Birthdays and parties and holding on to summer as long as we can...

Longest title ever for a blog post but that is pretty much the description for the end of August.  After barely surviving our first week of school we jumped headlong into a weekend of celebration and summer fun.  Jack was still sick, ALL of us were exhausted... but we're not going to let any of that stop us from engaging in scheduled festive activities!

First up:  Kite fest!   One day only this year so we squeezed it in on Saturday.  Thus, not the idyllic day of leisure that we usually have on Kite Fest Day.  But still lovely and always high on my list of perfect festivals, with its simplicity and calm and small crowds. 

This photo, of Nat pretending to be caught in a kite string, is somewhat ironic as shortly after this photo was taken, our box kite got caught- and shredded-- on another kite's string.  Sigh.  We purchased a couple of the awesome small kites they sell at Kite fest and soldiered on, because that it the theme of late August...

The essence of Kite Fest.

Later that same day...

Our sweet overwhelmed boy simply could not handle the combined pressures of starting middle school AND having a birthday at the same time this year. So, the birthday got thrown under the bus.  He got stressed even talking about his party, so we decided to keep it VERY simple.  No theme, no over the top goody bags, no pre-planned games or special tags for the food.  Sigh. :(  Easier for sure, but lacking something.  I think Jack realized his lack of buy-in just that day as he looked around and said, "what are we going to DO for the party??"  He's gotten used to the spectacle and the organized games even if he thought he didn't want them any more...

Still, at the end of the day, it was a successful little party.  A group of super nice boys, who played together swimmingly even when Jack had to take a 45 minute rest from the party because he was STILL not well.  They Nerfed in the yard extensively and then took it in stride when the pizza was late (turns out Guy's pizza lost power so couldn't even call us to let us know they couldn't make our pizza.... Dewey's to the rescue!).  We did a "reverse party" with presents and cake before dinner and it was kind of fun.

Eleven year old boys are funny, and adorable.  I am happy to find that I really like all of Jack's friends.  Good kids, one and all.

Sunday-- a trip to the Greek Fest because every weekend has to have ALL THE THINGS...

... and then a little cookout with friends, rescheduled from last week.  Laid back and fun with a terrific potluck spread and a sweet group of kiddos running around our unkempt yard.

It was a super hot evening so we created an "oasis" on the pergola with a fan and the baby pool for feet and there is a lot to be said for sitting around talking with lovely people and drinking IPA while you have your feet in a cold-water bath.

This rocking horse has lived out in the yard for 8 years.  It is still a favorite. Even with 10 year olds.

Summer's not over yet!