Wednesday Hodgepodge!

 

 

 

 Hi Friends and Happy Hodgepodge Day!  I am joining Joyce for her fun linkup.  She always comes up with the greatest questions and this week's theme is SUMMER...my fave...here we go!

 

 

1. Summer officially begins this week (in the northern hemisphere)...what was your favorite thing to do in the summer when you were a kid? What do you like most about summer now? 

 

 

 

 Growing up, it was swimming in our pool...we would spend all day outside...loved it all...swimming...playing in the yard...Popsicles...fireworks...days at the beach...but the pool was my fave 

 

My fave as an adult is any time spent at the beach...I live for the ocean...brings me peace

 

 

 

2.  Something you'll celebrate this summer? 

 

 4th of July at the lake...and it will be a very special one for reasons I can't disclose just yet...and all of the "lasts" if that makes sense...well those won't really start until the fall, when school starts, but we have senior pics for Diana scheduled in August so that will be a celebration of sorts

 

 

3. Summer tastes like? Smells like? Sounds like? 

 

Tastes like watermelon...smells like salt water...sounds like waves crashing

 

4. June 18th is National Splurge Day...what's the last thing you splurged on? What might you splurge on today? 

 

Wow....this is a tough one...I guess I splurged on two summer suits but they are essential for real estate and are coming in handy for recruiting too...not really a splurge when they are helping me make a good impression and make money! 

 

I might splurge on a glass of wine tonight (writing this on Monday night) for a Cheer Moms meeting ;) 

 

 

5. Share a favorite summer quote, saying, song lyric, or meme. 

 

 "I can see you, your brown skin shining in the sun
You got the top pulled down and the radio on, baby
I can tell you, my love for you will still be strong
After the boys of summer have gone"

                                                Don Henley- Boys of Summer 

 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

 Summer truly is my favorite season...going to do my best this season to step away from the computer from time to time...splash in the pool with my girls...enjoy them...while they are here....it is going to be hard for me to unplug but it will be necessary and I know I will never regret it

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Day of School 2025!

 

Hi Friends!  Today is our last day of school here.  It is Diana's last day of Junior Year and Eva's last day of 5th grade.

 

You know what that means.  It is time for the obligatory chalk board photos of course ;)

 Diana described this year as the hardest year of her life...and yet, the best year of her life.  She overcame a heartbreak...major heartbreak...life changing for her.  She was a warrior dealing with a newly diagnosed disability...and she proved all the doubters wrong and ended up with a stellar GPA and high honors for all quarters but one.  Her course load was rigorous including 1 AP class and 1 Honors class.  Next year, she is doing even more!  She joined varsity cheer and thrived.  It was so fun to observe all of her hard work from the sidelines and more importantly, the joy that the sport and team brought her.  She has come so far and we are so proud and happy for her!

 

 

 Eva described this year as funny, somewhat challenging and fun.  She said she knows she will cry really hard today because she loves her class so much and feels they are so close.  It is funny, because I had the same exact experience in 5th grade.  It must be the age. She was blessed with finding her best friend this year...right in her class...and we are thrilled that the school put them together next year.  They are so good for each other!  She overcame a major challenge that affected our whole family...one that involved fear and harassment but we are thankful for a wonderful school system and police force that helped protect us. It wasn't an easy year but we were proud of how Eva conducted herself and never changed her kind ways.  We always tell her never to change...well maybe when she is talking back and extra grumpy but hey...happens to the best of us ;) So proud of this little lady!

 

 

 May this summer bring dreams...fun and lots of wonderful memories my loves! XOXO

 

Hello Monday (June 16, 2025)

 

Hi Friends and Happy Monday!  I am here with Sarah and we are sharing our weekends- if you did too, link up with us below!

 

First things first...we are on verdict watch here...have you been following along?  Not sure what I am going to be doing when this case is over...time will tell for sure... 

Friday

 

I whipped up a patriotic flower arrangement...just makes me happy 

and one good thing about all of the rain, the plants and flowers are doing great outside!

Rob and Eva had softball practice and Diana didn't have plans for once so we took the chance to drive around with the top down, grab an ice cream and catch up :)

 

 

Saturday

 

Rob and Eva and Papa headed up to Barrington first thing for softball...Diana and I grabbed bowls at Playa Bowls real quick, for breakfast 

Then I headed up to Barrington for a day of softball....Eva did well...love watching this team!

 

I headed home in between games to make dinner and get some things done for the week then headed back up for the next two games

 

We got home around 8pm, ate and crashed hard...and of course, caught up on some "Canton Confidential"

 

Sunday

 

 Happy Father's Day!

 

It was time for more softball!  I was able to catch the first game before all of my work started

and I love how patriotic it is up in Barrington...needed to snap a pic of the flags (not too great because I was driving)

 

Then I picked up Chinese food and my parents and brother came over so we could celebrate my Dad

 

and then when they left, I cleaned everything up...finished getting organized for the week...ordered some pizzas and got ready for the next crowd.  The girls and Marshall and Sylvie came over to celebrate Rob.  He, Eva and Papa didnt' get home from softball until 7:30 but we made the most of it and had a great time!

 

 

Eva's team came in 2nd for the whole tournament so they got runner up (silver) rings!

 We can't wait for Zach to come home next week so we can enjoy dinner with him and Zoe and catch up :)

It was a great Father's Day Weekend!  What were you all up to?

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Friday Favorites (June 13, 2025)

 

Hi Friends and Happy Friday!  As always, sharing some faves from our week!

Rail Trail Love

 

 

Summertime at Target

 

Eva's Decorated Catcher's Helmet :)

 

 

 

Patriotic Finds

 

 

Alexis

 

Last night, Diana and I attended Alexis's Dance Dress Rehearsal Last Night and we were able to grab dinner after with her and Cass and Alexis.  It was such a great night watching my goddaughter shine :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our 2025 Summer List!

 

Best for last!  The girls and I whipped up our list on Tuesday night and I always look forward to this.  We got some new scented markers for the occasion.  It is going to be another simple summer in these parts but one that I know I will cherish :) 

Have a great weekend friends!  Happy Father's Day to all of our Special Dads!