The Summer of Sleepovers

Shortly after Emmy returned from the TBC Junior Retreat where she spent two nights away from home, she had a sleepover for her friend Smith's birthday. This sleepover was Emmy's first true sleepover with non-family members, where she was dropped off that evening and picked up the next morning. She loved it and had fun stories to tell of sleeping on a blow-up mattress and eating pancakes for breakfast. The summer of sleepovers continued this past week when Emmy and Eli stayed over at the Houstons'. A tradition from last summer, the four cousins were eager to spend the night together again. We planned it for last Wednesday, when there was a home Dash game so that Boomer and I could enjoy a date night while the kids were with Aunt Megan and Uncle Zack. The afternoon kicked off with seeing Toy Story 5; then they went to the 4th of July cookout at our church. There was also blueberry picking in the backyard, fort making in the living room, and walking Beau around the neighborhood. I met them at the pool the next day, and they were already asking to have another sleepover with Aunt Megan. That night, they slept together in Emmy's room, with Eli on his mattress at the foot of her bed. I heard a little bit of chatter, but it wasn't too long before both kiddos were fast asleep.

 

Over the holiday weekend, we celebrated the 4th at Lake Tillery with all of the Kennedy family. We arrived mid-day on Friday and stayed through Sunday afternoon. The temperatures topped out in the triple digits, so we spent a lot of time in the water. Although I usually stay dry on the dock, I got in the water each day and even went tubing with Emmy and Eli. Emmy and Eli love tubing and riding on the boat. They also love jumping on the lily pad floating mat. The weekend was so fun being together - all 17 of us! I know Granny and Paw Paw were happy to have all their children and grandchildren gathered together. Eli especially enjoyed the lake this time, now that he has earned his yellow band at the YMCA. After much encouragement and prodding, he finally took the swim test last Thursday. While he is not ready to attempt the green band with the additional elements of treading and back stroke, I was so thrilled that he received the yellow. His confidence and skills have really taken off, and it showed at the lake and also when we went to the Tanglewood Pool this past Tuesday. Both kids bravely went off the diving board (something the YMCA pool doesn't have!) and they went down all the slides. Meg and I enjoyed the lazy river and were even able to float around several times while the kids swam independently nearby. The rest of the summer may have a different feel now that Eli is swimming - both of us will have a bit more freedom! :)

Last bit of big news: we finally converted Eli's toddler bed! He is no longer squeezing into the small space of essentially a crib, and he now has much more room to spread out. We have made a few other decorative changes in his room, with removing some of the nursery items and picture frames. This project was on my summer to-do list, and I'm thrilled to have it checked off, although it is bittersweet to see Eli take one step further towards a big boy.