The Vance's

beach, soccer, swim, repeat.

>> August 15, 2018

We are in the transition of packing in all the summer fun we can manage, beginning fall sports and finishing up summer sports. It's a whirlwind some days keeping all the beach bags, soccer equipment, swim towels and snacks stocked and ready but this season, while busy, is just so fun. Lucy started soccer practice and gets to play on the same team as last year. These girls are such great friends and a few have played together for 4 years now!

We finished up Simon's last few games of t-ball and it's safe to say he loved his first season. He had a great coach who really let the kids have fun, even if they weren't playing exactly correct. Because, let's be honest, herding a team of 3-4 year olds on a hot, dusty field can only get you so far.

Now that Matt's offices have moved closer to home (hurray!!) we were able to squeeze in a lunch date last week too! I absolutely love that his commute has now been cut in half and the kids love the extra time at night they get to spend with him. Of course, all that fun at lunch made for a sleepy boy. Another couch nap for Simon...aka...his summer sleeping spot.

While at lunch Lucy lost another tooth! She has a huge gap in her smile and it couldn't be any cuter.

The next morning we continued with a day of dates. But first...breakfast. I love when I can make a big family breakfast and we all sit down together to talk about the day. One of our favorites is buttermilk banana pancakes topped with creamy nut butter and a drizzle of maple syrup. The kids gobble these up so I always triple the batch to save the extras in the freezer for a quick weekday breakfast.

Then Carter and I went out on a date. We try to have date days with the kids at least once a month. They look forward to the one-on-one time and we really find it's a good way to get them talking about whatever is on their mind. It's usually something simple and easy but always fun. Carter chose a walk around Greenlake followed by a visit to the bookstore and then some froyo for a special treat!

He asked me to squeeze in next to him on this chair so we could read football history books together (seriously, he reads chapter books about old Superbowls, sports trivia and quarterback biographies now!). I love that he still wants to cuddle up. Luckily there was another comfy chair nearby so we didn't have to completely squish each other while we read!

Then we headed home so Lucy and Matt could go out. She chose pedicures and then an afternoon donut. This girl loves sugar, probably a bit too much!

And finally....a date night out for Matt and I! We hadn't planned on going out but our favorite babysitter was moving to go away to school so we wanted to squeeze in one last night to have her over. The kids already miss her terribly and we are so sad to see her go. I whipped up a quick and easy picnic dinner for the kids so they could spend as much time as possible playing outside with Morgan.

Then we went to our first official wine dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants. We were easily the youngest couple there by a good 30 years but still had fun meeting the winemaker, enjoying the food pairings and hearing more about the difference in wine selections.

After a fun, fancy dinner out we came back to reality and geared up for another week of swimming, beach trips and more soccer.

And what are we doing today? Of course another beach trip! And then soccer. And then the kids' last swim lesson of the summer!

sleepy simon.

>> August 4, 2018

When your trying to keep up with the big kids but your little body still needs to rest.....Simon has now mastered the afternoon couch nap!

Love this sweet, sleepy boy!

lake day.

>> August 1, 2018

Yesterday might have been the highlight of our summer. We were invited up to a friends cabin on a nearby lake to spend the day on their boat. The kids got to inner tube, swim, play and jump off a rope swing into the lake. It was so much fun!

They wasted no time getting in the water once we got there. 5 kids between the ages of 3 and 8 and they all played so well together. The sun was shining, we had lots of delicious snacks and played outside for over 7 hours straight.

Once in the boat the kids took turns on the inner tube. Simon wasn't so sure about riding around in it so he stayed on the boat all day but the other kids? Crazy daredevils! They begged to go faster and faster and eventually Carter flew out 4 times. Ha!

We headed over to the rope swing so they could play in the water. It took a few tries but they all finally got the hang of it and figured out the timing of when to fall in.

My friend Laura was so generous to invite us up. Her daughter and Lucy were in kindergarten together and quickly became friends. They have the sweetest family and we felt so lucky to spend the day with them.

All that boating tired Simon out. While the big kids were screaming with excitement in the inner tube Simon crashed for an afternoon nap.

After a long day of playing in the water we all headed to dinner together at a local diner. The most delicious burgers, fries and milkshakes around! We didn't get home until after 8:30pm (much later than the kids usual bedtime!) but it was worth it for such a fun day. The kids crashed in bed and are still asleep (thank goodness!). Easily a favorite summer memory. Can't wait to do it again!

golf skating.

I'm pretty sure I say it about 4957584 times each year but truly, I really really love summer. Even though it's been unseasonably hot for such a long stretch (no a/c in the house makes for pretty uncomfortable sleeping conditions!) it's so nice to be outside, running around and spending time together.

The kids had asked to go roller skating sometime this summer so we combined it with a trip down south for a combo putt putt/roller skating adventure.

Since it was forecasted to be in the 90s that day we started with putt putt. Thank goodness the course had misters strategically placed throughout the course to help cool us down! Despite the heat we all had fun and Lucy even scored a hold in one!

I've been so proud of the kids lately when they try new things. They don't give up, quit or complain if they aren't doing well. Instead, they just keep trying and stick with it. Love that attitude!
We found a shady piece of grass nearby and stopped to eat a picnic lunch before heading over to the roller rink.

Simon took full advantage of the grassy hill and laid back to relax while he ate. Ha!

Once inside the rink we spent 15 minutes getting everyone's skates on! Then another 5 teaching them how to just stand up without falling down. I grew up skating at this rink, took lessons here and now a friend from high school and her husband own the rink and surrounding property. It was really fun to bring the kids back to a place I so vividly remember as a kid. They loved hearing stories of old birthday parties I went to and songs that were played while we skated.

And then we skated! Well, sort of. We walked/marched/fell/slid/pushed/glided around the rink a few times before opting to share a walker. Lucy and Carter did great and Simon preferred we just hold him between our legs and help him roll around.

The kids had fun even though it wasn't the easiest thing to figure out. There's nothing more humbling than putting on a pair of roller skates in your mid 30s and teaching 3 kids how to skate as we all awkwardly slide around. After 1.5 hours we were ready for a snack. And, Happy Donuts was the perfect choice!