Our BEST Summer EVER!

Hello out there! I know, it's been a while. Hopefully, this post will explain just why I've been so quiet on the blog. You may remember that we had a Brain Balance check-up back in April with Dr. Pete in Atlanta. Across the board, everything looked GREAT for Aidan. Dr. Pete gave me this advice, regarding Aidan's upcoming summer vacation - keep him busy. Find as many physical camps or groups as you can afford, and let him be a seven year old boy. Message received. It started like this…



I spent days researching camps in the area, finding out which camps and themes interested Aidan and still had availability. We soon realized that we could actually afford very little (summer camp is SERIOUSLY expensive), so we asked our family for some help. (Generous parents and grand-parents are AWESOME and we are so very grateful!) Aidan's top picks were basketball camp, baseball camp, archery camp, and above all else, SURF CAMP. We were able to make ALL of that happen, and then some. Rather than TELLING you all about it, I thought I would SHOW you…here goes!

Our Summer 2012

We began with swimming lessons, for all of the monkeys...




Next came some serious beach time with friends and family...







Followed by Baseball camp…




Papa took Aidan shopping for his baseball gear, and gave the boys a few pointers in the yard…





We officially ended baseball week with a Sand Gnats game, and the boys had a blast!



Next up, archery camp at Camp Villa Marie. I wasn't able to get any pictures at this camp, so here is a photo of the boys having sorbet after camp, with Aidan wearing the Camp Villa Marie shirt that he tie-dyed himself!



More beach time followed, with LOTS of paddle boarding (the new Pence Family Obsession!)





Andy invented the "Ashwin toss" which was quite challenging to photograph! (Don't worry, Ash LOVED it!)




The next summer adventure was the super cool Waterman's Camp - surfing, kayaking and paddle boarding. You can read ALL about this camp (and see ALL the photos) here, but I will re-share a few of my favorites.






Basketball camp followed - again, no camp photos. But check out our new basketball goal, courtesy of Mimi and Papa!



Probably the biggest surprise (in a good way) was the Art Camp that was put on by the City of Savannah Department of Cultural Affairs. Drawing, painting, sculpting, pottery, jewelry making, theater - they did it ALL! Aidan had so much fun the first week that he attended, that he BEGGED for another week! Check out all of the cool art that he made!









More beach time, and I just have to take a moment to really appreciate how lucky we are to call such a beautiful place our home.






Aidan's last grand adventure (certainly, his favorite) was an entire WEEK of surfing with local legend, Hot Sushi! Aidan learned SO much and had a blast each day with Sushi! Between Sushi and myself, we got SO many great photos - here are a few of my favorites...




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By the end of the week, they had one another's expressions down pat!



I think this one is my very favorite (photo by Hot Sushi)




That MUST be it, right?? Not quite…



There were also fireworks…



Family visits…






Putt-Putt…



Spray Ground & Play Ground fun…







Exactly ONE awesome boat ride...



And more awesome Sand Gnats games…



Aeson conquered his fear of Gnate the gnat…



And Aidan caught his first ever pop-fly ball! (He was super proud, and more than a little stunned…;)



Aidan got to ride horses with Horsin' Around, which he loved. We are so grateful that we got to participate in their summer program, and hope to get to ride with them again in the fall!




We learned a thing or two this summer, as well…After Ace's foot found an oyster shell, we learned the importance of water shoes at low tide.




OUCH! It was very awful, and he was very brave…moving along!



We also learned that the bike path at the YMCA is a GREAT way to wear the monkeys out! (And we ALL get our exercise that way, too!)




And finally, I learned how to add text to a photo I took paddle boarding one day, making it my new favorite photo and a perfect motto for our summer!




Whew! So now I hope you understand why my blog posts have been so scarce! We've been just a little bit busy! And just to be a total tease, I will tell you that we have two more super exciting adventures coming up in the very near future. The first of which is tomorrow, and I should REALLY be packing everyone up and getting ready! Stay tuned!

Much love,

Allie