Scenes of Summer

This summer has been pretty laid back with lots of little activities around Fort Worth rather than any big family trips or kids camps.  It has been the perfect way to spend the last few months as we wait for baby brother to join the family.  

Back in June, Anna went to Vacation Bible School for the first time and had a great experience.  Her cousins Marcus and Lucas and her friend Andrew also went, which made it more comfortable for her since it was not at the church we go to.  She still sings some of the songs and the other day when I mentioned I was worried about something she quoted a song and told me "mom, don't worry about anything, instead pray about everything". 

When Monsters University first came out, Brad really wanted to take the girls to see their first 3D movie.  We talked it up for a week and they were so excited to go.  Well, we have two sensitive little girls who aren't used to watching movies on the big screen.  They got scared by all the action and loud noises during the previews and then after the way they reacted when a dragon appeared about 10 minutes into the movie, we knew we couldn't stay.  We came home and watched a Tinkerbell movie and they were happy as could be. 

Anna's school was open for six weeks this summer and she went on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  It was nice to have that alone time with Haven since she will be a middle child soon.  In July, they learned about the United States, so on one of the last days had a Red, White and Blue Parade. 

We made it out to our favorite spot in Fort Worth, Burger's Lake and the girls loved it.  For the next week, Haven asked everyday if she could go swimming at Burger's Lake.  This is the closest we will get to sandy beaches this summer, so Brad and the girls built a sand castle.  Hopefully, we will get to go a couple more times this summer.

 One day we met up with all the Bruce cousins to paint pottery at a cute, reasonably priced little studio that Aunt Courtney found.  Two year olds and four year olds definitely have different approaches to painting pottery. :)  Afterwards, we ate lunch at Subway and were quite the scene with three moms (one who was very pregnant) and nine kids between us.  We got lots of stares and a few comments like "you've got a whole soccer team there".

 

 

 

We have been reading all summer and have taken advantage of the reading programs at Half-Price Books and Barnes and Nobles to get free books.  We have also been going to our very favorite library in downtown Fort Worth where the girls read, and play with puzzles, blocks, puppets and dress-up clothes.  The best part is, it is never crowded.  

 After Haven goes down for a nap, Anna and I have been reading chapter books together before her quiet time.  She keeps track of what chapter we are on each time and sometimes asks to sleep with the book we are reading.  One of her favorites was Beezus and Ramona.  After the first chapter she told me "I like Beezus the best, I don't really like Ramona".  This comment was so funny to me because knowing how her little personality is developing, I wasn't at all surprised by it. 

 

 

 

We are lucky to live near the Cultural District of Fort Worth and have gone to a few of the free family friendly events that have been put on by a couple of the museums.  One evening, Gigi, Anna and I watched a Ballet Concerto performance at an outdoor theatre on the Trinity River.  I love events like this!

 The girls have really benefitted from my pregnancy cravings (or just an excuse for lack of self-control) and have had more gelato, frozen yogurt, blizzards and milkshakes this summer than they ever will again! 

 Of course, some of the best moments of this summer have been those spent just hanging out at home and in the backyard (until it reaches 100 degrees and the mosquitos come out!).