I love summer, and there is one major reason why! Because my girls are with me and not with some strangers that are designated by other strangers. Yea yea, I know education is important and beneficial. But I am selfish and want my girls all to myself.
I had some fun things planned for this summer. Tour of parks, aka see all the city parks. Bowling. Movie theater. Zoo. Daily or even weekly family bike rides. Splash pads. Yah, none of that happened. Because...
The older two girls have lived in the alley behind our house this summer. I would say they average 5-6 hours a day out there. And that is the only place they want to be. Bike rides, picnics, scooters, hide and seek, sidewalk chalk cities, sharing snacks, etc. There are kids from six different families that come out off and on throughout the day. This has been the summer of all summers for them. 
Then last night it hit me. My heart broke into pieces. We will not be here next summer. Today was their last day of all day fun with this crew. Oh it hurts to think about that. Though the pending move is not until next spring, it hurts now. Gosh darn it Navy, you've done it once again! My heart hurts. This crew is such an amazing bunch of young kids. Ranging from three to ten, they all get along. They all like to play the same games. They all enjoy the daily bike adventures. This all while roaming, adventuring, pretending, BEING INNOCENT CAREFREE KIDS. Kids doing kid things, unfiltered by adults.
Sigh, at least it has been a good one.
Now, I did manage to get to spend some time with them. Doing all sorts of random things...
Library party on base.
Which we rode our bikes to
A trip to NC to see friends and families
Shows, oh the shows, lots of shows! But they are lovely, because these girls light up when they perform for their one or two person audience.
I did housework with this cape wearing, high heel strutting princess!
Built towers
Kissed boo boos
Took selfies
Visited dear friends in DC
chersihed the bond these two share
Cherished the strides this lite one is making in gross motor
Oh how she wishes she was five or seven
But we are working on potty training so that is one step closer to being a big girl (this momma may never buy another case of diapers again)
I patiently sat through and even enjoyed about 1,752,937,378 covers of 'Let It Go'.
Spent a week at the beach with this dynamic duo.
Enjoy nature with my brother and kids
Elli snuggled up with her favorite bunny
And I even had some mother daughter bonding time while getting 'fancy nails'
I love my life! Simply put.... Life is Good!
