She was thankful to have a buddy doing swim team with her!

My fierce competitor!

She even got swimmer of the week! yay!

Proud of my swimmer for putting in the hard work this summer!

Go Samantha and go MBC Magic!

and then finally went back to Andrews. I was afraid they were going to tell me my meniscus was torn again but, nope! Just arthritis! They pulled a ton of fluid out of my knee and gave me a steroid injection and I was good as new. Thank goodness! Lots of cardio crowns this summer…

Also had some birthday crowns!

Of course my tennis princess was out there sometimes too!

Love love!

These girls played awesome and won! Hooray!

We then grabbed breakfast and then did a little shopping – Samantha’s favorite part of soccer tournaments! ha!

Our second game was at 12:30 and it was approximately 153 degrees outside! SOOOOO hot. The girls played so hard but we ended up losing 1-2 with a last second goal scored by the other team. Bummer. We then hit up the hotel pool and went out for mexican so all was not lost!

We were back at the field bright and early for an 8am rematch against the same team and unfortunately couldn’t pull out the win.

But that did mean we got to head on back to Birmingham which we were very glad for. Starbucks stop required!

Excited to watch this soccer star play!

The boys went to Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor with the church…

They had fun and I have no comment about the full body tattoos!

Spencer set up his locker…

and Samantha did a baking camp!

It’s been a long first week and we’re ready for the weekend. I wish I could say it will be restful but soccer tournament here we come!

I got to see Samantha during the day when I took cookies to her grade while they got their picture made. Perks of being the 6th Grade Committee Chair!

I didn’t see Spencer until 8pm that night after school, football and scouts! He had a very long day but was in good spirits and pretty chatty when I finally saw him. Love that kid.

I think a great start is indicative of a great year!

Maxwell is at the High School in 10th grade. He got dropped off at Jack’s house early so they could ride together…

Spencer is at the Junior High in 8th grade…

and Samantha is a “senior” at MBE in 6th grade…

I pulled up her first first day at MBE to compare to her last first day at MBE and just about died…

She’s so cute I can’t stand it and her outfit matches K to 6th!

I know it’s going to be a great year for these three…

Let’s goooo!

Then she got on her cute fit to go meet her teacher…

and to set up the lemonade stand with Emma! When you have our prime location, you have to answer when opportunity knocks!

Unfortunately the school also had an ice cream truck out there which brought some stiff competition. They still came out with a little chunk of change…some of which they promptly spent on the ice cream truck! ha!

So long, summer. You’ll be missed.

Do you ever miss something before it’s actually really gone? That’s how I feel about this summer. Time is flying too fast and I don’t want these golden days to end. But, back to school we go. Begrudgingly.

Wales’s project – pullup bars at the high school…

Jack’s project – a platform at the Lovelady Center…

and Gray’s project – a shed for Oak Tree Ministries…

and Jude’s project – a little library for the elementary school…

Really good kids making great choices – that’s all you can ask for in your kid’s friends. Proud of each and every one of them!

Been a big summer for Maxwell!