Like many parents and stay-at-home moms, I was both eager for this year’s summer break and also kind of dreading it. Last summer was my first summer in the US and my first summer with two kids. We were still new to Virginia and didn’t know many people. Michael was traveling a lot for work. Finn was napping twice a day. I was nursing him and feeding him solids. Colt was turning 3. It was hot. It was hard. Each day seemed like the one before it. I couldn’t figure out what to DO. I kept asking other moms, “What do you DO every day?” A lot of it was just me taking time to adjust to our new life here, getting to know people, getting settled in our house and neighborhood, caring for two young kids, etc. Things changed dramatically when Colt started school for the first time in September. It was only 3 mornings / week so not a ton of time per se, but it provided us with a structure, a rhythm and it expanded our community.
When springtime rolled around and we started thinking about this upcoming summer, I remembered the lessons from the previous year’s struggles and knew we needed a better plan. As we looked at our calendars we started planning visits to family, classes, activities, etc. Most camps and classes for kids here are kind of expensive and having two young kids – one of whom still naps every afternoon – makes it a little trickier too. But, when Colt’s preschool sent out the notice about their church running a Vacation Bible School (VBS) program, 1 week, every morning Mon-Fri for $25, I knew we were on to something! I mean, they’re singing songs, doing crafts, and learning about God with other young friends, for the steal of the century! I immediately signed him up and then started searching for other VBS camps when Michael had the brilliant idea of looking into my parents’ church in South Carolina. They go to a great church in Columbia – Eastminster Presbyterian – and sure enough they had a VBS running the last week of June (with a different curriculum than what Colt’s VBS in Arlington will be). The timing worked great for us so we signed him up.
We flew my mom up the Saturday prior (just in time to babysit for us as we went to see The Sound of Music!) and that Sunday, after church, Gigi and I loaded the boys and did the drive together.
We start the drive with lunch followed by naps.
Finn always wakes up after 1 hour on the dot.
And eventually Colt follows.
And I get moved to the backseat.
But I don’t hate hanging with these two.
On Colt’s first day of VBS, we arrived at the church and found his group – the Purple Knights! His little class was all rising 4K and he is on the younger end, and since it’s not our home-church, the place and people were all unfamiliar to him. I was nervous about how it would go but I was SO proud of how well Colt did. There were a few tears on the second day’s drop-off but he pushed through and had a great time. And I think things like that are such good confidence builders, where kids learn that they can do it, they can have fun, they can make new friends, etc. all on their own (in a safe, wonderful environment of course). I was really proud of him.
First day of VBS wearing the new, perfectly fitted T-shirt.
Colt with his fellow Purple Knights.
And when Colt wasn’t at VBS, we were having other fun adventures in Columbia.
“This is Noah’s arc. It landed on the mountain top and the water is already dried up and the animals are leaving the boat.”
Ready for pool-time!
Gigi introduced Colt to milkshakes…
We spent over 3 hours one afternoon at the Ft. Jackson water park. It is AMAZING and we can’t wait to go back.
Getting our toes wet.
Colt getting brave, running in and out of the mushroom.
The Gigers.
I’m obsessed with this picture of Finn. He is hilarious. #shades #tummy
Our third time around the lazy river.
More splash areas.
Brothers!
Finn!
Just can’t beat it!
Playing in the shallow end.
My boys!
More fun around Columbia:
Finn driving the cart at the Home Depot. He’s the man.
Heathwood Park had their sprayers turned on!
Mud pies.
Harper bros.
Obsessed with this face.
A beach. Water with a boat, fish, bubbles and a bridge. Sand and a starfish. Grass and trees. Sun in the sky.
After the VBS closing program. Finn looks so big to me here!
Swimming, playing and dinner at our cousins’ house, the Longs!
Jack on swing duty.
Colt loved the diving board!
I took advantage of having my mom available to go with me to take the boys for haircuts. I was fully prepared for Finn to melt down like last time but it was a kid salon so they had plenty of toys and ultimately the combo of the lollipop + Gigi holding Mickey Mouse on the Kindle was the winning solution.
A much calmer haircut experience.
End product.
Colt got his part buzzed in! He’s very cool.
The grand finale to our time in South Carolina was a day spent at my grandparents’ house on Lake Murray with my parents, my aunt and my brother’s family. My grandparents moved to the lake when I was 6 and, growing up, my brother and I spent all of our summers here so it is the home and place that has been most consistent in my life. Very special place + very special people = great times had by all! Thank you Nannie and Papa!
Boys hunting for turtles upon arrival.
Colt & Dad!
Finn napping while we’re all playing!
May, Augusta Clare and Brad heading out!
Michael stole the Zaises new puppy!
Jumping off the same little trampoline that we used there as kids!
Augusta Clare!
Colt!
May!
Michael looks a little scared.
Very subtle Papa!
Hammock time! Coordinating outfits compliments of my mom.
They’re so cute.
Finn!
Out for a boat ride!
Colt at the wheel!
Finn, very relaxed.
AC driving!
What a great week we had!
We also did some group photos.
It started off great: Michael dropped me off with the kids and the luggage as he went to park the car. After running around a little, Colt decided he URGENTLY NEEDED to go potty. We had SO much stuff and were nowhere near a bathroom. Also, just at that moment Finn tripped over his feet and face-planted into the floor, only to come up screaming. I really had no choice but to strap Finn into the stroller and slip Colt into a pull-up. I didn’t even fully take his pants or undies off, I just attached the pull-up on via the side openings and had him stand and just go pee in the pull-up! I felt terrible to do that to him, especially in a crowded airport! but desperate times call for desperate measures. Soon Michael came and rescued us. 
We made it through security and the TSA team handed the boys their very own stickers! 
We didn’t buy a seat for Finn on the plane so the flight was…not great. 
Michael described it as trying to capture Finn’s attention and keep him happy for a series of 5 second intervals that went on for 5 hours. And anytime that we came up short and failed to keep him occupied/satisfied, he just screamed. 🙂  But, eventually we made it and we were all so happy to be there!
 
When Santa walked in, Colt was SO excited. Colt ran directly to him and led him into the room and promptly sat on his lap. Colt told Santa that we had left some cookies and milk out for him back at the house and reminded him that we were in fact in Arizona, not Virginia. 
Finn required a little more time to get comfortable but eventually he got there.
There was stiff competition for best-dressed between Dr. Bob and Dr. Ollie but Santa cast the deciding vote in favor of Papa Harper!
Next we headed to mass with the family at Brophy Chapel. 
After mass, we spent the afternoon opening gifts and playing together. Both Colt and Finn received personalized sleeping bags from their grandparents and they just loved them! 
After the little boys were asleep, the big boys headed out together!
The day after Christmas, we gathered in the Harper orange grove for some casual family photos taken by dear Lenni Greigo. 
After Christmas, Michael headed back to VA for work while I remained in Arizona with the boys a bit longer. One highlight during my time there was that one of my precious girlfriends from my time in Brazil, Paula, came to visit. Paula’s family ended up in Phoenix after Brazil and (although they’re moving now!) we always enjoyed connecting with them when we were in town. Paula’s two boys are just a few months younger than mine so we had a great time catching up on life and watching our boys play together. The big boys – Colt and Gabe – were instant buds! So thankful for those special friendships formed abroad as we now have treasured friends all over the country / world.
Another fun activity was Lise being brave enough to invite Colt to participate with her in a little cooking extravaganza. Although we may have gone a little too heavy on the powdered sugar 😉  it was so much fun to watch Colt cooking with Aunt Lise. He adores her to pieces and had a blast – especially taste testing along the way. 
Papa Harper also took the boys to the local firestation and on another adventure to the zoo! 
And nothing beats just hanging out with family. Especially loved our many play-dates with cousin Julian, just 3 months younger than Colt.
And IÂ always love my boys in matching PJams! 
The saddest event of the holidays happened in between Christmas and New Years. Sweet Sharon had a little fall in the house which resulted in a seriously fractured shoulder. She was such a great sport and super tough through it but it was heartbreaking to see her going through that. Even still, the boys got lots of quality time with her. I just love this magical shot of Colt snuggled up with his Nana, telling stories by the light of the Christmas tree. 
After a week of work, Michael returned to Arizona to celebrate New Years with us. We hadn’t really made and NYE plans, but then Lise’s awesome boyfriend (also named Michael) hooked us up with some tickets to the Clemson vs. Ohio St. playoff game! We were SO PUMPED and had an awesome time – especially given the Big W for the Tigers!!! 
And on the flight home… Colt is an angel and Finn is a NUT! 
Jeans & A T-Shirt 