simply SWEET: ahhhh. summer days..

Well, we finished kindergarten, first grade, and third grade and we are celebrating with a very busy, very fun, summer!

The first week of school ^

The last week of school ^

I think Kade has changed the most. What do you think? Bittersweet...

Their cheerleading program was too cute!

I love summertime! I love the lazy mornings and late evenings with the kids.

Our days are filled with play-dates, swimming, the library, trips, swim lessons, long walks at the park (on the shaded trail!), bike riding, reading on the back porch, bible club, afternoon netflix (they are currently watching some of the first Cosby episodes Ha! They think Bill Cosby is hilarious :), Summer Show-Off, more swimming... and many, many adventures :).

This year, each of the kids picked out a "summer journal" and we are documenting all of our summer adventures ;).

Typically, daily schedule is pretty specific in the Clarke household.. Up at 6:30 to give us plenty of time to get ready for school... In bed at 7:00, so they will be well rested for the next day.

Not during the summer months though! The truth is, my kids still don't sleep in (why is that??), but at least we don't have to get ready and out the door. We don't really have a summertime bedtime. 8 o'clock one night and 9:30 the next.

A couple nights ago, we stayed outside and caught fireflies (I call them fireflies & Sean calls them lightning bugs.. what do you call them?) until late.

It reminded me of a song. I can remember my girlfriend, Beth and I listening and singing this song a lot one summer when we were teenagers. :)

How could I ask For More, by Cindy Morgan.

I still like the lyrics:

There's nothing like the warmth of a summer afternoon

Waking to the sunlight, and being cradled by the moon

Catching fireflies at night

Building castles in the sand

Kissing Mama's face goodnight

Holding Daddy's hand

Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more

Running barefoot through the grass

A little hide and go seek

Being so in love, that you can hardly eat

Dancing in the dark, when there's no one else around

Being bundled 'neath the covers, watching snow

Fall to the ground

Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more

So many things I thought would bring me happiness

Some dreams that are realities today

Such an irony the things that mean the most to me

Are the memories that I've made along the way

So if there's anything I've learned

From this journey I am on

Simple truths will keep you going

Simple love will keep you strong

Cause there are questions without answers

Flames that never die

Heartaches we go through are often blessings in disguise

So thank you Lord, oh thank you Lord

How could I ask for more

Here are some snap shots of our summer adventures so far :)

Our first beach trip of the summer.

We went with this gorgeous family ^..very sweet friends of ours.

Kade really enjoyed watching the waves early in the morning :)

best buddies :)

my handsome boys

Kassidy

Kali Rose and Ali were hilarious! They made this closet their "hideout." ;)

who doesn't want to wake up to a little Tom and Jerry?

We had so much fun!! Our kids love each other and play great together. :)

On the way back from the beach we made a detour to see our sweet LaCoste famliy!

My friend, Becky, gave the kids these awesome "stick" games.. The kids have had soooo much fun with them. This one ^ is for you, Beck! (yes, that is a toothpaste mustache.. and a little left over chocolate popsicle from earlier :P)