Most of all the local schools started this week and that to me,
signals the end of summer. I can't let that milestone pass without
highlighting a few more fun things the Haucks have been up to.
Like most other Americans, we've been watching
our fair share of the Olympics. My favorites (do the
Snapchat filters count as favorites?) are
gymnastics, swimming, and diving. The women's
gymnastics, especially the moments highlighting
those "final five" were truly outstanding.
We cheered on Michael Phelps too....and
lastly with the diving...I'm just so impressed with
all the flips and turns and handstands off the
diving board!
I bought this sidewalk chalk paint at the beginning
of summer, from the Target dollar bin...and we've
used it nearly every week. It was super easy to
prepare (just add water!) and it made a practically
a whole bucket full of paint. Max seems
to like doodling around with the paint
on our driveway and sidewalk. I liked
coming home from work and seeing his weird
little abstract creations!
We visited the Plain Township pool with Auntie
Stacy on a Sunday...and it was a total blast!
There is a kids play area...and Max was definitely
getting braver walking through some of the water
squirts and going down all the slides.
There is also a bigger pool with zero entry for
kids and Max loved wading into that.
He also did about 100 jumps off the side...and this
is where Titi taught him to "cannonball".
We made muffins....chocolate chip of course....
And spent many Sunday nights swimming (and bathing)
over at Mema and Pop's house. I have to say...enjoying
a Sunday swim, lingering over a longer cocktail hour...
and then having someone else make you dinner was
pretty fabulous! It almost always led to Max falling
asleep in the car on the way home too...which meant
zero bedtime battles for us. :)
Summer time ZooKids was a blast!
We survived the heat and the crazy kids...
and convinced a five year old to take
our picture in the prairie dog cut outs :)
Max still likes the sand table (though it definitely
could use a cleaning and some new sand).
We have so many outdoor toys...they just rotate
between being used in the sand table, the pool, or
swing set.
We attempted to see "Finding Dory" - which would
have been Max's first movie but it was sold out!
So, as luck would have it - there was a paint your
own pottery shop across from the movie theatre and
we ended up there. Max first set his eyes on an
enormous train bank - but I was able to persuade
him into painting the letters, "M, A, and X".
He was a little confused when we had to leave
them there to get fired in the kiln, but
came around to that idea. We picked them up
about a week later and they turned out so cute!!
That same weekend we found a new park in New Albany
and explored with Auntie Stacy. The playground
structure was all wooden and it had a fire pole.
Titi taught Max how to slide down the pole.
The park also has some nearby walking trails that
cross over a creek (with fish)! Max almost
stepped in the creek water....but managed to stay
dry. He also managed to find a stick to carry
around and insisted on bringing it home with us.
It's so lovely to have Auntie Stacy so close.
She can always be counted on for a weekend hang out....
and she always finds the best parks! And her house
is close to our favorite pizza place - Bellacino's!
The parmesan breadsticks are do die for.
As our summer ZooKid seasonals began to have to
leave for bigger and better things (namely, full time
jobs) we decided the best way to reward them for their
hard work - was a trip to our promotions department!
We met the sweetest little Bearcat - our binturong -
and her name was Fern. She crawled across
everyone's shoulders and was absolutely adorable!
Stacy and I drove home late one Sunday evening
in early August to go see Lady Antebellum at the Fraze
Pavilion with our mom. While the show was much shorter
than we anticipated - they were fun to watch! I didn't
remember them having so many hits! Also worth
mentioning - because my mom knew we were going
to be getting home super late (driving back to Columbus
the same evening) - she made our lunches. I don't know
if it was that fact that I didn't have to make it or what -
but that lunch was divine.
And of course, we are still trying to cram
as many park hangs into our evening as possible.
A three year old's energy level is insane (or maybe
it's just my three year old?) If we weren't going to
the park - he would be bouncing (literally) off our
couch and demanding we "watch" all his new tricks.
Sidenote: every friday is jammie day at school - so
that's why he is still in his pajamas at the park :)
I try to visit the Worthington Farmer's Market
at least once in the summer. I didn't know if we were
going to make it this year...but we crammed in a quick
visit two weekends ago! Parking was sort of a disaster -
but we pushed through - and we purchased a popsicle (for Max)....
And sunflowers for Mims (who Max was going to be
visiting later in the day)!
Finally, it wouldn't be summer unless I was begging
people for their extra zucchini.Thankfully, it seems
people are more than willing to hand over the zucchini.
In fact, I think most people are sick of it by August.
I'm more than happy to grate it, shred it, and now...
make noodles with it!
That's right, I've moved beyond zucchini bread....
and now I'm making noodles. I got hooked on them
when I was doing my Advocare cleanse ....but they
are pretty expensive when you buy them from Whole Foods.
No more! This spiralizer makes it sooooo
ridiculously easy minus all the carbs! Woohoo!
While summer is certainly dwindling away....
I'm sure we will cram some more adventures in
before Labor day! You know we never sit still :)
Stay tuned!
xoxo
