Summer Play Dates

Yesterday was officially the first day of fall...and the problem is I still have a bunch of unposted summer photos. So guess what you'll get for the next few posts!?!?

With school out and so much free time available, we spent a good portion of our summer having play dates. We didn't get to have nearly as many as we'd hoped for or even planned to (there's so many people we love but so little time!); however, we did get quite a few days in with our some of our favorite peeps.

In June, we started things rolling with a Skyline Caverns outing...but we didn't actually go inside the cave. The purpose of this little adventure was a ride on their miniature train, which we hadn't done since Caleb's third birthday party two years prior. We had some good company as well. Stacey, Anabella, and Dan usually visited Granny once a week this summer, so we planned this special treat for the kids one day when we could all do it together.

Look at these buddies who paired up as soon as we hopped out of the car.

Race you to the train!

Always loving on each other

Toot toot!

Reid has been all about Thomas lately so I thought he'd be thrilled, but he was a mellow little boy instead.

We were surprised to find that the driver of the train was one our distant Vaught cousins - Becca.

Hadley and Anabella screamed most of the way...driving Stacey and I a little batty with their typical girl-shrieking ways. Ladies, we are on a train not a roller coaster! :)

Another June day, Caleb got together with his best friend Chase. These two boys met in preschool and grew to be best buds...and I have to say I think they both have good taste in friends. I also love Chase's mom Tressa, who is one of the sweetest ladies you'd ever want to meet. Setting up a playdate for the boys gives me a good excuse just to get a little grown-up time chatting with her. Chase's sister, Faith, is a good playmate for Hadley too despite being three years older than my girl. Reid didn't have a partner in crime, but at least the others play pretty well with him it anyway. It's the perfect match up all the way around. 

That particular day, we just spent several hours playing at our house and getting caught up with one another.

In July, we had a little spur of the moment playdate with Hannah and my friend Melanie at the library. Hannah and Anabella are Hadley's best friends, and she loves any amount of time we can spend with either of them. Melanie and I are a good match too. She always provides a great listening ear and godly advice. Sometimes we get to see each other regularly and other times we go a few weeks or even a month, but every time we get together there's no warming up needed, just like family. Melanie's the type of gal I can call at the last minute for a play date or even for a little help with the kids when I'm sick or in a bind - here she comes. That was the case this particular day when I messaged her early that morning to see if she'd like to join us for a little play time out of the house.

Not too long after that, Melanie had a job interview so we got to keep Hannah for a few hours and play with her some more.

Next came another play date with Chase's family - well a movie date actually. A local theater does matinees for a buck, featuring older releases including some of the classics. Mom and I took the kids to watch Despicable Me early in the summer, but this time we watched Charlotte's Web (the modern remake version).

Finally, we rounded out July with another day with the Credles. Caleb was struggling with being overtired as a result of his sleep apnea, so he ended up staying with my mom and missing this get together which disappointed Dan. But, in the end that meant Reid got extra attention from his big cousin, so some good came out of it too.

First, we went to Chick Fil A for their annual cow appreciation day. If you dress up like a cow, you're reward with a FREE combo or happy meal. Stacey and I were all about it - as we usually are with this type of thing! (I think my dear cousin even went again for supper!)

MOOOO!

Afterwards, we went back to our cousins' community pool for an afternoon of swimming...our first trip to the pool all summer.

Reid loved Dan's googles. I think he looks like a little minion. :)

Dan and Anabella let us borrow their puddle jumpers which worked great. They even gave us one to keep since they already have learned how to swim thanks to spending so much time in the water.

When August rolled around, we had to slide in a couple more opportunities to get together with Dan and Bell, especially since they'd be starting Kindergarten in the fall and we wouldn't get to see them as frequently. Granny's is always a good spot to meet up!

Welcome to the beauty parlor!

Pedicures!

Anyone else need their nails done?

Yay! The boys are back together.

Poor Reid didn't have anyone to partner up with. The girls didn't want him around because of the paint, and the boys told him he couldn't play either because they didn't want him messing up their games. He has to just join in when they let him. Even if it means playing hair salon...Watch out, Anabella. He loves to use a hairbrush but isn't always the gentlest! Trust me, I've learned from experience!

Our last play date with these guys was once again in their neck of the woods. And, hooray, Caleb got to be a part of it this time!

And, remember when I mentioned above that Reid sometimes get's left out...well he does have a cousin to play with about his age named Colton who we don't always see as much as we'd like. One day at Granny's though, we just happened to be there at the same time. These two toddlers sure did enjoy one another.

See..told ya we got in quite a few. Now to find time to plan more this fall around school schedules, sports, music lessons, dance classes, etc...Shew!