Double date

 

Last night we took Elliot and Berlin out on a double date at Texas Roadhouse.  He turns 18 tomorrow so this is a fun gift of experience as well as something we put on our summer Live list (bucket list).  Elliot had never been before and we all enjoyed it.  Of everyone I think Andrew likes this restaurant best.

So much flavorful and tasty food.  Elliot devoured the burger and was impressed by the fries.  He was not too impressed by the sweet rolls which he had heard are a favorite for many.

There was some arm wrestling and some good laughs.  We tried to convince Elliot to sit on the saddle for the birthday song they do at Texas Roadhouse but he wasn't up for the adventure.

After dinner we went to Goodwill where I thrifted 9 pairs of pants for Avery and Zara to try on for school.  Only a third of them fit so I'll need to return some for store credit but it was still satisfying buying them with a coupon which caused the average per pair around $6.50.  Not bad!

Glad we had the experience and got to cross off another summer bucket list item off. 

Summer cross country

 

Mid June we started our cross country preseason. By we I mean Sally Johnson who I coach with. She’s the Heritage Academy Junior High Head Coach and in her assistant. This will be our 4th year coaching junior high cross country together.

During summer break we have practice Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. It gives runners a chance to build and maintain endurance and just have fun and get to know each other as a team better. We keep summer light and play games. 

Fridays are the most fun because we often do a water game and have popsicles or like yesterday, snow cones.

Looking forward to this next season! It officially starts when school starts in three weeks and we have meets (races) most Saturdays in September and October.

I get Zara on my team again and Sterling, my nephew, for his first time this year.

It’s going to be a great year!

Swim divisionals

 Swim is a big part of our summers every year. The kids get better every year and it’s such a good way to move their bodies every day. This was Beatrix’s first time doing swim team. 

For divisionals (City Championship qualifying meet), Avery and Zara raced on Wednesday and Rupert and Beatrix on Thursday. Each swimmer can sign up for up to 3 events.

Avery swam 50m free and butterfly. She beat her PR (personal record) by 2 seconds in each. She got 31.47 in freestyle 5th place out of 9 swimmers, and 35.07 in butterfly and got 2nd place out of 6 swimmers.

Zara got 34.31 seconds in her 50m freestyle which was 11th place out of 21. The top 16 swimmers go on to Championship next week. Zara also swam her breaststroke in 42.01 and got 4th place. Amazing!

Rupert swam in three events which went as follows:

17.21 25 yard freestyle, 17th place

22.18 backstroke, tied for 16th place

39.00 50 yard freestyle, 22nd place

Rupert was slower in his first two events than his times leading into divisionals. We’re not sure why he wasn’t on his game, but we plan to make sure he gets lots of electrolytes and a nice dinner and takes it easy the day of championships next week. Taking it easy might be the hardest to fix because he just wants to run around and play with friends all the time. :)

Beatrix only swam one event so she can get the experience. We knew she wouldn’t be the fastest but wanted her to see what it’s like. She’s so cute but is not a strong swimmer yet. I know she’ll continue to improve with technique and speed every year.

34.80 25 yard freestyle, 47th place 

She even shaved 8 seconds off! So proud of her for showing up and doing her best.

After Avery finished she borrowed dad’s car and when to mutual. Zara finished later and I took her to Tru Bowl Superfood for the Island Bowl, our favorite place and our favorite smoothie bowl. So good! She ended up sharing it with Avery later. Andrew took Beatrix to QT for a slushie and Rupert wanted the shaved ice from the truck at the meet. So Avery and Zara will go on to championship next week. Rupert will have a face off in backstroke since he tied for 16th place unless another swimmer is going out of town and can’t swim, and he’s alternate for 25 free and might swim that one as well if alone goes out of town. We’ll see!

Grand Canyon

While we spent a weekend at the Bagley cabin owur Andrew’s parents I drove us all to the Grand Canyon. 

Andrew was working remotely so he didn’t come and Berlin wasn’t feeling well so Elliot stayed behind to be with her.

It had been 15 years since Carol and Nev haven’t been to the Grand Canyon. It’s still just as incredible Avery single time!

I didn’t remember Nev being so scared of hights. We went on a short part of Bright Angel trail and he was so uncomfortable with the narrow trail switchbacks with drop offs.

Beatrix and I hiked a little further than everyone else to this natural bridge hole in the mountain the trial goes through.

I wish Beatrix were a little bit more afraid of heights. :)

We started out near the Bright Angel area and drove over to the main south rim visitors center later.

Rupert and Beatrix filled out the packet and both became Junior Rangers for the south rim of the Grand Canyon.

We did this for Saguaro National Park last year. I love that this is available. So fun for kids.

Rupert has his 4th grade park pass so we got in free. I love that we can do that. I also love that we live in a beautiful state with 3 national parks we’ve all been to including one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.
 

Ostrich Ranch

Carol and Nev visited us for two weeks in June and it was such a great time.

 This is our 2nd time taking Carol and Nev to the Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch and our 3rd time and we love it!

We love that you get to feed the animals. The food is part of the entrance fee.

Berlin also joined us and it was her first time.

We get to feed goats, bunnies, deer, parakeets, ducks, lorikeets, tortoises, and sting rays. So interactive and run!

It’s the kind of place we could return every year.

Everyone finds their own favorite. Berlin loves the sting rays, many of us love the lorikeets since they land on you and are so social, the ostriches are actually kind of scary and aggressive, you.m can “kiss a goat” by feeding it with its feed in your mouth. It’s an adventure!

Relay meet

 

Avery, Zara and Rupert all swam the relay meet. It’s by invite only and it’s always at Skyline aquatics. The coaches also do a race in between the freestyle relay and the inter medley relay. 

All three did both relays and they did great!

Afterwards Andrew took Beatrix and Rupert to get icecream and I took the older girls to get smoothie bowls. They’re our favorite! Plus I had a coupon.

Natalie came over after to start watching Anne of Green Gables. Sara said she’s been trying to get her kids to watch it worth no success.  So far Natalie is enjoying watching it with Zara.

Summer haircuts

 The photos posted out of order but Zara and Beatrix got summer haircuts over the weekend! Zara had about 8 inches cut and Bea around 5 inches.

 Of course they look cute no matter what but there’s something fresh about a nice haircut.

Zara had been wanting a to cut her hair for a week, or at least that’s when she first mentioned it to me.

At first dj wanted to wait until December but was convinced to just do it!

It’s been many years since she had her hair chipped since she’s been growing it out for so long.

Beatrix wanted to cut her hair just by seeing Zara get a haircut. Real FOMO going on.

With Beatrix growing out her bangs a haircut actually makes sense for her.