August Highlights // Saying Goodbye to Summer Break

well hello ya'll* i'm here doing my august highlights a little late but hey, at least it's here. I was literally about to post this and it suddenly deleted ugh so I pushed myself to write it all over again in one setting. so here it is. hope you enjoy.


AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS

last week of summer break - our last week of summer was filled with fun and games ;) it was gonna be bittersweet to start school up the next week so I wanted to make sure we did enjoyed it. Monday, we spent the day with our friends. We played basketball (like usual) then after getting all hot and sweaty we took a dip and king of the dock in the water. (You guys should be glad I'm alive cause that game was intense) Tuesday, we reunited with another one of our friends who just got back from venturing through New York (ahhhhh jealous). It was super nice to catch up, drink bubble tea, play with each others new cameras, and do a photoshoot. Thursday, we roasted in the sun while we played basketball with a lot of our friends. And Friday, we had a lemonade stand at our house. You'll hear more about this later ;) Overall, the week was a blast

the eclipse + lemonade stand - our town reached totality so it was suppperrrrrr amazing to see. our town was also the longest point of totality (uh huh aren't we so cool :P) so tons of people all over were coming over to experience this amazing sight. just a half mile from our house hundreds of people gathered to watch. It was a blast to be able to experience it with all my family and grandparents. Since our town was kinda busy we decided to have a little lemonade stand at our house. Although right by the highway isn't the best place to have a lemonade stand, it was super fun getting to spend time with my family (and friends who came over to support us. I have the best friends ya'll haha) and make a little money out of it. The money went to my gymnastics fundraising so that was cool too hehe.

visited a really cool small business coffee shop - after school my family met my friends at this reaaalllly cool cofeee shop. it was sooooo cool. the iced coffees were served in mason jars (whaat so cool right?!) and the hot coffee was served in a very round cup. It was really vintage with lots of succulents, plants, old books, and old tables and chairs. They also had coffees from different countries like Guatemala and Mexico. after drinking our delicious coffees we took a walk around the town and did a little photoshoot. it had lots of brick walls which made for great photos ;)

our family went to a baseball game - our first one this year (which is unusual. we usually go to more than one by August). it was really fun cause we got to see a grand slam and we were all screaming really loud haha I have the video and it's hilarious. they won the game which always makes the game twice as fun as it is ;)

THE BOMB STUFF

my mom and I have been bike riding at least 3 times a week every month which is super awesome for me cause I love bike riding but no one used to ever go with me. now we're starting to go more again yayyyyyyy

I learned how to play the bass. I'm going to play for a youth event this weekend and I'm really excited.

we went to the science center for sarah's little babysitting kid for her birthday and it was soooooo fun. I love it so much. #childatheart it was also really fun to see how excited they were to go.

okay, so my friend accidentally tripped me while playing basketball and I got a bruise on my knee. who cares about that though. I RIPPED MY JEANS. and before ya'll ask why I was wearing jeans playing basketball, it was because we were at a youth party. I got to look good, cmon. haha *chuckles at myself* anywho, the next day I was determined to go and find another pair to replace my beloved jeans. AND I DID. TWO. I FOUND TWO. One of the them was 6.00 dollars. 6.00 DOLLARS YALL WHATTTT? I still have the price tag on my dresser so I can see it every once in a while and feel accomplished haha. Ik I'm weird.

my friend braid my hair in dutch braids and I never get my hair done like that so I kept it in for literally 4 days. the next morning I took it out and it was super wavy.

I drew that pretty cool flash drawing. kinda just a little proud of myself haha

had tons of photoshoots with my siblings and friends :) yayyyy

GOALS
last months goals were:
have a good last week of school - yessssss
paint the kitchen cabinet - I actually did this in September but ehhh close enough. It was the 2nd day.
stop being on technology so much - yes mainly bc our dad started taking our ipods with him to work for part of the day so we can focus on school.
sleep outside - ugh no but our dad just put our camper down in the  backyard so once it cools down we can sleep there. i'm so excited. my siblings and I have countless memories in that little camper.

this months goals:

not completely die in the first month of chemistry

stop being so nervous at gymnastics (it's a bad nervous)

read a lot more

get 450 followers on my photography Instagram account

get a new blog design (anybody who can do it for me or knows someone who can please contact me. that'd be great)

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS? ARE YOU EXCITED FOR FALL? (I am woohoo!!) WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR GOALS FOR THIS MONTH?

Thanks for reading!! I hope you enjoy your September!!
bouncing in to say bye,
                                    Bernie

July Highlights // My Vacation and Other Cool Stuff ;)

Heyyy August. I'm not superrrrr excited for you because school is starting and the weather is very hot and humid in August but I'm excited for a new month ;)

  I feel like July went by really slowly. Like was the fourth of July really only 4 weeks ago? And did I really get back from my vacation two weeks ago? Whattttt? July was reaaaaallly fun though. There was a lot of exciting things that happened so you should read on to find out what they are ;)

July Highlights

I hosted a waffle party at my house - haha so yeah I invited my friends over for blueberry waffles. They were delicious. (Sad to say I think ever since then I haven't made waffles since haha.) uhhh but they were so good with whip cream on top. *im drooling right now. aren't you?*

Fourth of July was the bomb. (ahahaha that's a pun I'm laughing so hard rn) The fireworks were pretty awesome but being there with my friends and family was better ;) We played a game of football before the firework show and it was really fun. Usually no one ever guards me (which idk why because I'm a good player and I can catch a ball real good and even after I show to them that I'm a threat, people still don't block me. weird right? or am I just weird. idk.  it's really fun when always get the ball and scores runs for the team ;)

I made really good soda popsicles hehe my dad got them for me since he knows I like popsicles so much. (Thanks Dad!) I also made yogurt flavored ones too and they were sooooo good. Mmmm I'm craving them now.

WE WENT TO THE BEACH - won't really go into big detail about it because I'm writing a post about it in full detail (and it's gonna be THE BOMB post jsyk. check it out when I post it ;P) but let me just say IT WAS AWESOME. and right now just thinking about it makes me want to go back in the salty blue ocean water and be pulled into the mighty waves that beat on me. *add some dramatic music to that sentence* anywho, stay tuned. we'll talk more about this later ;)

we made bracelets for our friends who will be going to Guatemala on a mission trip. They're going to give our bracelets to little kids. It's awesome to know that even though we can't go there we can still help a little :)

bubble tea - I drank bubble tea two times in one week like uhhhh... so awesome.

reunited with our friends after vacation - we hung out at the library while Sarah and her friend volunteered. we drank bubble tea (for the 2nd time that week haha) and took artistic photos with our plato creations. (haha and we had a white piece of paper that we set up for our backround.) #aestheticnessatitsbest

VBS - ahhhhhh this was so fun. I helped with the 1st and 2nd graders with one of my friends and it was soooo fun. The first day, we basically followed around the kids and didn't really do anything but after a couple days we were busy helping the kids. It was super fun. Especially the music. haha I'm just going to add the links to these awesome songs (check em out. they're the best) One of the funnest songs to dance too and one of my favorite songs ever, Say Yes to VBS. Another really cool song, Sin Messed Everything Up. And Over the Moon another favorite ;)

Our family set up a surprise party for our Grandma and it was soooo sweet. She was sooo surprised. It was very enjoyable getting to take a little trip up the visit our family. I played around with my little cousins a lot. They're the best ;P

The Bomb Stuff

we went to our friends house and got some vegetables from their garden and there were LOADS of tomatoes, green peppers, cucumbers, egg plant, and blackberries too!! they were sooo good.

I changed my bedside billboard pictures (finally) and I'm so happy with how they look now. eeek!

I just got two new sweaters and I can't describe how much I'm excited for winter. AHHH I WANT TO WEAR SWEATERS AND JEANS SOOO BAD. *I know I'm weird*

AHHH so the flowers are finally up and butterflies are coming. I can't describe how beautiful it is. I'm so overwhelmed every time I see it. I thank God about a million times for making flowers. (Don't you too?) and btw, I just made a new hashtag on my Instagram photography account #elliesflowerspam haha I love it.

we drove around my dad's hometown where he grew up and it was so enjoyable. it was very fun to drive around and hear him tell me stories about when he was young.

I'm obsessed with Running Home to You by Grant Gustin and I can play it on the guitar and it sounds THE BOMB. it's the best love song I've ever heard (which is saying a lot because I don't really like any kind of love songs.)

We're obsessed with The Flash right now. Does anybody else love that show? *looking out for any fan out there to talk too* btw, that picture up there^ of me that's all blurry hehe doesn't it look like the flash? haha

Goals

paint the cabinet in the kitchen

make my last weeks of summer really fun and awesome

sleep outside

stay off technology so much

Thanks for reading guys!!

Comment below what you did this month cause I'd love to hear from ya'll ;)

bouncing in to say bye,

                                   bernie

My Once Again Super Late June Highlights // Hey July

JULY you're here. Well duh Ellie. YOU'RE LATE AGAIN. Ugh sorry guysss. My excuse this time is I just got back from camp and now we're planning a vacation and it's like AHHHH. Busy. Anywho, back into it being July not my stupid excuses about being late. Honestly, I'm a bit sad about June ending. June was great. SUPER busy, but a GREAT busy. A super awesome you-don't-do-this-everyday kind of month. I'm excited to share it with you. So let's gooooooo *yay I'm so excited right now. like literally streamers and confetti are flying out in my brain right now*

J U N E in review

Meeting Anya and Aiyanna - You know your month is going to be good when the first day is THE BEST DAY EVER. I met my long distance friends Anya and Aiyanna after 2 years of knowing each other and wanting to meet. They were traveling back home after a trip and they got to stop by for dinner (thank you so much for giving your time even though you probably wanted to get home).  It was funny because this year Anya sent me a birthday letter and one of the things she said was "I wish I could see you for your birthday but maybe I'll see you next year." And THIS year we met. Like less than a month after she said that. Awwwww I love our little story. haha We also took super cute photos (above is one of them^ but there's more that are sooo cute)

Cousins - Earlier this month we took a trip up to see our family. Mainly, our cousin who was about to leave for the military. So our family hosted a nice party. It was superrrr nice to see all our family we haven't seen in a while. We colored till our fingers dropped played a lot of hide and seek, and ate a lot of blueberries.

Gymnastics - This month my homeschool gymnastics class ended for the summer so we had to find another class for me to enroll in. My coach invited me to be in their gymnastics team. Basically, I'll train in the summer and then in the fall we'll compete. There are lot of differences in my homeschool gym class and my team class.

Gymnastics Homeschool Class vs. Gymnastics Team Class
Mainly just for fun                           To train for competition.
Practices are 45 minutes long.         Practices 3 to 4 hours long.
Less stressed. Not so pressured.      Very stressful. If you aren't doing very good, you will be pushed*
Only about 10 girls                           Probably 20-25 girls.

*Now this is in a totally good way. There are girls (we all do this sometimes) who talk a lot, don't try their best, and overall are kinda lazy in their work. So yes, they will be pushed to pay attention, do their best, and work hard. Gymnastics teaches you great character*

So yeah it's really fun. Actually right now I'm taking July off for gymnastics because vacations, VBS, baseball games, etc. are taking up a LOT of our nights. I'll be training in my backyard again for right now but that's totally okay. I'm excited to improve on my skills during July but also just take a little rest. It takes way more energy than you think.

Baseball games - my bro's lighting up that pitcher's mound ya kno #proudsister. It's sooooo fun to watch him and his teammates play. They're improving too. YAYYYYYY it's awesome to watch that happen :)

Jeppin  - one of my friend's got a jeep and we got to ride in it. IT WAS SO FUN. I'm dreaming about getting a jeep now lol. Anywho, the wind was blowing and the music was super loud. IT WAS THE BEST. And sang to We are never getting back together which I don't even like that song but you can't NOT sing to a song and have fun when you're in a jeep. it was so fun.

Lake day - For about a week I was begging my mom everyday to go swimming. Everyday felt inconvenient and she had to say, "Sorry Ellie. We'll do it tomorrow." haha and that went on for about a week. Until finally we found a free day to go with the whole family. It was sooo worth the wait. We spent the whole day hooping the tennis ball in a tube, doing front flips off the deck, and then we got pizza. I ate pizza in the water (it didn't get wet. I know, that'd be gross). It was loads of fun and I can't wait to do it again.

FCA camp - I've kinda already went into detail about this REALLY FUN HIGHLIGHT (that you should totally read about if you haven't) right here so check it out. A short summary though. FCA is a sports camp and I got to attend and be a huddle leader for my 2nd time in a row. It's always very tiring but loads of fun. but read more about it here hehe :P

Danny's Birthday - Over the time of FCA was also Danny's birthday! Although our day was super busy like a full day of camp and then he had a baseball game, I think he really enjoyed it. He also got some pretty rad birthday presents that I KNOW he really enjoyed getting.

D3 - D3 is a Christian summer camp that lasts for about a week. It's taken place on a BEAUTIFUL campus. (You can witness just some of the beauty when you see my photos of the campus^ there's much more beautifulness though haha.) I went to D3 last year and it was soooo fun, but I got a concussion. This year was wayyy more fun since I didn't get hurt. Anywho, I really enjoyed the sermons, the track sessions, (which is basically just lectures about three topics missions, worldview, and leadership which you have to choose between. I chose leadership) team games, and the fellowship I had with my youth group. I'm going do some posts with more details so be looking out for that ;)

   Some funny stories that happened were being in the talent show :P So our leadership teacher made a dance and taught it to us girls. She told us she wanted some girls to help her do it for the talent show so me and my friends agreed. Now let me tell you. We were in a good mood that day. Because I DID NOT want to do it the next day. I endured it though and it was actually kinda fun. We got to dance on the stage and then watch all the other kids dance with us. It was hilarious cause we all looked like total fools.

    It was the last night of D3 and I was getting ready to head to bed. There was one girl in my room who was sleeping so as I left the room to brush my teeth, I shut the door so she wouldn't wake up. Well after finally heading to bed, I tried to open the door to my room and it was locked. This is horrible. My pillow, bed, blankets, and everything I need to go to sleep is in there. What am I going to do? So I kinda talked to some of my friends hinting to them that I needed a place to sleep but they didn't really do anything lol. I was ready to sleep on the couch when I saw one of my friends and just kinda mentioned I'm locked into my room and she was like, "Oh we have to open it. We can help you. C'mon let's go." So we banged on the door trying to wake up my friend who was sleeping in there but she would NOT wake up. My friend said, "Okay, let's open my window, you climb outside, open your window, and climb inside your room." Which thank God we were on the 1st floor otherwise I'd probably be sleeping on the couch by myself. I climbed into my room though (barely). It was a funny experience in the end :P

   D3 was soooo awesome (as always) and I can't wait for next year!!


Thanks for reading guys!!
bouncing in to say bye,
                                    Bernie