The Jordan Journeys: Wrapping Up Summer

We are winding down summer over here and I'm torn between sad about Palmer entering the official school days with Kindergarten starting next week and excited about everyone getting into a fall routine.

Popsicles in the park for the incoming kinder class:

We've had a packed summer of trips, camps, and water fun to beat the Texas heat.

Warning: this post is going to be all over the place and its sole purpose is to post a bunch of pictures/memories for when I print this blog at the end of the year for the kids' ~~baby~~ kid books.

One of my favorite summer memories was kayaking on Town Lake in Austin while we were down for Horseshoe Bay. The kids far exceeded my expectations and Palmer worked hard paddling up front while I brought up the rear.

Grace was given a small paddle and mostly dropped it into the lake forcing Palmer and I to work hard to turn the kayak around and retrieve it. We encouraged her to paddle "in the boat" as much as possible!

All summer, Palmer and I have been working on chapter books. It's so much more fun to read a new chapter every night instead of the same ole picture book. We picked Roald Dahl's BFG in anticipation of the big screen release. I loved the prize of finishing and taking Palmer to see the movie.

Meanwhile, Ms. Grace is really coming into her own with water exploration. She started the summer a little unsure of the pool and is now very interested in swimming underwater and jumping off of the diving board or side of the pool. She has NO idea how to come up for air, so I need to remember to put her in swimming lessons this winter. (It may or may not have NEVER crossed my mind last year. Second child.)

I wish I had gotten more pictures from the weekend my sister came into town. She gave me the best Christmas present ever last year: tickets to the Dixie Chicks. We fell in love with the live performance TEN years ago and it was so kinda weird to think about all that had happened since our last Dixie Chicks concert.

I taught VBS this year. Art, actually. I don't like crafts. So, that went well... BUT, I loved how excited Palmer was about seeing me during the 30-minute art rotation. THAT made it worth it.

I have no pictures to document this event. The church scared me at orientation about getting our phones out during VBS hours.

So...moving on...

We ended the summer with a FABULOUS getaway with momma friends and kids. My friend and former nighbor, Kathryn, opened her lake house to the kids and I and another family. The house is in the hill country and near a town with a rock climbing gym. All six of the older kids (everyone but Grace) went to rock climbing camp in the mornings.

The minimum age for camp was 7, but when I called to register Palmer, nobody seemed to question his age of 5. Midweek, the instructor remarked to me, "Your son is 5. How did you get him in?" I played dumb and acted like I was so surprised. Score for the Jordan family because Palmer loved rock climbing and made huge strides. The instructor said he had no problem blending with the other kids and his only challenge was not having the height to get some of the taller rocks as he climbed.

Abigail, always the sweet coach and big sister to Palmer:

The kids spent the afternoons napping, swimming, mountain biking, and hiking. A few thoughts: 1) I'm only vacationing with families with older kids from here on out. (Besides my kids, the others were ages 7-13). Older kids are amazing. They entertain and take care of the younger kids. It felt like my first break all summer. Grace didn't lift a finger the entire week. Waiting children took care of her hand and foot. She had a rude awakening upon re-entry to Dallas...