.

Even though this summer has been a little different for us (I started tutoring, we've had a slightly busier schedule, we had to make a big and last minute decision about where Austin would attend PreK, and I was awaiting/searching/stressing over potential jobs for the new school year), it has been full of some wonderful  memories and fun-filled adventures. We have enjoyed it soo much. Even the weekly trips to buy groceries and all of the challenges of fighting boys and non-stop craziness have been worth it. I have a brand new appreciation for summer now that I have 1 boy (almost 2!) in big school and have experienced school year busyness and exhaustion. I cherish summer days with my boys and this summer was no exception.

Time to recap. Our summer in review...

*For the first time ever we kicked off summer and Memorial Day weekend with a trip to the beach! Even though we were worn out from end of school craziness, we had a great time and really loved our summer kick-off with the Selph side. =)

*After returning from our trip, I finished up my days with Baby A, planned to start tutoring 2 mornings a week, started potty training Layton, and enjoyed a fun "water day/night" with the boys.

*The big boys participated in their first summer camps and really enjoyed themselves! Garrison loved baseball camp and Austin enjoyed swim lessons with friends. The commitments were brand new to us and our start to summer was busy but I know the boys would say it was all worth it. =)

*Terrell and I enjoyed an amazing anniversary trip to the beach to celebrate 11 years of marriage! It was definitely one of our favorite trips ever and the boys loved their fun-filled weekend with their grandparents.


*We had a great time sharing a favorite summer tradition with Layton and the whole fam went to the Braves game! It was super challenging with our 2 year old in tow, but also lots of fun and memory-filled. =)


*We endured a stretch of busy summer days and then enjoyed a happy, busy, (and kinda sick for me) Father's Day Weekend.

*We loved our field trip to Dauset Trails with Granna, AnAn, and Piper! Another favorite summer tradition that we were excited to share with newbies. =)


*Then we enjoyed a wonderful week at the beach and our best family vacation ever! (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) We fell in love with St George Island, Florida and can't wait to go back! This is one of the first summers I can remember that I've actually missed the beach so much I wished we could go back in the same summer. This is big deal when you're talking about vacationing with littles! It was that special.


*We returned from vacation to a long weekend and pretty great 4th of July. We also took the boys to see Finding Dory. Terrell and I will laugh about it one day, but Layton Selph made sure it wasn't a lazy, relaxing trip to the movies... and that we didn't really see the movie we paid for. Ha.


*The week of the 4th is also the week Ms. Debbie so graciously invited us to use her pool. We've enjoyed her pool lots the 2nd half of summer and I can tell a huge difference in the boys' swimming and confidence because of the opportunity to swim weekly. Garrison is now a strong swimmer and all over the pool, Austin is more confident, doesn't mind getting his face wet, and doesn't mind going under, and Layton has learned to kick and get around the pool in his float like a pro. I don't even have to be in the pool with them every single second. Having a pool to visit regularly has been awesome.


*We took a really fun trip to the Georgia Aquarium and loved our under sea adventure with Granna, AnAn, and Piper. =)


*In July we enjoyed game nights, building with blocks, library visits, reading time, coloring at the table, movie nights, mornings at the pool, afternoon TV shows, a housewarming party, and making over our master bedroom.


*The big boys had a ball with their grandparents and cousins while Layton soaked up extra fun, attention, and quality time with mama and daddy.

*Then we enjoyed our last big summer weekend full of water park fun, fishing, swimming, celebrating AnAn's birthday, and fro-yo. =)


We have had a great summer. I have really, really loved tutoring (and I'm so excited to continue through the school year!), we potty trained Layton (wooohooo!!), we had some lazy days and some busy days, experienced some firsts, and enjoyed some favorite summer traditions.

Now things haven't been easy, breezy all summer... we've definitely had some low moments. Think anxious mama due to all the decisions hanging over us most of the summer plus fighting, ugliness, drama, lost tempers, lost patience, tears, meltdowns (by all of us), the works. But all in all, this summer was a really great one. Slightly different for us but still really wonderful. We have it enjoyed it so, so much and it's hard to see it go.

HOWEVER, we are focusing on the positive! Going back to school was never my favorite growing up, but now that I'm a mama I know it's up to me to rally the troops and get everyone somewhat excited and to set the tone with a good attitude and joyful outlook. So this year we're doing something a little different to get us pumped up. Nothing big, just mama being intentional about getting everyone motivated and looking forward to the brand new year. Little things that will hopefully add up to big things. =)

Today is a BIG day... Open House for both of my big boys. This year I'll have a big 2nd grader AND a big PreK-er. Oh my heart!! Let the excitement, good attitudes, and joy-filled happenings begin!