I left UT very early on Monday morning but, with the time difference, arrived back at our house around 4:30pm. While I was away, the kids and Penni had a great pool day. Though I hear the pool is still freezing and our wet suits are probably a good idea in the future.

Nice and uncrowded on a weekday!

Back home to my loves!! I brought them each some UT honey plus a gift for everyone. (Because Steven told me that I have to bring home presents if I’m gone for 3 nights or more. Fair enough.)

I bought Steven a puzzle and got this sweet text from him the next morning. ❤️

Amaya had swim on Tuesday and graduated to level 7!! Way to go, Amaya!

After swim, it was off to the lake. I haven’t been to the lake with the kids this summer (or last!). I’ll have to make a point to go with Steven, Sammy and Amaya before summer is through.

This week each of the kids picked a recipe to make with Penni or Lindsay. Amaya made her pineapple & ham dish (with bacon instead of ham). Steven picked out this meatball dish.

On Wednesday the boys had a make-up swim lesson. (With another lesson on Thursday!) Afterward it was a quick stop at the optometrist to pick up Steven’s glasses.

This was the meal Sammy made with Lindsay. She said it looked gourmet and that he helped with almost everything! Looks fantastic to me!

On Thursday the kids spent time at a playground and then visited the library for books of the week.

Amaya borrowed a face painting book and Lindsay turned her into a softball. 🙂

Evening shows with Steven…

He did my hair for me 🙂

On Friday Penni had a vacation day so Lindsay came for the full day. It was a treat for the kids to get extra Lindsay time. She took them to The Bees Knees to do pottery. Then to Starbucks for hot chocolate (where they wanted to sit like they’re “mature”), and then to a park. A full, fun day!

Sammy painted a dragon

Amaya painted a pig

Steven painted a sandwhich

Mature lol

Some field!

Amaya loves sweet Sally. All the kids do. I can’t believe she’ll be 17 years old next month. Good thing she’s immortal.

This morning, Amaya got a new summer look with some pink and blue in her hair. I think it looks great!

And I took Steven to the barber shop (JJ’s) for a clean up of his curls. Jason did a great job cutting the bottom part of Steven’s hair last weekend but Steven wouldn’t let him at the top. His hair needed some balance and he was also hoping they could shave the hot wheels logo in the side. Amaya joined us on the trip. Afterward we walked next door and got ice cream – for Sammy, too.

Jason and the kids played Monopoly this weekend. I’m pretty sure Jason won. Every time someone was out, Steven played the Imperial March from Star Wars.

Sammy wasn’t in the mood to swim today, but Steven, Amaya and I spent the day at the JCC pool. It was a hot day – perfect for swimming. We had an extra treat because their friend Ruxin, Ruxin’s mom and his brother Apollo joined us there for a couple of hours.

While Sammy hung out with his dad, we had a great day out in the sun.

Amaya passed the deep water test for the season.

She spent nearly 2 hours of our time there just going in a loop – jump off the diving board, climb out of the pool, get in line, jump off the diving board, climb out of the pool…and so on.

Steven really enjoyed watching everyone jump off the diving board.

Amaya, handling concession on her own.

Diving!! My friend Addie watched her video and gave her a few good tips to try next time: keep her arms pressed against her ears to keep her head down the whole time and keep her knees together to help keep her legs together and straight.

Great day!

That’s it for us! Have a great week!