Well, July is almost over and we have had one terrific summer break. Bri returns to school August 1st. Every year I am asked, "Briana goes back to school already? It's so early!" Yes, she is going back already. Does it stink that she goes back to school so early? Yes, it really does. I definitely wish she had at least another two weeks. But in our county (and several other counties), this is how it works. The kids get a number of "week-long" breaks throughout the year which is nice, but I still strongly dislike Bri having to go to school at the beginning of August. Especially because her birthday is August 5th. If she lived pretty much anywhere else, she would have a true summer birthday. It's a bummer.
Since she only gets 9 weeks of summer break, we really try to make the most of it. Bri did a whole lot this summer (which I'm about to talk about), but she also had a whole lot of down time. For Bri, that is really necessary. She likes having quiet time to decompress and just "be." Not having to go or be somewhere. Days when she can stay in her jammies all day. Days where she can just hang out in her "tween" room playing video games, watching YouTube videos, reading books and drawing. That's the introvert in her. I have that introverted part of me too, so I totally get it.
So, what have we been up to this July? Getting to spend time with family and friends has been at the top of our July list.
You already know we had a super fun 4th of July get together with friends...
We had a delicious Thai dinner with our friends (the H family) and Bri got to spend time with her friend Kira...
Bri's BFF Chani came to our house and the girls had a sleepover (along with swimming) in early July...
The girls have been friends since they were babies. I am not sure where the time went...
Chani returned the favor and had Briana over for a sleepover (also along with swimming) a couple of weeks later...
Briana also had a swim day with her cousins one day in July as well...
Bri also met up with her best bud Jackson for a fun afternoon of rock climbing, mini golf, laser tag and video gaming (and Jackson's mom and I got to do some girl chat)...
And one of our favorite families (the C family) introduced us to the Lake Winnie Amusement Park a couple of days ago, and Bri had the best time with her school bestie Meredith (a separate post on that coming soon)...
Bri and I had some of our own "mom/daughter time" as well.
Traditional summer lunch at "Steak N Shake"...
"Spiderman: Far From Home"...
A huge change also happened in July - Doug left his former job of six years and started at a new job. To celebrate his new opportunity, we had an overnight at the Atlanta Ritz-Carlton one weekend...
Welcome jellybeans...
And welcome champagne...
Our amazing view from our suite...
Dinner at the AG at the Ritz...
Doug traveled quite a bit in July, trying to wrap up his old job and get some training for his new one.
That makes Miss Mei Mei very clingy to me...
She wasn't happy when we were packing for the Ritz...
Doug and I had a date night while Bri was at her sleepover - dinner at The Optimist (a separate post coming on that too)...
July also means catching up on doctor's appointments.
Eye checkup...
A trip to the dentist (this is the mural on the wall in the waiting area)...
It was also time for back to school clothes shopping...
And shoe shopping...
Miss B also did some school suggested summer reading...
So, now it's time to get school focused. School starts on Thursday.
Bri wanted to start guitar lessons, and tonight is her first lesson. I hope she likes it. We shall see.
Tomorrow afternoon is school open house and Wednesday we will most likely be school supply shopping (B already has a new backpack and lunch sack).
We've had a fantastic summer that included an amazing trip to Hawaii. Who could ask for more?
Ok 8th grade - bring it on.
