last lazy week of summer

*This is our last "no-plans" week of summer and I'm SOO sad. We have a vacation planned next week with Chris' family which we are looking forward to, however I have adored the past few weeks of blank slate days with the kids. They are such fun companions. :)

*New episodes of The Good Witch recently came to Netflix and Kendall and I have been loving watching them together. They are basically Hallmark movies stretched out into a series. I love how clean they are...like, unusually clean and appropriate, which is so rare nowadays. Plus, I always like any show that is set in a cute, small town.

*We went to the beach last week with my mom. We sat and chatted while the kids played. The beach isn't my favorite of outings, but I always make sure we go at least once since the kids love it so much.

*The kids indulged me in a Costco trip this week. I found a shirt for $4.97, which made the trip that much better!

Our typical routine consists of the kids accompanying me for the first half of the shopping, thereby obtaining all the samples. Then, I'll get to browse a little more while they head to the book section, where I'll pick them up before checkout. 

*Yesterday we went to Therman Flats with some friends. I always take for granted having places in the mountains like this that are so close to home.

*Somehow it aligned to where both kids had sleepovers last night. Chris and I got to go out and chose a new restaurant in Yucaipa (Toscano's). It was really good and I'm proud of us for branching out. We always tend to go to our same places. ;)

 

more summer stuff

*The 4th of July was very low key and so much fun this year. We started out watching a short little parade with some friends.

We next walked across the street to a park where they had food booths, a patriotic band, etc.

Later my parents came over for a BBQ dinner and fireworks. Rather than go to a show, we sat outside our house and had a nice view of some Beaumont city fireworks. Chris brought out his blue tooth speaker and played patriotic music, which made it so fun. :)

*Saturday was another ride with our cycling club. My dad was unable to go due to a recent eye procedure, but he showed up to see us off and was there when we returned (and treated me to an iced latte, which has become what I always crave after our long rides).

*A few days ago we biked to Panera Bread for breakfast, then across the street we stopped at Hobby Lobby to get a craft kit Kendall had been wanting.

*Yesterday we visited Jen and her family in the desert. They were staying for a week and invited us to their hotel to swim. The kids had a blast and it's always fun for Jen and I to hang out.

*This morning we took a walk up the road to a local bakery. The kids raved and raved about the coffee cake, which had a crumb topping almost an inch thick. :)

*Bachelorette pick: Peter

*The kids and I finished the first Hunger Games book and movie. They are hooked!

more summer stuff

*Toward the end of the school year the kids made a bucket list with a few things for the summer. One of those things included visiting the McDonald's museum in San Bernardino. It was a cute little place, mainly consisting of happy meal toys from throughout the years. It wasn't super fascinating, but a fun outing none the less.

*Whenever we head home from Reno, we always stop for a night at Chris' parents. On this most recent visit, his mom made what is now among my top three favorite chocolate cakes ever. I brought home some to my parents, who also gave it a 10!

Triple Chocolate Ooey Gooey Butter Cake

*This summer I wanted another book to read to the kids. We finished the Harry Potter series a long time ago and I missed our reading times. We are almost done with the first book in the Hunger Game series. I had read it before and thought they would like it. They LOVE it and often want me to keep reading!

*A couple nights ago we treated the kids to a night out in the desert for a quick mini vacation. It was a short, but super fun time.

After Chris introduced the kids to Krispy Kreme a few weeks back, they were dead set on having it for breakfast (since the desert is the closest location to us). Here we are on our balcony.

*The kids and I just finished watching A Case For Christ. It was excellent. I paused it throughout, explaining a few things as we went along. It did a great job of clearly identifying the main character's skepticism about Christianity, and then how it was resolved.

*Last week we went to Piology for dinner. When we were done eating, we booted the kids outside so Chris and I could get some nice, non-kid-interrupted time to talk. They didn't seem to mind. :)

*I took Cam to get a professional bike fitting. He also is now clipping into his pedals and loves the increase in speed as a result. We have a big ride this weekend, so I'm making him practice a lot as clipping into pedals can be quite tricky to get the hang of.