Summer Fun

A summer during a pandemic sure looks a little different, but nevertheless we are making lots of memories.  We are fully aware that we have it really easy during this time, so we try hard not to take it for granted.  

We have had our boat for 12 years and this is bar far the most we have used it.  There is absolutely no better way to social distance and still have a great time.  The kids all like tubing and this little one person tube does not work well for all 3.......they did make it work though.

So we got a new bigger tube......and these two have become pretty adventurous on it

We have been exploring new areas of the lake....it is so beautiful and peaceful out there

Some days I just take the kids out to the dock to play around.  We pack a lunch and just jump in the water.  We have spent many mornings and picnic lunches on the boat dock.....

We saw an amazing rainbow one night......

We also went blueberry picking several times early in the summer

Then we spent the afternoon making Blueberry muffins and Blueberry pancakes

We did a Spa afternoon with face mask, heating pad and foot massage.....

We took turns doing one on one dates.  Nora wanted to pick up a Crepe and then have a picnic by the creek and hide painted rocks.....

Scott also took Nora and Evan to the golf course....

We went to the Pea Ridge Military park for a hike, but the bugs/ticks were so bad that we returned (and by that I mean that we ran) fairly quickly back to the car and had a picnic in the back of the car.......

And since we were fairly close to the Short Stop at that point we decided to get one of the giant ice cream cones and share it in the back of the car.....it was melting really quickly so we had to dump it into a cup.

We celebrated Fathers Day with a dad Joke book....

We had another "fancy dinner".....Hannah loves this and plans the entire thing.  She did my hair and make up again.

Evan was dressed up like a girl countless times this summer (he will probably not appreciate these pictures when he gets older, but for now he doesn't care).

I do think it's time for Evan to be around some boys more often......he wanted his nails painted as well

This is what happened when we left Hannah in charge while we were up in the gym....hair chalk pens for the win!

There have been lots of dress up times......most of the time I am not sure what look they are going for.

Evan and Nora have become so close over the summer.  They play great together.  Of course there is plenty of fighting, but in general they have become really good friends.  They play Army Men for hours......Evan's room looks like a tornado went through, but that is OK.  He will play Barbie with her sometimes since she plays Army Men, but it usually ends with a headless Barbie and an upset Nora :)

We have done lots of crafts and Fort building.....This door hanger was a kit from Imagine Studios

                                          For 4th of July we made these fun "treat purses".....

Of course Hannah had to make a 4th of July cake.....

We also had the great idea of doing a Donut taste test......there are two donut shops we go to, so we wanted to see which one does better in a taste test.

We got the same 3 donuts at both shops and then taste tested.....

The giant Jenga has been a lot of fun, but has also caused some Jenga injuries......those blocks can hurt when you tower tumbles

Boys vs Girls Scavenger Hunt around town was also a big hit (thanks Debbie for sharing your ideas)!

Picture with a port a potty.  Check.

                                                                 Climbing a tree. Check.

Picture with a yellow car. Check.

                                      Drinking as much water as you can in 1 minute.  Check.

Picture with a statue.  Check.

Picture with a social distancing sign. Check.

We also had some videos.  So much fun.  It ended with everybody jumping into the pool with their clothes on. 

The Bella Vista beach is always a favorite.  It was the closest we got to a beach this year.

I was also really impressed with how easy it was to distance here.....

Another Friday, another trail......we explored new trails almost every Friday.  This time we went to Devil's Den state park.  It was a hot one for sure.

More boat fun.  We have discovered a Marina a little way from our dock that sells pizza.  It has become one of our favorite things to do now......cruise down , order pizza and eat on the boat.

The rides back to our dock on our pizza nights are my favorite.  I don't want summer to end!!!!

The kids have been practicing their wake surfing.

Hannah and Evan can get up.  Nora is not far off.  We surf with her.....

Hannah needed another "excuse" to bake another cake.....this was my Mom's birthday cake.  We sent her pictures of it.  The thing is that nobody in our house loves cake.....we are more of an ice cream family, but Hannah loves to bake them.