Sisters

Another month and you're still really enjoying being together.

On the way home from the pool.

Taking a breather after a lot of running around in the sprinklers.

At the farm, picking (and eating) our weight in strawberries.

Rehoboth Beach - June 2013

This summer, we rented a beach house in Rehoboth for two weeks. In years past, we were lucky to stay at a friend's house, but they sold the house this year so we were on our own. We spent a week at the beach in the beginning of the summer and plan to spend the second week right before school starts.

One of the things that we really liked about the rental house was that there was a playground on the block. There was also a canal with a ton of turtles that you liked to feed at night after our dinner.

Like always, we spent quite a few nights at Funland. This year, however, Sophie was able and eager to go on many of the bigger kid rides. Also, Zoe and Mia were constantly challenging themselves to go on  bigger and new rides. The last row in the dragon boat that swings around was Zoe's favorite. Freefall was a close second. Mia loved Freefall and Paratrooper.

Sophie's first paratrooper ride.

I am not a fan of these cars that whip around forwards and backwards, but you all seem to love them. In this picture, Sophie is about to take her first turn on them. She and I are sitting in the car behind Zoe and Mia.

Freefall!

We spent a lot of time on the Boardwalk riding bikes, getting ice cream, and going to and from golf, Funland and the beach.

This family ride is getting heavier and heavier each year. Good exercise for me and dad, but next year I think that you all may be riding along side on your own. :)

Mia, you had just started riding without training wheels a month or so before this trip. By the end, you were totally comfortable weaving around people on the Boardwalk.

Next time, I'll have to ride along side you. You're all getting too fast for me to walk next to you. I had to run the whole time to keep up.

Sophie loving the new bicycle.

This year, in addition to the outdoor miniature golf, they opened an indoor miniature golf park too. It was the perfect activity for the morning we left.

Jungle Jim's water park was a ton of fun this year since you were all excited to go on all the water slides. Sophie kept trying to negotiate her way on to the bigger slides. She was almost, but not quite, tall enough for several of them.

 With all the activities available, the beach is still the best. I wish it was in our backyard.

It's no wonder that you were exhausted at the end of each day. You liked to curl up together in our bed and look at books. It was a very sweet time of day. I can't wait to go back in a few weeks.

Last Day of School - Ashlawn Elementary - June 2013

Zoe and Mia, you each had a great year at school this year.

Mia, you learned to read. You also learned lots of addition and some subtraction. You can count in all kinds of increments, understand many money calculations, and have a decent grasp of early geography. But, most importantly, you loved school. You really enjoyed the process of learning, and you were close with your teachers. You also had lots of friends this year, and you were always so excited for play dates. 

Hugging Ms. Dasbach, one of the most awesome Montessori teachers around.

With Ms. Coia, your fabulous assistant teacher.

Zoe, this year you fell in love with math. You would memorize random math facts and recite them throughout the day. You also started really enjoying private reading time. In the morning, you often curl up in a chair with a book and get lost in it. You also liked homework which made it really easy for us. You had very little of it, which we also very much appreciated. You made lots of friends this year and had all kinds of activities with them. It was fun to watch you develop your own little world of friends and activities.

With an incredible 1st grade teacher. Zoe, you and Ms. Bransford got along wonderfully.

You enjoy being in school together and often sign up for school activities together. This year you participated in the science fair together. 

Celebrating at the ice cream shop with some friends. Here comes 2nd grade and Kindergarten!

Sophie Gymnastics

Sophie, you've been taking gymnastics for the past year, and it's your favorite activity. On the last day, each participant has a chance to do a routine, hop up on the platform and take a bow. Here you are enjoying your moment in the spotlight.

Piano Recital

For the past year, you've been taking piano lessons. You are eager to learn a new song to practice each week, and take to it pretty naturally. When you're teacher offered the opportunity to play in a recital at a nearby senior center, you both wanted to join the event. Mia was first to play and then Zoe. I was so impressed with how calm and confident you each were. You had practiced and felt really good about your performances. 

Mia playing Betty and Bill for the audience.

Zoe at the bench playing Bluebells of Scotland.

Grandma Barbara and Grandpa Ed Visit - June 2013

We were lucky once again to have Grandma Barbara and Grandpa Ed come to visit on their way to the Berkshires for the summer. We had a few days together to splash in the sprinklers, swim at the pool, and play. We also tried a new restaurant and discovered a great new area for playing in outdoor sprinklers and watching movies outside.

We're already looking forward to their drive back through town when they come home at the end of the summer.

PS - Zoe and Mia were so busy that it was hard to capture them in pictures! :)

Great Grandpa Milton's 98th Birthday - Houston 2013

We were so happy to celebrate another birthday with Great Grandpa Milton this year. The cousins had a lot of fun playing together and we were able to visit all of our favorite spots.

Grandma Barbara with her grand-babes.

The hotel had swans in the lobby. As much as my animal-rights self hated that for the swans, they provided constant entertainment for the kids who were allowed to feed them lettuce every day.

Annual train ride at Herrmann Park with cousins Ryan and Julia and Aunts Cindy and Julie.

Water park in Herrmann Park with cousin Ryan.

Camping out in Great Grandpa's office (still decorated circa 1970ish).

Grandma Barbara and Grandpa Ed playing dress up at Southern Importers, Grandpa's costume and display store now run by Uncle Mickey.

I'm pretty sure that there was a sign on every cart saying something like, "please don't let kids push the carts."

The grown up cousins - with Karen Frost Schrier, Louis Frost, Katie Dochen, and Aunts Cindy and Julie. Happy birthday boy in the middle.

More birthday bliss.

Love this smile. Happy birthday Grandpa! You make 98 look good!