Okay. Back to What I did Last Summer. It's almost over. I think I can do the rest of Summer Oh Nine in 2 or 3 posts... these may be a little picture, heavy, but at least I have everything up to remember.
Such as: The kids went to Drama Camp for a week. They had an AWESOME TIME.
They had to act, sing, improvise, and write and direct their own short plays. Riley's was a version of Chicken Little called "The Sky is Falling" and it was seriously crazy cute, especially because he wrote all the dialogue.
Violet's was a Haunted House play. Seriously sad she didn't incorporate her
"Dead Zone" song into it, though.
At the end, there was plenty of dancing, and the audience members were encouraged to participate. You don't have to tell Liane and Melinda twice!
AND they got their "Certificates of Participation" for being so adorable.
After the Drama Camp week, we had a week of Family Reunions... not exactly for the happiest of reasons, however. We were all getting together to celebrate the life of my beautiful grandmother, Gerry, who passed away on May 26th. So while the reasons for the trip were marked with sadness, the family gatherings, reminiscing, and laughter that resulted were just a testament to the amazing woman she was and the incredible family she created.
The cousins spent some time in the pool...
I read to them from my most favorite book to read aloud ever, "Skippyjon Jones"...
Everyone snuggled with Sage in her chair...
And then, on the morning of the memorial, Liane had a wonderful idea to host a tea in our grandmother's honor. We all gathered together to sip tea, remember Abu, and share stories. I was able to share a special story that Abu shared with me before she died. There were plenty of tears a-flowing that morning!
The table, set for tea...
Abu's picture welcoming us to the event...
Everyone got to use the fancy china from Liane's extensive teacup collection. The kids loved making their own tea!
Riley was VERY careful... :)
And then, later that day, we took a family photo of everyone who was able to make it to the service. Pastor Greg officiated and it was wonderful. Every single person who shared a memory or a story did a beautiful job and I loved hearing from all of them.
After the Memorial, we had plenty more family gatherings at the Publow house. Papa got out the motorcycle and let the kids ride around with him for a bit...
And they even pulled the old MG out of the garage so Mel and Luke could take a spin...
Then Riley got a (belated) birthday gift from Mel and Luke... TECH DECKS!
He spent the day with Luke learning cool tricks for them...
And even tried a few on his own...
And there were still plenty of fun and giggles with the cousins...
And the seesters...
who just love and adore their Papi.
We made some wonderful memories that week, and I loved so much having everyone around.
They had to act, sing, improvise, and write and direct their own short plays. Riley's was a version of Chicken Little called "The Sky is Falling" and it was seriously crazy cute, especially because he wrote all the dialogue.
Violet's was a Haunted House play. Seriously sad she didn't incorporate her "Dead Zone" song into it, though.
At the end, there was plenty of dancing, and the audience members were encouraged to participate. You don't have to tell Liane and Melinda twice!
AND they got their "Certificates of Participation" for being so adorable.
The cousins spent some time in the pool...
I read to them from my most favorite book to read aloud ever, "Skippyjon Jones"...
Everyone snuggled with Sage in her chair...
And then, on the morning of the memorial, Liane had a wonderful idea to host a tea in our grandmother's honor. We all gathered together to sip tea, remember Abu, and share stories. I was able to share a special story that Abu shared with me before she died. There were plenty of tears a-flowing that morning!
The table, set for tea...
Abu's picture welcoming us to the event...
Everyone got to use the fancy china from Liane's extensive teacup collection. The kids loved making their own tea!
Riley was VERY careful... :)
And then, later that day, we took a family photo of everyone who was able to make it to the service. Pastor Greg officiated and it was wonderful. Every single person who shared a memory or a story did a beautiful job and I loved hearing from all of them.
After the Memorial, we had plenty more family gatherings at the Publow house. Papa got out the motorcycle and let the kids ride around with him for a bit...
And they even pulled the old MG out of the garage so Mel and Luke could take a spin...
Then Riley got a (belated) birthday gift from Mel and Luke... TECH DECKS!
He spent the day with Luke learning cool tricks for them...
And even tried a few on his own...
And there were still plenty of fun and giggles with the cousins...
And the seesters...
who just love and adore their Papi.
We made some wonderful memories that week, and I loved so much having everyone around.
I'm not sure if the kids were excited...
Maybe a little.
Violet, an official Fourth Grader now...!
And Riley... officially a First Grader!!
Rock on my brotha.
BE AN ATHLETIC SUPPORTER!!
The class was so cute singing songs like "this little light of mine" and sharing what they wanted to be when they grew up.
Riley and his best friend Garrett want to open up a pet store together. Garrett went up first to tell the audience he wanted to be a Pet Store Owner. When it was Riley's turn, Riley didn't want people to think he was going into competition with him, so he said he was going to be a Pet Store Worker. :)
They decided their pet store was going to be called "Yo, Pets! What's up?" Since then, though, they have changed the idea of the Pet Store to a Zoo... and the Zoo would be called Two Bachelors Zoo because neither of them want to ever marry gross girls. haaaaa
Here's Riley with Mrs. Viana, his most favorite kindergarten teacher!
YEAH! KINDERGARTEN IS OVER!!!! WOOHOOO!!!
This is her giving orders as the Captain...
And this was her singing her heart out while practicing for her performance...
And then she was reminding me to get to the stage EARLY so I could get a good seat...
Violet is the second sailor from the left...
Of course, she was the most animated. :)
AND the sassiest. :)
I let her wear makeup for the stage... here she is after the show. Well Done, Violet!!
We had ice cream. :)
Violet and Riley have really grown into being great friends.
They are fiercely protective of one another... they have all sorts of inside jokes...
And they REALLY know how to make each other laugh.
I love watching their relationship. Even when they bicker and argue, it's all but completely forgotten within ten minutes and they are back to laughing again. :)
I love that about their relationship. I don't want it to ever change. :)