July Fun - so far

I love summertime:

 not worrying about getting kids to bed on time - no homework - lazy beach days - sand in the car - no school projects - the family room floor filled with building projects - matinee movies (yeah Harry Potter!) - going to Target and Vons together - craft projects covering both the breakfast table and dining room table - bike rides - baking together  . . . . 

I didn't sign the kids up for lots of activities this year and it's been great.  And fun.  And relaxed.   We've actually even had some birthday parties this year (something we haven't done in a long time).  

Banana turned 14 and invited some friends to an indoor play center.  She was so happy!

She made some adorable cupcakes to take to the party.  

And she had a good laugh when her mom absentmindedly told her to just add some red food coloring to the green frosting to make purple  (just one more reason why I should never homeschool my children)

Big also turned 10 this month.  We went with friends to a Pirate Dinner Show.  The kids loved it!  I can't believe he's already 10.  

We also all went to Boy Scout Day Camp.  Big LIVED for the times when they could shoot the BB guns.   Big went as a camper, but the older girls went as volunteer helpers.  I thought it was important for them to do some service this summer and signed them up for three days without asking.   They didn't complain and actually had a good time.  Banana even went for one extra day on her own.  
It's already the middle of July and summer is just going way too quickly.  We still have some fun left, but I am not anxious for mid-August to come around!