Summer end...

Not unlike other families, the Craft crew creates a summer bucket list and often neglects that list until we realize there's only a few weeks left before school starts. We didn't make a physical list this year but it came together more through conversation and traditions, and per usual, we are not going to get it all done. But we are going to have fun trying! 

Thanks to Matt, we got ourselves to one of the last Waterloo Bucks baseball games of the season. Kate and Maddie were selected to participate in a cornhole challenge between innings. They tied at zero - zero. Both girls were a wee bit embarrassed by that but they both walked away with coupons for a free appetizer to a restaurant we honestly will never visit because it's not near us. But they had fun in the process.

In fairly typical Maddie fashion, she expressed her distaste for baseball to me through the first six innings and then when I was going to take home anyone ready to go, she chose to stay with Matt. Insert eye roll here. 

Many years ago a group of young moms, including myself, started meeting once a week at church to connect and converse. As our kids aged and some started going back to work we didn't see much of each other. For a few years we took a summer weekend trip but that hasn't happened in a couple of years so we instead opted for a day away. While some ladies are missing from this photo, the core group is all together in one spot for lots of laughs.

The photo below is going to need some explaining. On the left is my sister, Lindsay, who is taller than me. On the right is CJ who is somehow, at 13 years old, taller than Lindsay. Shortly after this photo, CJ had a school sports physical and, with shoes on, measured in at 5'11". She is very proud.

This photo was also snapped at my parents house while we were there to celebrate my mom's birthday. Happy birthday, Mom!

One day the girls and I decided to play a game of Monopoly and it led to endless games between Kate, Natalie, Maddie and me. We all scored a win here or there but the photo below is Natalie gloating over a huge win over me.

This photo may feel random but this guy has been a constant sources of both entertainment and frustration around here. He is curious, playful and naughty getting into places he shouldn't, eating things he shouldn't, and generally just living his best life. He makes life sparky and we love Rocket...99.8% of the time.

This past Friday was the last day for the pool in La Porte. Insert all of the crying emojis. This household despises the end of summer...well maybe not Matt so much since he runs hot and likes cooler temps. We are all about traditions here so in that spirit we made our way to the pool despite the cool temperatures outside so that we could be the very last people with a toe in the water come closing time. First ones in, last ones out. It's always the goal.

Hurrah to summer! We spent the last two summers between hospitals, appointments and lengthy stays in Rochester at Mayo. We thoroughly enjoyed having a summer with very minimal trips and Kate was particularly happy to avoid another summer of radiation. Let's make staying home for the summer (or at least away from hospitals) our new forever tradition. So long summer 2023!