Closing Out July

Where to begin?

Let's start with our whirlwind trip to Little Rock for the annual denominational convention, which included youth competition in areas such as music, art, drama, and multiple Bible categories. Rory competed in a children's choir and individual drama. Camden competed in Bible memorization and vocal solo. Becky and her boys (along with a large group from her church) were present and competed in many categories. We spent 2 days running back and forth between competition rooms. Our hotel rooms were miraculously side by side. I have no idea how that happened, but it was awfully convenient!

I'm not sure how we missed taking a picture, but we did - only a quick (but cute) one of the cousins.

Brian is officially not a teacher, is a full-time pastor, and is a bus driver after passing his test Friday. The county's previous record was 21 days of training, but Brian completed it in a mere 17 days. This was not an easy process, and I am so proud of how hard Brian worked. These training weeks coincided with some of our busiest weeks of the summer but there was nothing to do but press forward.

A family friend took Camden for sushi Wednesday and he downed 32 pieces. Our friend ate 54 so 32 seems downright amateurish. ;)

Camden purchased a PS4 and is having himself a blast breaking it in. Our family screen guidelines have been as follows for the summer: 1 hour per kid plus an episode of The Flash (finding something they both enjoy and is age-appropriate was not easy, but The Flash has been a huge hit). If we have activities planned outside of the house, their screen time goes down to 30 minutes. Friday nights they have free rein until 10:00. I can feel good about this amount of time and putting a schedule in place at the beginning of the summer cuts out all the nagging (parents) and begging for more time (kids). Mostly.

My mom, sister Liz, and I had ourselves a little girls day Friday to celebrate/mourn (depending on your perspective) the end of summer. The kids start school tomorrow, which is ridiculous since it is only August 1. We visited a friend's cute little shop, had coffee, of course, made a Trader Joe's trip, and ate pizza. It was quick and all we could manage, but provided some kid-free time to chat.

My dad took Camden, Rory and Addison to supper and a rodeo Saturday. Brian and I had hoped for a movie date night, but Movie Pass failed us and we ended up renting a movie and running errands. For long-time readers, remember Camden's early birthday celebrations with matching cowboy hats (Camden and Grandpa)? This is the same rodeo, except Camden is now taller than Grandpa.

A back-to-school miracle - I found khaki pants in a 28/34 for Camden. This size is so insanely hard to find! With one day to spare before school started, JCP ensured Camden wouldn't embarrass himself with high waters from last year.

Our schedule in the upcoming weeks makes me want to lock myself in the bedroom and cry. Working from home several days in the coming weeks will save the day.

Goodbye, July.