We were missing us some Sarah and Jonathan--so we decided to get everyone together for a quick play date! The girls and missed out on the obetz splash pad at one point (Sarah took them but it was closed) so we decided to try it out.
Even though it was overcast and chilly to start, the sun started to come out and we enjoyed a picnic lunch under the shelter. It was great to see Sarah and Jonathan and the girls enjoyed seeing their friends too :)
Amara had decided she wanted to try out golf camp at the Foxfire 6-week clinic this year and really took to it. The first day, I didn't stay--but by the 2nd week, she was making contact and loving it!
The instructors were great! the kids rotated through stations and Amara's competitive spirit kept her pushing herself and challenging the other kids as well, even though she was on the young-side for the overall event.
She finished the round with putts. First 3ft, then 5, then 10. She made at least 2 of the 3-footers I saw, and not sure about the longer ones, but she was home practicing later that day for sure!
This year, we invited friends to go with us, and we had a GREAT time.
Cora was big enough to ride a lot more rides than in the past, and Amara and Haylee could ride all the rides by themselves :( Eric still had to ride on a few with Cora, which I think they both preferred.
The kids enjoyed 2 rounds of GIANT shaved ice as well as some fries and a burger--nothing crazy and Cora played one game and we left with ZERO giant stuffed animals (score one for mom!)
We stayed almost 3 hours and got to ride a ton before it started getting busy. The weather was PERFECT--couldn't have asked for a better night.
Best part is, we will see them again TWICE tomorrow, back for the parade and then again at their house for fireworks!! Great time!
Brandy, Nevon and Haylee went with us and we got a great spot on the corner, 50 ft. from our car. We had our blankets and candy buckets (of which Cora's was a hat) and then we waited. We weren't early in the route, so it took a little bit, but the girls really enjoyed it.
The Hortons swung through for a whirlwind visit right before the 4th of July for a night and we were thrilled to have them! They were headed up north, but flew into Columbus for a night and the kids were stoked for the visit!
The kids played on the inflatable slide/ pool, had a bonfire, and played outside. 
The next morning it was all about chasing frogs--and they had a blast! We put them in a mason jar and the kids were all caring for them.
A break was called for and they all piled in to the living room together before lunch.
And then got ready to go, to run out to Hills. We enjoyed every second of their quick visit and can't wait to see them the next time :) 
My birthday was a great day all around, starting with breakfast! Eric spoiled me by making (from scratch) sausage biscuits and gravy, and strawberry puree champagne to go with it, yum!! the girls had NO problem helping me with that :)
Next we went down to the barn to play in the sprinklers and sand tables a bit--it was really the first time we had a chance to play outside since Amara's party--with the vacation and all. It was hot, but fun!
After naps, I got a surprise delivery from mom--and edible arrangements delivery for us to share! She was at the beach herself, but sent us a treat from her. The girls were thrilled to share it as soon as I let them!
And dinner was at Larry's in Mt. Sterling with dad. I got to have a beer and pizza with the 2 most important men in my life and my girls. We had a great time and the girls rode in the truck with Grandpa, always a treat.
We finally made it there though--to recreations outlet and the girls were excited to see Uncle Matt and Aunt Steph and the rest of the family too.
Amara took to Addison, whom she doesn't remember, but she used to see at her little gym class years ago and Cora was climbing and sliding so fast, she barely had time to high-five anyone before moving to the next activity.
Cora found a spot next to Aunt Lisa, who she buddied right next to during her breaks ;) We had a great time at Coulter's batman themed party and enjoyed seeing family and friends--i'm sure everyone will rest well after all the craziness!
Amara was especially excited to go--she had helped Melissa on several projects recently, so she was ready the morning it was happening, even though we had a party later.
We were surprised when we got there to see that they even had cookies to frost and decorate for the girls before we got started with the "fun part!"
Cora was happy to decorate though, then moved on to her flowers--she picked lots of purples and a rose and Eric added a mum for her too. She picked out a purple ribbon to wrap around the vase to finish it off. Amara took a little more time with hers, strategically picking her flowers and taking the time to carefully place each one.
When they were done, they each took turns visiting the walk-in cooler :) Then they surprised me with roses as an early birthday present, which was a great surprise and so cute for daddy to arrange :)
Amara and I had picked up a packet of sunflowers back in the early spring while shopping. We always had intentions of planting, but didn't want to do it before Hilton Head and have them die, so we finally got around to planting. We used TP rolls for our starters and the girls got the soil with daddy's help, into our 'pots' and I taped the bottoms shut.
A tiny seed went carefully into each pot. Amara was particularly fond of sorting the seeds for her sister,
while Cora's favorite part was getting the seed into the container, then covered up with more dirt and soundly in its place.
We did maybe a dozen and a half or two dozen seedlings in our packets. We will see how this one goes before we start anything else, but the girls really enjoyed the surprise of coming home and planting with me and it will be awesome if we can actually grow some things together--since the strawberries have been such a success!
.JPG)
