This summer has been a little bit more nuts than usual. We traveled so much in June, and we still have one more trip to take. But the boys and I have still been able to do some of our normal summer things as well. Here's what we've been up to between trips!
We visited the library a couple of times and checked out bunches of books. Riley is killing his summer reading requirement. He had to read and log a total of 250 minutes; he's currently pushing 600. And Rory crushed his goal of 15 books, read all on his own. They are also deep into their summer workbooks. Once again, Rory is loving it and Riley is complaining. No surprise there. But they're both on track to finish their workbooks before school, which is great.
We have been to Tutti Frutti a couple of times, once by ourselves and once to meet Ms. Paulin. Cole and Mary Jane unexpectedly showed up and joined the party.
We shopped for school uniforms (pants and a new mass shirt for Riley only; Rory gets to wear all of Riley's old stuff!), spent Riley's Baskin Robbins gift card from Mrs. Mouney and Rory's Casey's gift certificate from Mrs. Allison and Mrs. Ceci, saw Toy Story 4 and went bike riding with our friends, and had a very late group dinner at Reginelli's.
We learned a new board game (UNO Wild Tiles, one of Kenny's favorites), played at Kate and Luke's house (Riley made a Magic Tracks set up on Aunt E's kitchen counter), and received surprise mail from Claire while she was away at Camp Abbey for the first time.
We also took our annual trip to Bay St. Louis with our college friends. Unfortunately, it was scheduled over the same weekend that our annual family beach trip to Pensacola began. However, we made both work as best we could. The four of us drove over to BSL on Friday evening. Then Uncle Jeff stopped to get me and Rory on Saturday morning, while Kenny and Riley stayed one more night and joined us in Florida on Sunday afternoon. Riley just had to spend as much time as possible with Jackson.
Lots more summer fun to tell y'all about, but there are only 3 more weeks left until school starts!!!
While Kenny and I were living it up in paradise, Riley and Rory were having a pretty good time back home as well. They started off staying with Nola and Nopsi for 4 nights. They built a huge fort in their living room (and slept in it), had a sleepover with Kate and Luke, took a boat ride, went to see The Secret Life of Pets 2, and did lots of coloring, swimming, and popsicle-eating.
Then on Sunday, Grandma and Grandpa came to pick them up and take them to the Northshore for 6 nights. It just so happened that the vacation bible school at their church took place June 10-14. After LOVING it last year, Riley of course wanted to go again. And this year Rory was old enough to attend as well. So even though Kenny and I got home late on Monday night, we didn't see the boys until the following Saturday. They were way too busy with VBS and having fun at Grandma and Grandpa's house.
Riley said he didn't like it quite as much as last year (volunteer Grandma agreed with his assessment), but that he was still glad he went and wants to go again next year. Rory had nothing to compare it to but said he had fun and that he would do it again. Kenny and I were so excited to see them finally after 10 days apart!
I like that they're branching out and doing things slightly out of their comfort zone They didn't know anyone else at VBS except Grandma, although Riley did have the same teachers as last year and some of the kids in his group were the same. I'm hoping VBS is a {small} stepping stone to sleep away camp!
Kenny and I arrived back at the Excellence after our fun excursion around 4pm. Most of the group was gathered around the pool; some of the guys were involved in a game of water volleyball. So we changed into our suits and then joined our friends. We had some catching up to do!
(Oh, and this was also the day that Tim and Meghana finally made it to paradise. Tim made a friend in the lobby shortly after they got there. There was actually a whole wildlife park area in the front of the property. Parrots, flamingos, fish, turtles, and even an iguana were spotted!)
We went to dinner that night at the Grill, which ended up being our favorite restaurant. Such a good steak. And we took in both the main show (Burlesque) and the post-show (karaoke) and even went to check out the dance club before finally calling it a night. What a day.
The next day, some of the group split up, with a handful of the guys going fishing and a few of the girls treating ourselves to the spa. The fishermen had a decent morning, catching a couple of fish (one mahi mahi and one wahoo).
And Ashley, Kelli, and I thoroughly enjoyed our relaxation time. Ashley went earlier in the day, but Kelli and I snagged the last two afternoon spots. Every treatment came with a complimentary guided hydrotherapy circuit, which was very interesting. It started out less than desirable (two saunas, ice room, cold shower) but ended up being great (whirlpool, water massage, scalp and face massage). I was glad we did it, even though some of it was bordering on torturous. My massage was also wonderful. So worth it.
We all came back together on the beach late that afternoon. Kenny and Adam were alternating between throwing a ball and listening to the LSU baseball game on one of their phones (they lost, and again the next day). But we were all driven inside by the small rainstorm that decided to move through. Very unfortunate timing: that evening was supposed to be "Dominican Night," a huge outdoor party, complete with local food, music, and dancing. But it was cancelled on account of the weather.
Kenny and I decided to have a little date night, so we went to Chez Isabelle, the French restaurant, for dinner. Everything was so good there; we really enjoyed it. We also marveled at the gigantic pepper grinder the waiters were using.
After dinner, we met up with everyone else at the Sports Bar. We collectively decided to bag the show (Broadway) and just hang out inside instead. It was such a good decision; we had the best time. Bridget and Kelli were especially entertaining this night.
The next day was our last full day. And also Steve's birthday. Kenny and I had breakfast at the Kitchen Table again then walked to the shops to find something for the boys (t-shirts). Then we went with Bridget and Brian to explore the games area, which consisted of tennis and basketball courts, ping pong tables, darts, air rifles, and archery, before settling in at the beach.
The guys threw the Frisbee for a while, I had to tell my bartender friend Kendry that it was my last day, and we ate our last lunch at one of my favorite spots, a table at Las Olas right by the water. Then we closed out the day near the swim-up bar in the pool. (Ashley and Greg's room was right across from it!)
We showered and dressed quickly because our plan for the last night included two dinners: one for lobster (and yummy coconut shrimp) at the other outdoor restaurant and one for another steak at the Grill. We definitely got our money's worth! We ended up back at the Sports Bar again (skipping the Circus Dreams show), and everyone was well aware that we flew home the next day. Sad, but true.
Kenny and I had one last breakfast at the Kitchen Table the next morning (as did Adam and Erin), and then we were all of sudden boarding our return transfer back to the airport. Ashley and Greg, Steve and Kelli, and Danny and Becky were all on our same flights home. We flew through Baltimore and arrived back in NOLA late Monday night.
This 40th birthday trip was a long time coming, but I'm so very glad it worked out. How many times can you say you've traveled out of the country with your husband and 27 of your closest friends? Pretty epic.
And we actually didn't see the boys until the Saturday after we got home. They were off having a fun week of their own!
