She's been 18 for years

 How has this girl just NOW turned 18? She's so responsible and cool and organized, it feels like she's already figured out how to be an adult. 

Birthdays with Megan simply MUST include lunch at Panda Express! Beijing Beef, baby!

Here cake decorating skills have all converged in this one shining moment! C'est magnifique!!

Classic summer fair: BLT's, homemade mac and cheese, cold seedless watermelon and corn on the cob. 

As an adult, she gets boring gifts like money and help with car payments, but she's always thrilled to have a new pair of strawberry socks and a cute wallet. 

Happy 18th, sweet Megabyte. I know you are going to rock being an adult...you already have years of experience! 

 

Deranged

 Just as we were leaving St. Louis, I got a frantic phone call from Janelle, one of our coaches at the gym. "Mark is hurt! You gotta get over here!"

It's hard to get over there when you are a four hour drive to the east. 

We headed back to Kansas, and Mark went over to Kansas City Orthopedic Institute to have it looked at. It was swelling up fast and after an MRI, it was determined that he had torn his ACL and meniscus. Or as they put it..."internal derangement of the left knee". 

Looks like it's surgery time. 

I guess 5 days of golf and high box jumps are a bad combo? 

SBL: Trip to St. Louis

 I've been wanting to go out to St. Louis for a long time now. Some (Mark) call it the "armpit of America".  

We shall see. 

First stop...the zoo!

And it didn't disappoint! We loved it all, the animals, the architecture, the layout. Perfection. 

One of our favorites was the butterfly dome. Delightfully magical. I could've watch the leafcutter ants for ages.

The buildings were full of these beautiful touches. It made the place feel so special.

Another highlight was sitting on the grass watching these poor zookeepers try to persuade a large bird of prey to come on back into captivity. The escapee was unconvinced. Can't say I blame him (her?)

Like all good road trips, we finished the day off with a ride in the elevator, 

A dip in the hotel pool,

And falling asleep to the History Channel.

Day 2 was dedicated to the City Museum. 

Not your typical museum. 

It was all about climbing and exploring and ascending and descending. 

Crazy cool.

A view of the roof:

On the roof!

Rooftop Ferris wheel? Sounds perfectly safe. 

Our last day we spent at the St. Louis Arch. Maybe I'm a total newb, but I loved it. It's so breathtaking the way it shines in the sun. We were appreciative tourists. 

We didn't get to ride up in it (not that sad), because we needed to head back home and there was still 4 hours till the first tour left. I was prepared to gird my loins and go, but I was spared. 

Time to get home...but first!

Subway Sandwich time! 

I actually just took this photo because Laney was diggin that girl's haircut. Had to grab a pick to show at the next haircut!

Summer Bucket List 2023

 The silly string battle is over. It was epic, for sure. I'm so seasoned by now. I've been an elementary school mom for SEVENTEEN years. That's more than enough time to figure out that you gotta get the double pack from Amazon in late April. 

Or your kid is hosed. 

Going into battle unarmed...or worse.

With a dollar store can that runs out in 4 seconds. 

She'll get clobbered.

The battle is over.  And the bucket list looms large. 

We ride at dawn.

The youngest

 The perks of being the youngest of six kids. 

There are many. 

But perhaps one of the most valuable is that you hit the ground running. 

The second you are born, you are on the move.

By the time you're in the 4th grade, you can make a spread. In cast iron.

She's pretty much ready to move out. And she knows it. 

Megan Graduates!

Don't tell! We're sneaking in a little early...we want good seats!

On the jumbotron!

All seated on the field

Tossing their caps!

That's the smile of a girl that knows she doesn't have to do homework for a while!

Photos with the family

Megan and Devon....fulfilling their secret plan to dress as Unus Annus. 

 

Nailed it. 

I couldn't be prouder!