Summer Bucket List Check off: (8/6 Update)

We have completed 50 of the 66 want-to-do's so far!! We are 58 days into the Summer now!

SUMMER BUCKET LIST:

Here's the list of must do's we've come up with so far for the 88 days of summer (that does include weekends).
1. Kite flying (6/29-7/3)
2. Strawberry picking (we missed our opportunity I'm afraid...)
3. Camping
4. Going to the water park in Mackinaw (ok we went to Avalanche Bay)
5. Swimming in a pool
6. Going to Bay View Beach
7. Going to Petoskey State Park Beach (7/30 - only for a brief visit)
8. Going to Young State Park Beach (or Boyne City Beach!) (6/23)
9. Going to Camp Petosega Beach
10. Dipping our toes in Lake Superior (this is a far fetched one... but maybe?)
11. Planting flowers
12. Playing at Central, Ottawa, Sheridan and Lincoln's playgrounds.
13. Having a picnic with our friends.
14. Going to listen to the music in the park.
15. Spending the night at Grandma Debbie & Grandpa Lou's.(This will probably be checked off many times!)
16. Eating dinner on the deck
17. Sleeping in (Mommy)
18. Pick up litter any time we see it. (6/22)
19. Get crafty and make some outside projects like a sculpture for the yard. (6/22)
20. Play the wii. (Mommy said only if it's a rainy day)
21. Go walk the hiking trail at Petoskey State Park
22. Walk along the Bear River.
23. Get a pizza and go play at the water front park
24. Go fishing
25. Go visit our cousins
26. Have friends over to the house to play in the sprinkler.
27. Look for beach glass (7/1)
28. Go for walks (6/29-7/3)
29. Go for bike rides (6/24) (6/29-7/3)
30. Wash the car. (6/25) Daddy actually washed it... so you washed your bikes!
31.  Make popsicles (6/25)
32. Get mini-basketball hoop out and play
33. Go bowling
34. blow bubbles
35. finger paint
36. Go to the library (6/26)
37. Create an obstacle course (7/1)
38. Feed the ducks
39. Do a 3-legged race
40. Play frisbee
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41. Go to the wooden park in Boyne City.
42. Climb Barn Mountain
43. Go to the water fountains in Charlevoix
44. Go to the Gaylord Community Pool
45. Scrapbook with Mrs. Whitfield.
46. Plan a trip with Miss Kelly, Gavin, Ashlynn & Alynna
47. Go camping with all our friends
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48. Get a dog. (Daddy said NO!)
49. Roll down the grassy hill (6/21)
50. Play in our blow up pool every day.
51. Catch butterflies *we tried but didn't actually catch any in the butterfly net. (6/22)
52. Go to the concerts in the park during lunchtime
53. Go for walks to the library. (We didn't walk but it was still fun!) (6/26)
54. Go to 7/11 for slurpees
55. Get paint brushes and buckets of water to paint pictures on the driveway
56. Try a new fruit.
57. Make shish-ka-bobs
58. Take golf lessons or go mini golfing
59. Make a fairy house under the deck
60. Ride our bikes!
61. Do yoga
62. Go to the skate park
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63. Mommy goes to be with Auntie Tab while baby Grant is born!*Mommy didn't get to do b/c of knee. :( AUNTIE TAB CAME HERE FOR A VISIT!
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64. Go to Pond Hill Farm!
65. Play at St. Francis playground! (6/26)
66. Camping Trip with Gramma Deb & Grampa Lou (6/29-7/3)

Summer Days 52-58

Summer Day 52: Monday, 7/30: Over the weekend we went to Auntie Angela's and it was so much fun! She was so sweet and bought us a fun little dancing sunshine flower. It's the cutest thing ever! Today we spent the day cleaning up the house and playroom. There was a lot of toy sorting going on because tomorrow we have a house appraisal and friends are coming over to play. It should be lots of fun... and well worth the hours of cleaning!

Summer Day 53: Tuesday, 7/31: Today we had our friends over! Shawni came over at 10 a.m. and we picked up Grace at well... we were supposed to be there at 11 but mommy got lost and we finally found her house at about 11:45. On our way back to our house we decided to go check out the new playground equipment that Central School has installed! The girls played for about an hour then we had to go because a worker-type-person was in need of moving woodchips... so off to Spalding Su Casa we go! The girlies played in the playroom while I made lunch, no a feast! After lunch they played and watched a little movie (Gnomeo & Juliet) ; since it was rainy I figured it would be okay. After the rain let up; we took our party porch side! These little hoolies spent 2 hours coloring with markers on their bird houses & masks! (Kk was a super hero!) Then they all played outside for a bit. We had dinner about 5:30'ish and then decided the only perfect way to end a day is with ICECREAM -- good bye house, hello Corner Scoops! Everyone was safely home by 7:30 p.m. It was a perfect day with friends! Now... when we arrived at home we noticed the garage door was closed... we opened it and then seen a HUGE WRAPPED ITEM in the middle of the garage floor. Attached was a note that read:

Ho Ho Ho Happy Summer Spalding Girls!

This Christmas Diego Sparkle and I were trying to decide what would be best for you.... well, Diego Sparkle heard you mention that you would like a pool. So, your BIG Christmas gift this year is going to be THIS! Your daddy has agreed to help by situating the things that need to be done, so you better be extra good for your parents. 

We hope you enjoy this extra special BIG gift... it's something that you can use during the the Summer months and we think you will get a lot of use out of this instead of a lot of little presents. We hope you ENJOY THIS!! 

Love, 

Santa (the signature was all fancy too!)

Needless to say you were both SO GIDDY! Well, okay we were ALL GIDDY with excitement! I cannot believe Santa brought us all a pool! It's so cool!!! So began a 5 day project....

Summer Day 54: Wednesday, August 1:  We woke up a little later today... it was so nice to sleep until 7:30! It doesn't seem "Later" but it is compared to the normal 6:30 wake up! We cleaned up the toys from our friend party yesterday... things were put away but not away enough to be considered clean. We spent the morning talking about the pool that daddy is now going to situate for us! At 11 a.m. mommy got a phone call from Best Buy saying her camera was unable to be repaired so we picked up Grandma Debbie and went to Traverse City for the afternoon!! (After bringing the camera home I quickly realized it is not working properly so back to Best Buy we will go another day.) Today was officially the start of Project Pool! Daddy came home with lumber and started digging immediately! He wanted to honor Santa's request and make this pool happen soon because the Summer days are slipping away fast. Daddy got a good start on getting half the boards in! Mommy is SO EXCITED because Auntie Tab and Uncle Joe are coming up today! They are staying with Auntie Tab's Grandma Chris tonight and then tomorrow they will go to their condo at Boyne Mountain.(Auntie Tab text me at 11:30 saying they arrived at 11 p.m.)

Summer Day 55: Thursday, August 2: This morning I got a text from Auntie Tab at 10 a.m. inviting us over to her Grandma Chris' for a little visit. So, we got dressed and went over to see them all! It has been 2 years since mommy last seen Auntie Tab! It's been TOO LONG! My little Sassy Spalding's, Auntie Tab and mommy have been best friends for 25 years! That's a LONG LONG TIME! We have grown, changed, and become parents in those years...we remain besties still and I cannot believe it's been that long! Anyway- playing immediately commenced when we arrived at Grandma Chris'. You played tea party (even though Kk was a little reluctant), ate doughnuts, colored and all the while I got to visit with Auntie Tab. I miss her so much! After visiting with them for bit, we went over to Grandma Deb & Grandpa Lou's. We ate lunch and dinner with them! We picked green beans and snap peas from Grandpa's bean stalks! (Pretty soon we are certain he'll be able to climb them!) Abby Doo came over to Grandma's with Uncle Josh too. You all played so nicely! Then when Jordy got off the bus Uncle Josh brought him down to Grandma's too! After dinner you hoolies put on your swim suits and we went to Auntie Tab's condo and went swimming!! Update on Project Pool, Phase 1 has been completed! 

Summer Day 56: Friday, August 3: Today daddy decided to take the day off; the sand for phase 2 of project pool is being dropped today! He spent the morning figuring out the details of how he will do this. After the sand arrived about 1 p.m. Around 4'ish we had shoveled more than a dozen tractor bucket fulls.... daddy and mommy needed a break! Just as we were discussing this much needed break; Auntie Tab called and invited us to come swimming! Naturally we jumped in our suits and drove down there! It was so nice to cool off in a pool! (Cannot wait until we can do it in our own!) We played for a couple hours, then everyone headed home. We came home and mommy realized that a birthday outfit that I bought for Makenna had arrived as I text Aunt Gina; she was knocking at our door! Daddy started with the sand again at about 6:30 p.m. Aunt Gina ended up staying and then Grandma Sandee & Grandpa Bob came over. While mommy, daddy and Grandpa Bob shoveled sand; you visited with Kenna, Grandma Sandee and Auntie Gina. We finished the last load of sand at around 9'ish and it was very relieving to do so because phase 2 was then complete!

Summer Day 57: Saturday, August 4:  Up and at'em early this morning again!! Daddy went and rented a compactor and in only a matter of an hour or so he had phase 3 - leveling the sand - complete! We went over to visit Auntie Tab again today! It was a scorcher outside - 92 degrees and very humid!! We went in our swim suits and swam from 2 until 3:30! It was nice to cool off!! We spent the afternoon and early evening with them too! Mommy & Daddy made dinner and everyone enjoyed some good food and nice conversation. You hoolies played nicely together with Veda & Grayson. Everyone loved baby Grant, well because he's a sweet baby!! Daddy got a call from work and we ended up having to leave at about 7 because daddy had to go to Gaylord. So, we came home and got showered and in our cozies! You both were sleeping by 8!! It was a fun, long, beautiful day with friends!

Summer Day 58: Sunday, August 5: Today mommy was very sad. :( Auntie Tab had to leave today, but before they did  -- they came up to the fire hall so Grayson and Veda could see the fire truck! Auntie Tab took lots of pictures of them in the fire truck, putting on daddy's gear and even one with the fire hose! Grayson never stopped smiling the entire time he was in the fire truck! It was very cool to watch you all enjoy the passion that daddy has for the fire department. I cannot even write about it because it's making me all teary.  After everyone left, we went to Home Depot and Walmart to get a few things; we were looking for pool stuff mostly. It was super windy out but when we came home from the store, daddy started putting up the pool! So, he put it up, and filled it a couple inches with the fire hose...tomorrow he's hoping to get a fire truck and fill it up completely so we can actually use the NEW POOL!!

Summer Days 47-51

Summer Day 47: Wednesday 7/25: Today was spent playing dress-up! The morning started with dressing up as HGTV Design stars and then Super Heroes! You little Sassys know just the right way to put a smile on a mommy's face! I love watching you both play so sweetly together. We toyed with cleaning out the chaotic closet... there is A LOT to do in there... so we decided to put it off a day. We knew that the rainy weather was expected for one more day so we played dominoes for a while and then ended the day with a fun game of go fish. xoxo

Summer Day 48: Thursday 7/26: Funniest thing happened this morning. We watching the birds on the bird feeder and Gracie out of no where says, "Oh those darn black birds make me so mad." She gets up and opens the front door and yells, "Get out of here you black birds, you mean, greedy black birds." This was said in such a tone that reminded of daddy... the look on Gg's face was all daddy too. She gets this mad look when yelling... that just makes me laugh. Silly girl!! After a watching the birds kind of morning, we started the dreaded closet. We started this project at 10 a.m. and finished at about 3 p.m. (mind you we stopped for lunch). There was 4 hours of funky fashion shows! I think every piece of clothing was tried on. New school clothes were brought in to be hung up and non-fitting clothes were divided between Abby Doo & Kenna. There are definitely enough clothes to spread between the two.

Summer Day 49: Friday 7/27: This morning we watched the Olympic flame be brought into London on the Queen's boat. Then we planned on waiting all day for daddy to come home so we could watch the Olympics opening ceremony together. But, instead Grandma Debbie called -- she needed to have another Grandma Debbie Day. She doesn't like going that long between your stays with her. You left with Grandma Debbie around noon. Mommy made sure the opening ceremony was being recorded so we could still watch it together. So mommy went over to see Miss Dody. (Don't worry Autumn & Jordon were with their Grandparents too!) When I came home daddy had made mommy dinner (steaks, potatoes & broccoli), then he took me to the movies! We seen the movie, The Watch.


Summer Day 50: Saturday, 7/28: This rarely has been happening my Sassy's... mommy slept until 10 a.m.! It was so nice to sleep, since mommy's leg has really been hurting and preventing me from sleeping. I got up, ready and was to Grandma & Grandpa's by 11. I heard all your fun stories about how you played double 12's dominoes, war and how Gg woke up at 4:30 a.m. to play with Jazzy and didn't go back to sleep!!! Apparently Gg wanted to sleep with Grandpa because Jazzy sleeps with him. Kk slept in the playroom (which has it's own tv) -- you both kept telling mommy about all the fun you have; I love it. Then, we went over to Auntie Angela's at noon and swam for a couple of hours. It is fun to go over to see Abby Doo & Jordy! Jordy was a very happy boy today!! He played in the pool the entire time with a big smile on his face. You both and Abby Doo couldn't take the cold water so you got in and out a few times. We were home by 4'ish and daddy still wasn't home from work! So we got cozy and read for a while. Then we decided we were going to go play outside... so we got on bike helmets and you hoolies rode your bikes for a long while!

Summer Day 51: Sunday, 7/29: This morning daddy took you both to church at Cross in the Woods. Mommy stayed home and slept; last night was a rough nights sleep for me. So after you hoolies left at 10, I got cozy in my chair and slept until you returned home at noon. You hoolies played for hours, no kidding, in the playroom! It is so cute to watch! I love listening to your high pitched voices pretending to be someone else. You are adorable. Then the opportunity arose and we finally watched the Olympics opening ceremony! It was AMAZING! London really went all out! Then we watched the swimming competitions which was very cool! You were both amazed at how quickly those people can go in the water. Now, Kk wants to do swimming in the Olympics! So... we'll foster that desire by continuing to learn how to swim! ;) I love you my Sassy Spalding's! xoxo

Summer Day 46

This is Kailee, Kailee the Explorer! She's finding unique items and trying to classify them. Hours of scouting!

Look at that sweet Gg smile!

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While the girls are playing I hear: "This house is a condo on the outskirts of India is 2 million dollars, this house that is not in the heart of city is 40 thousands dollars and this bungalow on the East side is 45 cents plus rental fees of 4,000. Which one will you choose Grace?" -- Yep I think we have officially watched too much of House Hunters International.

Summer Days 43-45

Summer Day 43: Saturday, 7/21 : Today we went grocery shopping (which went very well because you hoolies love picking out groceries). Then we went out to Camp Petosega to visit our dear friends The Conklin's! We brought your bikes and you had lots of fun bike riding with Autumn & Jordon. Mommy & Daddy played cards with Mr. Bryan and Miss Dody while you hoolies built a "house" with the scrap wood Mr. Bryan had. It was so cute! Then... we met a new friend! A praying mantis! He was a big one and not afraid of us at all! We brought "Elephant Peanuts" that Gracie picked picked out at the store. It was so cute, this is the conversation: G: "MOM! Look! Elephant peanuts!" M: "Wow G that's cool! What do you do with Elephant peanuts?" G: "Eat them like this of course!" (Her arm extend out then she pretends to grab a peanut and brings it to her mouth like an elephant would do with its trunk.) M: "Perfect G yes, that's exactly what I would do with them too!" So... we bought those peanuts and after eating a few G decided they were not that good. So after seeing how Jordon and Autumn could feed the chipmunks... you hoolies had to try! The little chipmunks would fill their cheeks with those big ole elephant peanuts and they kept coming back until the entire bag was gone. It was hilarious!!

Summer Day 44: Sunday, 7/22 : Well we woke up late and didn't make it to church today. Daddy had to go to work so we had a lazy morning... coffee on the deck was perfect... then we ventured off to Auntie Angela's house to play in the pool with Abby Doo. Jordy didn't really want to swim today so he sat on the deck just watching. You little Sassy Spalding's had so much fun! It is awesome to watch you play with your cousins so sweetly. We had a splish-splashy sun-tastic day! Even mommy got in the pool because it was so hot. It felt good to cool off!! Abby Doo got her ears pierced yesterday and she looks adorable! She's so proud of her little earrings too! While in the pool though we noticed that one had come out! Yikes!! But she never cried, and she never cried when she had them pierced either!!

Summer Day 45: Monday, 7/23 : Our little G slept 13 1/2 hours last night! She went to sleep at 7 p.m. and slept until 8:30 a.m.! That amazing sleeping for G!! She woke up smiling though and just wanted mommy snuggles! I love mornings of snuggles -- it's better than coffee!!Since it was a beautiful day we ended up going to the beach at Crooked Lake! It was so much to watch you play together in the water. We made sand castles, searched for sea-shells and even had a swimming contest! Kailee is doing so well with swimming and holding her breath under water. Gracie is getting more brave too! Conversation with Grace: G: mommy can i have a little jello? M: you may Grace. G: ok maybe a medium jello not a little. M:.how much is a medium? G: you know its between a little and a big.

Summer Day 42

Warmth plus sunshine equals lots of pool fun! This $25 pool bought last year from walmart as brought so many smiles and joyous giggles from these two little hoolies. xoxo Our day was spent in the pool from 10:30 a.m until 3 p.m. You came out hungry, tired and ready for some Lalaloopsy fun.

Summer Day 41

Poor Gg got a big bump on the noggin!

Summer Day 40

Our day today started out a little quiet... you both woke up early but just wanted to read then after a while watch tv. Then we decided at 10 to play some cards, War has been the game of choice. We played a few hands of it then it was time for lunch! Turkey & swiss with fruit was unanimous so with a little assistance we created lunch. Then ate on the deck! After we ate we played in the pool for a brief while... it's not very hot today but... it feels good! Now, you're playing ever so sweetly with the Fancy Nancy and Lalaloopsy stuff. I love summer days like this! It's been easy, fun and relaxing!

This afternoon Gracie and mommy decided we should bake a chocolate chip vanilla cake! So we did!

It was dessert tonight and you both loved it!

Summer Bucket List Check off: (7/17 Update)

We have completed 40 of the 66 want-to-do's so far!! We are 39 days into the Summer now! 

Summer Bucket List

Here's the list of must do's we've come up with so far for the 88 days of summer (that does include weekends).
1. Kite flying (6/29-7/3)
2. Strawberry picking (we missed our opportunity I'm afraid...)
3. Camping
4. Going to the water park in Mackinaw (ok we went to Avalanche Bay)
5. Swimming in a pool
6. Going to Bay View Beach
7. Going to Petoskey State Park Beach
8. Going to Young State Park Beach (or Boyne City Beach!) (6/23)
9. Going to Camp Petosega Beach
10. Dipping our toes in Lake Superior (this is a far fetched one... but maybe?)
11. Planting flowers
12. Playing at Central, Ottawa, Sheridan and Lincoln's playgrounds.
13. Having a picnic with our friends.
14. Going to listen to the music in the park.
15. Spending the night at Grandma Debbie & Grandpa Lou's.(This will probably be checked off many times!)
16. Eating dinner on the deck
17. Sleeping in (Mommy)
18. Pick up litter any time we see it. (6/22)
19. Get crafty and make some outside projects like a sculpture for the yard. (6/22)
20. Play the wii. (Mommy said only if it's a rainy day)
21. Go walk the hiking trail at Petoskey State Park
22. Walk along the Bear River.
23. Get a pizza and go play at the water front park
24. Go fishing
25. Go visit our cousins
26. Have friends over to the house to play in the sprinkler.
27. Look for beach glass (7/1)
28. Go for walks (6/29-7/3)
29. Go for bike rides (6/24) (6/29-7/3)
30. Wash the car. (6/25) Daddy actually washed it... so you washed your bikes!
31.  Make popsicles (6/25)
32. Get mini-basketball hoop out and play
33. Go bowling
34. blow bubbles
35. finger paint
36. Go to the library (6/26)
37. Create an obstacle course (7/1)
38. Feed the ducks
39. Do a 3-legged race
40. Play frisbee
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41. Go to the wooden park in Boyne City.
42. Climb Barn Mountain
43. Go to the water fountains in Charlevoix
44. Go to the Gaylord Community Pool
45. Scrapbook with Mrs. Whitfield.
46. Plan a trip with Miss Kelly, Gavin, Ashlynn & Alynna
47. Go camping with all our friends
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48. Get a dog. (Daddy said NO!)
49. Roll down the grassy hill (6/21)
50. Play in our blow up pool every day.
51. Catch butterflies *we tried but didn't actually catch any in the butterfly net. (6/22)
52. Go to the concerts in the park during lunchtime
53. Go for walks to the library. (We didn't walk but it was still fun!) (6/26)
54. Go to 7/11 for slurpees
55. Get paint brushes and buckets of water to paint pictures on the driveway
56. Try a new fruit.
57. Make shish-ka-bobs
58. Take golf lessons or go mini golfing
59. Make a fairy house under the deck
60. Ride our bikes!
61. Do yoga
62. Go to the skate park
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63. Mommy goes to be with Auntie Tab while baby Grant is born!*Mommy didn't get to do b/c of knee. :(
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64. Go to Pond Hill Farm!
65. Play at St. Francis playground! (6/26)
66. Camping Trip with Gramma Deb & Grampa Lou (6/29-7/3)

Summer Days 36-39

Summer Day 36: Saturday, 7/14:  Today we spent the morning being a little bit lazy. We enjoyed family time together, we went to the grocery store and you both were very well behaved! We also went to see the "Pirate Ships" aka the replicas of the Nina & Pinta which were what were used to come to the Americas, many many moons ago -- we didn't actually go on the boats but we seen them from afar. In the evening we went over to our friends, The Conklin's, for a kabob dinner and you little Sassy's got to play in their pool!

Summer Day 37: Sunday, 7/15: Today was Grandma Sandee's birthday, we didn't get to see her today because they went to Traverse City with Aunt Gina & Makenna. So you little Sassy's went over to spend the night at Grandma Debbie's.  Daddy ended up being called into work so we went over to Auntie Angela's and played in her pool! Grandma & I then took both of you,  Jordy and Abby back to Grandma's house for a little Grandpa time. We played outside because it was so beautiful! Hot but so nice! At about 5 p.m. mommy decided to come home to see daddy and you played the evening away with Abby. Oh and in the picture above daddy "condemned" your room! Silly dad!!

Summer Day 38: Monday, 7/16: This morning mommy had her knee appointment with Dr. Rubert (mommy has to do physical therapy again... because the knee is still giving me grief).  So, you stayed at Grandma Debbie's for a good portion of the day. When daddy and I arrived you were not thrilled about leaving. Apparently, Grandma Debbie had made a "fort" in the backyard where you at icecream, played War and all had lots of giggles... many memories were made! Daddy and I took you over to see Grandma Sandee to give her the birthday necklaces. We then proceeded over to the Fish Hatchery  and walked around for a while. You got to see some cool fish and both of you seemed really impressed by this. Daddy was most excited though. It was fun seeing him act like a giddy kid with you. Then we came home and you went straight to your little pool because it was so hot.

Summer Day 39: Tuesday, 7/17: Today Kailee asked if we could do a spa day. Since it was kind of a rough morning mommy had both of you lay down first. Gracie fell asleep and didn't want to do the spa day. So mommy and Kailee got out the Fancy Nancy Beauty Book and we did a few of the "beautifying secrets". We started with mashing bananas and adding honey to create our "face mask" and then had cucumbers which went over the eyes. We then did the foot bath in the bathtub; we did sea salt and lemon in the tub; which made our toes smell delightful! We ended our Spa Day with lotioning up our hands and feet. It was a perfect Spa Day!

Summer Days 31 - 35

 Summer Day 31: Monday 7/9  Today we stayed home and played outside in the sun! Kailee was very cooperative letting me take her picture. I loved it! It was a low key and nice to relax! xo

Summer Day 32: Tuesday 7/10 Today we went with our dear friends the Himebauch's to Traverse City. It was a fun filled day. We were able to hit a kid event at the Cherry Festival; which was ok. You each were able to feed horses, learned about how in the 1800's the war heroes would receive battle wounds and the nurses would fix them up by tearing sheets, you received cherry tattoos and we also hit up the mall. xo (Mommy's camera is at the doctors... hopefully the geek squad can repair her!)

Summer Day 33: Wednesday 7/11 Today we went to Grandma Debbie's! Auntie Angela and Uncle Josh have their pool up so we went over to their house to swim in the pool. It was lots of fun!! We went over there to swim at 2 p.m. and then went back to Grandma's at 5 p.m.! Then you little hoolies got to spend the night with Abby Doo! You had so much fun!!

Summer Day 34: Thursday 7/12 We came home from Grandma Debbie's after a morning of swimming again at Auntie Angela & Uncle Josh's. We started swimming at 11:15 and didn't get out until 2 p.m.! You hoolies were whipped! Then we came home and wanted to go in our pool. But the water was shallow and Kailee was sad (because she had to leave Grandma Deb's) ... see above picture!

Summer Day 35: Friday 7/13  It was such a beautiful day we had to get outside! So we swam today... even mommy jumped in the kiddy pool since it was 91 degrees!! It felt good!! So we swam... err... soaked in our little pool for 3 hours!

This was mommy right before I decided I must get in the pool. A good decision!

Gracie found a pet... an "inch" worm. Oye! My little animal-bug-reptile lover!!

Summer Day 30

Happy Sabbath! Kk and daddy went to church together this morning. Gg and mommy stayed home. Gg's eye was goopy and since mommy has had pink eye it's better to be safe than sorry. We don't want to spread our germs around.

Summer Day 29

Today we "cleaned" the pool! It was scrubbed to mommy-standards.

Anxious to get in that water G decided to try and brave it but inspite of the hot temps (85 degrees) it was still too icy for that little furnace of a munchkin!

Summer Day 28

"Mommy can I just play without getting pictures?"

Summer Day 27

Massages by mommy.

Summer Bucket List: Check Offs (7/5 Update)

We have completed 34 of the 66 want-to-do's so far!! We are 27 days into the Summer now! 

Summer Bucket List

Here's the list of must do's we've come up with so far for the 88 days of summer (that does include weekends).
1. Kite flying (6/29-7/3)
2. Strawberry picking (we missed our opportunity I'm afraid...)
3. Camping
4. Going to the water park in Mackinaw (ok we went to Avalanche Bay)
5. Swimming in a pool
6. Going to Bay View Beach
7. Going to Petoskey State Park Beach
8. Going to Young State Park Beach (or Boyne City Beach!) (6/23)
9. Going to Camp Petosega Beach
10. Dipping our toes in Lake Superior (this is a far fetched one... but maybe?)
11. Planting flowers
12. Playing at Central, Ottawa, Sheridan and Lincoln's playgrounds.
13. Having a picnic with our friends.
14. Going to listen to the music in the park.
15. Spending the night at Grandma Debbie & Grandpa Lou's.(This will probably be checked off many times!)
16. Eating dinner on the deck
17. Sleeping in (Mommy)
18. Pick up litter any time we see it. (6/22)
19. Get crafty and make some outside projects like a sculpture for the yard. (6/22)
20. Play the wii. (Mommy said only if it's a rainy day)
21. Go walk the hiking trail at Petoskey State Park
22. Walk along the Bear River.
23. Get a pizza and go play at the water front park
24. Go fishing
25. Go visit our cousins
26. Have friends over to the house to play in the sprinkler.
27. Look for beach glass (7/1)
28. Go for walks (6/29-7/3)
29. Go for bike rides (6/24) (6/29-7/3)
30. Wash the car. (6/25) Daddy actually washed it... so you washed your bikes!
31.  Make popsicles (6/25)
32. Get mini-basketball hoop out and play
33. Go bowling
34. blow bubbles
35. finger paint
36. Go to the library (6/26)
37. Create an obstacle course (7/1)
38. Feed the ducks
39. Do a 3-legged race
40. Play frisbee
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41. Go to the wooden park in Boyne City.
42. Climb Barn Mountain
43. Go to the water fountains in Charlevoix
44. Go to the Gaylord Community Pool
45. Scrapbook with Mrs. Whitfield.
46. Plan a trip with Miss Kelly, Gavin, Ashlynn & Alynna
47. Go camping with all our friends
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48. Get a dog. (Daddy said NO!)
49. Roll down the grassy hill (6/21)
50. Play in our blow up pool every day.
51. Catch butterflies *we tried but didn't actually catch any in the butterfly net. (6/22)
52. Go to the concerts in the park during lunchtime
53. Go for walks to the library. (We didn't walk but it was still fun!) (6/26)
54. Go to 7/11 for slurpees
55. Get paint brushes and buckets of water to paint pictures on the driveway
56. Try a new fruit.
57. Make shish-ka-bobs
58. Take golf lessons or go mini golfing
59. Make a fairy house under the deck
60. Ride our bikes!
61. Do yoga
62. Go to the skate park
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63. Mommy goes to be with Auntie Tab while baby Grant is born!*Mommy didn't get to do b/c of knee. :(
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64. Go to Pond Hill Farm!
65. Play at St. Francis playground! (6/26)
66. Camping Trip with Gramma Deb & Grampa Lou (6/29-7/3)

Summer Day 26: Happy Birthday America! Thank you for our Freedom!

Little Sassy's you have the best daddy! He took you to the parade today because mommy had pink eye.

You met Mr. Bryan, Miss Dody, Jordon and Autumn downtown! Aunt Gina was walking by and decided she wanted sit with you too... daddy didn't take picture of that though.

Then you came home and sorted out your candies in fun shapes! Firework shapes!! Now, we're awaiting sparklers!!

Daddy was on pyrotechnics and mommy was in charge of capturing the images.

"Thank you to all the people like our daddy who make us safe and let us be free." -- The Sassy Spalding's

Summer Days 21-25

Gramma & Grampa Matelski Camping Trip 2012

Summer Day 21: Friday 6/29: Was spent setting up camp and relaxing! Daddy & Grampa & Gramma took you for some bike rides which you LOVED!!! Mr. Tony and Miss Erin came out for a pop in visit which was a nice surprise. We visited with them around the camp fire until 11:30! You little hoolies wanted to sleep in Gramma & Grampa's camper so you were in bed by 10 p.m. -- yes 10 p.m.!! That's the beauty of Summer time... no schedules! Well, to kick off our camping fun daddy and I got back to the camper and it was flooded! (Apparently when mommy gave you showers I didn't actually turn off the shower, I turned off the sprayer and I turned it on full blast at the handle instead of off... well, it was quite a way to clean the floors lets say.

Summer Day 22: Saturday 6/30: Auntie Angela came out to the camp ground with Abby and Jordy. We played at the campsite and grampa "trained" Jack the dog... He soon learned that he was not the alpha male at the camp site and came to respect everyone. Auntie Angela & Gramma had to take a drive back to Auntie Angela's house because they forgot Jordy's medicine. So while they were gone Grampa and Daddy took you all on a few bike rides! You had SO MUCH FUN going for bike rides! Even Abby Doo took her little trike and managed to keep up with all you hoolies on 2 wheels!

Summer Day 23: Sunday 7/1: You all helped Grampa Lou clean potatoes... the "Matelski" way. It was the funniest thing to watch each of you stir those potatoes clean! It was like watching someone wash laundry the old fashioned way. You had so much fun doing the simplest thing! Then you also climbed the tree that you see in the lower left hand corner. You made a fort and played so sweetly the entire trip! There was no fighting and all kinds of Abby fun! Kailee and Jordy had tons of fun playing with the wagon too! You would pull one another up by the "road" then letting it go and the other person would slowly go back towards everyone. Jordy even said very clearly "Kailee" twice! He wanted Kailee to pull him in the wagon and we kept saying, "call her, say 'Kailee'" and he did (it brought tears to everyone's eyes). It was so nice to see those happy smiling faces. Gramma also brought a pool with her because we had heard there was swimmer itch... so asked the camp ground people and they said "do it!" So we filled up that little pool and you all played in it for hours!

Summer Day 24: Monday 7/2: Today we actually attempted the beach. It was fun because it was so hot and there was a nice breeze but there were so many people it made it difficult to enjoy. One little boy was spraying you with a squirt gun and finally mommy had to step in to be firm. Then some older kids found a snapping turtle and had the nerve to let it go 15 feet from where you were swimming. So, we all packed up and awaited Grampa to come and get us with the truck because there was a lot of stuff! After swimming we did showers but after a short while you were hot again and played the evening away in the little pool. It was fun watching you! After Uncle Josh came back to camp from work and while you hoolies were cooling off in Gramma & Grampa's camper watching a movie; the adults played dominoes for a while. It was so much fun. Then we were all hungry so grampa started the fire to cook the roast, potatoes & green beans. While dinner was slow cooking from the heat of the sun or the fire (we're not sure which was hotter) Uncle Josh decided he wanted to practice face painting -- and you two were perfect to practice on. He did a great job!! And... it was a yummy dinner! You all loved it -- I've never seen you gobble up your dinner so quickly. We had Abby Doo spend the night in our camper too!

Summer Day 25: Tuesday 7/3: Mommy woke up early with pink eye... then daddy left for work. About 6:30 a.m. mommy discovered that the camper fridge wasn't working and had to quietly take all the food from the fridge over to gramma & grampa's. So, while Abby & Grace were sleeping Kailee held down the fort and quietly looked after them so mommy could go 3 camp sites away to save the food! When Abby & Gracie woke up, it was raining. So, you nicely played on the bunk beds, ate pop tarts and drank Root Beer... yes I hate to admit that but the OJ was over at grammas camper and it was pouring and coffee didn't seem like a responsible thing to give you so rootbeer seemed most appropriate considering the circumstances. Since we seemed to be facing an up hill battle with camping and mommy's pink eye -- daddy and I decided to cut the camping trip short. You were heart broken but since everyone decided it was a great long weekend and all good things come to an end you took it quite well. We first helped Gramma & Grampa pack up their camp because there was lots of stuff at their camper! Then we packed up our camp. Grampa & Gramma took you hoolies for a long bike ride. Then gramma treated you to an icecream! We parted ways about 3:30 and everyone was home snuggly and ready for vegging by 5 p.m.! It was a great camping trip... one that was a nice unexpected end to our 2012 camping season because the fridge is broke. :(

Making History

My little Sassy Spalding's today marks a historic day in history. For now, the President's Health Care Law was not shot down by the Supreme Court Justices'. However, it was a close one because the deciding Justice was actually a Republican which is shocking...however maybe this means hope. This law means that no longer can insurance companies deny coverage. Soon insurance companies will not be allowed to charge outrageous rates and they will not be able to put limits on how much can be spent on a person. These insurance companies are the biggest racket... hopefully a positive change will take place soon. xo

Summer Day 20

Hours in the pool on this sunny day...is a beautiful sight! You both get a little frustrated with mommy because I cannot make with down to the pool without pain... so mommy does a lot of watching and deck sitting. I'm sorry you're frustrated with me but I'm happy to see you entertain one another with love. xoxo