Last day of school for the 2012-13 year!

Wow, you've really let yourself go. I'm speaking to myself, of course, and only as it relates to this blog. Specifically. So much has happened since I last posted here, it will probably take me another five years to fill in the gaps. So I won't.

Let's just start fresh, shall we? It was actually the inspiration to start ANOTHER blog that led me back to this one. You can read all about that story in Wonderfully Made. I considered just adding my newest journey to this blog, but I think you'll agree, it's deserving of its own space. And I want this blog to be focused on the joys, celebrations and occasional frustrations (ok, maybe a little more often than that) of being KC Mom to my three most precious blessings. I'm sure there will be crossover and a little redundancy, so I'll try to connect the dots when necessary.

So as of today, summer is half over and I'm already itching to start back-to-school shopping. Remember when summer was a time to relax, veg out in front of the tv, hang at the pool and let those well tuned brains get a little mushy? That was soooo last generation. If I don't have my kids in scheduled, structured activities I'd never get them out from behind the multiple screen options scattered around the house. Minecraft, Roblox, Netflix, apps ... they have a death grip on my kids' attention. Pair that with two working parents and kids that aren't quite old enough to fare the summer days on their own and you end up with just as many activities and obligations as during the school year.

Thomas with KU men's basketball coach, Bill Self.

Thomas had the experience of a lifetime this summer at the Bill Self Youth Basketball Camp at KU in Lawrence, followed by an intense week at the William Jewell Youth Basketball Camp. According to him, the KU camp was way cooler since he got to meet some of the players and Coach Self and hang with new friends in a real KU dorm, but he learned more at WJ. I'm so proud of my baby baller - I can't wait to see how he develops. His summer will wrap up with a few remaining swimming lessons and five weeks of Camp Gone Wild with movies, pool days, bowling, Worlds of Fun and other field trips before he is officially a Manor Hill Patriot 5th grader! He's a passionate, sensitive, kind and gentle little soul, a loyal friend, cousin and brother. Just don't invade his space. Like, ever.

Andrew enjoying a Royals v. White Sox game.

Andrew's summer has included LPS summer school learning about Rome, computers, books and science. He has become a huge lover of the pool, and joined Thomas for the William Jewell basketball camp, though the jury's still out on how much he enjoyed it. His real passion this summer has been continuing to develop his acting, singing and dancing through a summer youth theater performance with Visitation Catholic Church in Brookside. He'll be a crow and a little Dutch boy in the cast of Children of Eden July 25-28. I absolutely love seeing him channel his passion and high energy into something he loves. Layer on a hip hop class, and his own Camp Gone Wild adventure, plus birthday number 9 all before school starts back up in August. He'll join the third grade, and audition for his third CYT show all in the same week! Another very exciting year ahead for our little thespian/comedian/performer!

No hesitation for her first real bus ride to school.

Maddy has had a very exciting summer full of so many new adventures. She celebrated her fifth birthday (WHAT?!) with a PJ's and Pancakes party - a major success (thanks Pinterest!). She attended summer school for the month of June in a real elementary building, including riding the bus to and from school each day. She went into the entire experience full of confidence and eager to try anything. The rest of her summer includes a short stint back at the daycare during the days, a new tumbling and dance class and gearing up for her real kindergarten adventure. This little lady continues to amaze me ... she can go from whiney, whimpering (or full on howling) toddler to mannerisms and expressions worthy of a Disney teen star. She definitely has the performance bug who loves to dance and sing with very little fear of putting it all out there!

June ended with a family vacation to Rockford/Chicago then on to the Lake of the Ozarks. We saw nearly all of the cousins, aunts/uncles, and grandparents, including one great-grandmother! Maddy and I had one very special day with my bestie and her sweet little peanut, Maggie. We had a blast brunching, shopping, giggling, drinking coffee, eating ice cream and driving all over Chi-town! From there it was lots of family time with the Crystal Lake and Rockford Hands, then an 8-hour driving adventure to the lake. We had near-perfect weather for the 4th of July festivities with plenty of opportunity for beach time, boating and swimming off the dock. We couldn't have asked for more!

Maddy and sweet little Maggie - the Moo sisters!

Rockford's Burpee Museum of Natural History. Meet Homer!

Maddy and her pretty Nanna.