End of the School Year.

I was counting down to the end of the school year since April. It was a long year for us! The last week of school was filled with award ceremonies and activities and kept us busy! 

The week kicked off with Megan earning an award from her history class. 

I had to work, but thankfully DJ was off for the week and was able to go! 

We are so proud of how she handled middle school and 6th grade! She was busy this year but she finished the year with As and Bs! 

Gretchen started high school this year, and finished the 4th 9 weeks with straight A's! Honestly, I don't even know what her grades were the rest of the year, but this girl never worries us about her grades. 

She earned an award for her advanced geometry class! 

Their awards were in the evening so we were both able to go and see her walk the stage. It's hard to imagine that in a few years she'll be walking across the stage to graduate. 

Adalyn had a classroom award ceremony on the 2nd to last day of school. It was in the morning and I rearranged my work schedule so I could go. 

She received the "storyteller" award and I'm not sure if it's because she actually tells fun, imaginative stories, or if it's because she "lies" 

While Adalyn loved school most days, we had a lot of problem with communication from her teachers and me asking for her to have help, and feeling like we were getting no where. She doesn't love reading and homework is hard all around. I became really frustrated with her teachers and it just made for a very long year.

However, she loved her classroom bearded dragon and asked for one for a pet serveral times. 

All smiles because the school year was over! 

 

Megan's 12th Luau!

Megan asked for a swim party this year to celebrate her 12th birthday! 

We waited until after school got out and after Memorial day weekend, invited a few friends from school and gymnastics and had the party at our neighborhood pool. 

I brought a table to set up the food and kept everything super simple! 

Plates, a few decorations, starfish gummies, and pizza! 

We also had leis, bubbles, bracelets, and swim toys as party favors. 

The birthday girl was ready to celebrate! 

We waited for her friends to arrive and ate pizza before everyone jumped in. 

Then we let the girls swim and play for a while before opening presents. 

Megan was super excited about her Target gift card, which she used to buy a backpack purse that she's been wanting. She also received spa stuff, a paint set, and more goodies! 

Then it was time for cupcakes. 

She's still scared of the fire from the candles! 

Friends!

I have to say this is probably the 2nd easiest birthday I've hosted. I just wanted to keep everything very simple and easy and it was! Megan was entertained with her friends and they had fun playing. After we served pizza, I was able to lay out and get some sun and supervise from the side. Parents just dropped off and picked up; we kept decorations minimal and it was a fun way to celebrate her turning 12! 

 

Goose Island State Park

At the end of May, we loaded up and took our 2nd camping trip of the year! How I would love to camp every weekend, but gosh, it's a lot of work, and we have a big 2 week camping trip coming up later this Summer! I'm pretty sure after that trip, I'll be ready to store the camper for a while! Ha!

DJ had to work on Memorial day, but had the week before off. Even though the girls were still in school, we opted to take them out a 1/2 day on Friday and head to Goose Island State Park. 

A mom, a dad, 3 girls, and their dog- all loaded up and ready to go! 

Gabs was the best little car rider. 

We made it to the state park which is right on the water and it is gorgeous! 

Once we got the camper unhooked and set up, we took off on a walk. 

You can't swim at this state park, because the shore is all sea shells and that would hurt! But, they did have kayaks for rent and we brought our paddle board and ended up not even getting it out. 

The pier had stairs leading in to the water and we had to warn the girls to not go any further, because Lord knows they would've headed right in! 

We walked the long pier and watched the fishermen fishing off the pier, which the girls thought was absolutely disgusting. 

This guy and the sunset <3

I had gone to the restroom and walked back to DJ sitting outside enjoying the wind, the sea, and relaxing. This is his happy spot. 

Before dinner, the girls were alll sitting outside with us, reading, and I thought this is why we camp. Because if were home it would be most likely that we would all be in separate rooms and not together. 

Perfection. 

DJ grilled burgers for dinner and afterwards, Megan showed me the stars she brought with her from home to decorate her bunk space! 

Gabby was so happy to be with us! She got sick on this trip, and we thought it was some water she had drank or that she had eaten a rock. 

Saturday morning we slept in and DJ cooked breakfast. While he was cooking, the girls and I played a few games!

We had bacon, eggs, toast, and fruit for breakfast and it was delicous! 

The mosquitoes were horrible on this trip, so we opted to eat breakfast inside! 

Then we drove over to Port A so we could swim. DJ said, "it looked closer on the map." and it ended up taking about an hour and a half to get over to the island since we had to take the ferry. But, it was DJ's and the girls first time on a fairy and while the girls were scared, it was over in about 5 minutes!

Gabby had to check it out too!

We were parked in the back of the ferry right by it's side so the girls had a good view too! 

Once we drove off the ferry, we drove another 15 minutes to the beach, and the girls were beyond ready to play! 

Gretchen took Gabby off for a run. 

And Adalyn tried to teach her how to boogie board in the water. 

The girls tossed the football around with DJ. 

And I read a book. 

We stayed at the beach until around 4 or 5. Then we drove over to see the "big tree" that is near the state park. It's one of the largest trees in Texas! 

The flowers were gorgeous but the mosquitoes were terrible!

Once we got back to the campground, DJ cooked steak for dinner. We ate inside, again, and then we made s'mores while being eaten alive by mosquitos. 

Thankfully the s'mores were delicious!

It was a fun weekend camping! I'm always thankful when we're able to get away together.