On the outside, looking in

Legos

Swimming lessons

One of Molly and Elijah's favorite parts of summer this year was taking swimming lessons.  Elijah got to take swimming lessons when he was just one, but we haven't done it since then - it sure was time!  The kids went almost every day for 2 weeks, and learned a lot.  They had a great time, especially Miss Molly the mermaid.

Getting brave

jumping in

This slide was really, really fast, but Molly went down several times!

All worn out after a fun day at the pool

Oh, Molly!

Just a couple of quotes from our funny, crazy girl today.


Mama:  Those shorts don't match your shirt, sweetie.  Do you want these instead?

Molly: But Mama, Fancy Nancy says that lavender goes with ANYTHING!


While running wild with Elijah:  Engage jet promotion!  [propulsion]


On the way home from church:

Daddy: What did you learn about in your class today?

Molly: Eli and Samuel.  And then those enemies, they were the Philistines, but we call them the enemies, they stole God's sacred box.

Daddy: The ark of the covenant?

Molly.  The sacred box. 

The Poconos

We went to the Poconos on vacation with Patrick's family for a week in July.  We had fun together, despite the face that the accommodations were, uh, less than ideal. =)  We called it camping, but it wasn't really ... except for camp fires in the evening, and s'mores!   The campground where we stayed had a pool and water slides that the kids just LOVED - they would have happily spent all day everyday in the water.  There was also mini golf and a lake for fishing.  Papa, Danny and Patrick got to play (real) golf one day, and the big girls went shopping at the outlets.  We also spent one day hiking at Bushkill Falls - it was beautiful and so nice to be out hiking.  It rained for the last part of the hike, but we still had a great time.

Finn went swimming in a real pool for the first time

Uh, Mom ... I'm not sure this is a good idea.

The little slide - fun for groups

campfire

Getting ready to hike

Off we go!

Patrick carried Finn the whole way - wow, it's a good thing he's strong.

Bushkill Falls

Happy little hiker

Tea with the girls

Molly and I spent a fun Saturday with Bobbi, Aunt Diane, Aunt Lorrie and all the girl cousins at a cute little tea room.  We had a real British tea (the little girls had lemonade to drink) and a great time being together! 

Do you think she was excited?

A real china tea cup - she felt like such a big girl, and she did great!

The little girls in their matching dresses from Bobbi

Some more summer pictures

Here are a few more pictures from our summer so far:

Elijah loved playing t-ball this year

batter up!

Elijah's best friend from school was also on his t-ball team - so fun!

just chillin'

A favorite past time - he reads around 50 library books a week, chapter books and "fact" books

This was my favorite reading chair as a kid, too - Elijah likes to sprawl across it just like I did!

Molly is busy "reading," too.  She has suddenly become much more interested in looking at books on her own - she used to usually wait for someone to read to her.

The big kids love picnics on the deck!

Happy Birthday, Finn!

Finn turned one on Sunday!  What a big year.  He is such a sweet, smiley baby, and we are so thankful to have him.  He eats like a bottomless pit and has turned into a pretty good sleeper now, hooray!  He is still doing his one-arm, one-toe variation of the army crawl, but he is a fast little booger.

He has started pulling up and cruising now, so he is into everything.  He is so tall!  It took him a while to practice and get strong enough to pull all that weight up - and it was a big surprise when he finally did it!  I was in the kitchen when I heard Elijah yelling frantically, "Mom!  Mom, come quick!  We've got a real problem here!"  I raced into the powder room to find Finn standing up, chewing on the toilet seat and grinning at me!  Elijah was horrified.  I was horrified, and laughing at the same time.  Nothing is safe now!

Standing tall!  The ottoman is just perfect for cruising.

Loving his table toy!

Too much fun to be still!

Today we had a birthday party at Patrick's parents' house for Finn and Aunt Lorrie and Uncle Bill.  It was a fun day, and extra fun that Nana got to be there, too!  We chose Goodnight Moon as the theme for Finn's cake and decorations.  Yesterday, Maiah came and spent the whole afternoon helping me make and decorate the cake.  She was such a big help!

Surprised, and hoping to grab the candle.

Goodnight Moon cake

My baking assistant, Maiah, with her first fondant cake!