Our Summer To-Do List Recap

As I do at the end of each summer, I like to do a re-cap of our Summer To-Do List. Most years we accomplish every item, but not always. This year we accomplished all but one: Smith Hollow Farm. This local Kernersville farm isn't too far from where we live. Last summer I noticed that they hosted several "Days at the Farm" that included horseback riding, a petting zoo, a nature trail, and treats from a local bakery. This summer, they transitioned to a by-appointment-only system, and unfortunately we have not been yet. I plan to keep my eye out for any fall events, and it is my hope that we can visit then. The summer of 9-and-6 has been pretty special, and we have made lots of memories. Without further ado, here is our 2026 recap!

1. Tanglewood Pool (twice!)

2. Great Wolf Lodge

3. Smith Hollow Farm

4. Bethabara Park

5. Ocean Isle Beach 

6. Sports camps

7. Big boy bed for Eli

8. Church camp for Emmy

9. Visit Daddy at work

10. The Daily Basket

11. Lots of ballgames

12. Treats at Louie & Honey

Last Week of Summer Break

As the calendar has flipped to August, the start of the school year is just around the corner. In these last days of summer break, we have tried to pack in as much fun as possible. We've had some pool days, some sports practices, and sweet treats (of course!) With the good luck of getting the pass from the library, we were able to go to the Kaleideum not once, but twice! We bookended the week by going on Monday and again on Friday. Our second trip was on Boomer's last Friday off (whomp whomp), and it was fun to bring Daddy along on our adventure. After several hours of playing on the outdoor playground and exploring the indoor exhibits, we went out to lunch at Earl's in downtown Winston. As I think back on the week, we had a lot of good meals, including on Wednesday when we headed to Yadkin to see him at work. After taking our annual photos at Daddy's desk and generally causing a ruckus in his workday, we took him out to lunch at CJ's Roadside. Another special meal this week was on Thursday. In memory of my Grandpa Bobby's birthday, Meg and I took the four kids to McDonald's to get his favorite meal: a hamburger and strawbery milkshake. Megan has marked his birthday with this special tradition each year since his passing in 2019, and after joining them this year, Emmy expressed that she would like for us to continue it every July 30th too.  

This weekend we were once again at a ballfield! Emmy joined the Carolina Cardinals for a Friday Night Lights tournament in Greensboro. The team went 2-1, sadly losing in the Championship game but placing 2nd out of 6 teams. It has been somewhat unexpected that Emmy has been able to play this summer. We have all enjoyed it so much, and the Cardinals team has been so welcoming. Emmy's Yadkin Ignite team will start again at the end of August, but we are thankful for the memories we've made this summer with the Cardinals. 

In other news, Eli will be getting his first taste of travel ball this fall with the Canes. The team is based in Clemmons, and they have already started practices. One of the coaches is a former student of Boomer's, which a funny and neat connection, and his son will also be playing on the team. They will have five tournaments this fall, all at their "home field" in Clemmons. Three of the tournaments are Friday Night Lights, which based on our experience with Emmy, we have come to enjoy more so than the full day Saturday (or Sunday!) ones. It was like Christmas morning at the Kennedy household when the box of Eli's gear was delivered this evening. Both of my boys had big smiles as they pulled out jerseys, pants, a helmet, and other items. We've always been partial to black and gold, so it will be fun to watch our #8 rock Deacon colors on the diamond!

Bakewell Beach Week 2026

My recap for the Bakewell Beach Week is probably starting to sound the same. And each year, it is still true that it is our favorite week of the whole year. We have definitely found a rhythm of beach and pool time, dinners out and cooking in, evening walks and ice cream. I think it is the familiarity of this week that makes it so wonderful. We departed from Kernersville last Saturday around 9:30AM and rode along with Grammy and Grandpa as we have done in the past. The Highlander was loaded down with our luggage, beach supplies, and other household items. After stopping for lunch along the way and getting snacks from a gas station, we crossed over the bridge to Ocean Isle just before our check-in time of 3PM. Our house this year was called "Sandy Toes" and was right beside the water tower on the east side of the island. It made for an easy landmark to spot wherever we were on the island. Last year's house was a little too far from the beach access, and this one was much closer. Plus it was more central to the park and pier, which all of the kids enjoyed. On that first night, after having our usual Domino's pizza for dinner and accomplishing our big grocery run, we were settled into our new house for the week. 

Each morning started with some exercise for the moms, while the kids woke up and had breakfast. Sometimes they even did some reading on the front porch! Around 10AM, the prep for the beach would begin, with sunscreen, bathing suits, and sandwiches. Despite projected storms throughout the week, we were able to enjoy some beach time each day. Eli and Maddox loved playing baseball with the big orange bat; Emmy loved looking for shells and riding the waves on her boogie board; and Zander enjoyed playing volleyball and joining in with the other kids' activities. The highlight for everyone was when the yellow-and-black umbrella was spotted down the beach and Grandpa would get out his cash for Sunset Slush. Years ago, it was a special treat on just the last day of vacation, but it has since become an every day tradition, especially now that we have the refillable koozies. After a couple of hours at the beach, we would return to the house for some pool time. This year we had all four kiddos confidently swimming on their own. Even so, the adults were always close by, sometimes swimming and floating too, or enjoying drinks and snacks poolside. 

On Wednesday morning, we had a special treat of Blondiez Donuts for breakfast. Then Boomer and Eli joined the Houstons and Grandpa on their annual putt-putt outing. Eli was sure to clarify that he was just "playing for fun"...meanwhile, Boomer was out to win! He put up a valiant effort, but Megan took 1st Place, as she has for several years now. On Thursday, we were able to do Grammy's 'Marsh Walk'. It was my first time going along, and it was neat to walk along the boardwalk with its pretty views of the Intercoastal Waterway. 

In the evenings, we continued our usual schedule of eating in on Monday with spaghetti, tacos on Tuesday, Mom's homemade shrimp and grits on Thursday, and takeout from Ocean Isle Fish Company on Friday. We got dressed up on Sunday for Inlet View in Shallotte and again on Wednesday for Oyster Rock in Calabash. During both car rides to dinner, Eli caught a quick power nap and woke up energized once again. Whether we ate out or at home, the evening would conclude with ice cream. Boomer and I would then sneak away for our walk along the beach. These walks were a perfect conclusion to each beach day. 

One particularly memorable moment from this year's beach trip that I can't forget to mention was on Tuesday night when Emmy and Eli both lost a tooth. Eli lost his first at the park that evening, and then shortly after we got home, while taking showers and getting ready for bed, Emmy lost hers. Luckily the Tooth Fairy found us all the way at the beach, and they both were rewarded with $3 the next morning.  

This morning we did the not-fun but necessary process of packing up and saying 'goodbye' to Sandy Toes. After three years of being in different houses, we feel like we have found a house that suits our family and so we have booked it again for next year. As we made the drive home, we made our usual stop at Kalawi Farms for some ice cream. Eli squeezed into the Ben's Ice Cream t-shirt one more time, but I think we will have to retire it after this year. In all of the photos from this week, there's no doubt all four of the kids are getting bigger. I'm glad that they still humor us for the photos. 

We are so thankful for the past seven days and are already looking forward to Bakewell Beach Week 2027.