Nothing like posting about the middle of the summer vacation on the eve before the first day of school!
Somehow after July 4th, I didn't take a picture for the next 8 days, oops! I actually have a halfway decent excuse for this lack of photography. Much of our time was spent under, in, and around the water. Beginning Monday the 8th of July, we started "swimming lessons". These turned out to be a wonderful summertime activity to occupy the three weeks in July we remained here in Raleigh with no plans. Every morning at 10-ish (i.e., aimed for 10, never made it there before 10:15) we met Rosalind & Orson and William & Emmy at the pool. Moms Liz and Carol agreed to watch Jack and Meghan for me while I taught the three big kids how to swim. It was a win, win, win! The big kids did great, each one of them able to swim back stroke and the beginnings of free style by the end of our "lessons". So no pictures, but great progress!
After it was all said and done, Clara made me this cute thank-you poster. To me it was extra clever because the "Mom" was made out of blue-green-yellow blend of play-doh (ocean colors, if you will) and to me resembled an old school stick-man butterflyer.
My proud artist-swimmer
Jack shows off his play-doh collage. There are some intricate squiggles on the right side.
Swimming in the mornings made for some tired kiddos in the afternoon. Meghan joined her big sister reading on the couch.
A favorite activity of Jack's has been "washing" his clothing. With all the rain we've had, there has never been a shortage of a stray bucket of rainwater, and he's been in heaven. Here's a shot of him twirling his undies, fresh off his body in a bucket spin-cycle.
On the following weekend we took a trip to the park for some scooter time. Look how far they've come!
The ever-safe game of scooter soccer.
Meghan for whatever reason wasn't in the mood to scoot and insisted on dragging it around the track.
In the middle week we went over to Clara's preschool friend Blythe's house for a playdate. The kids had so much fun riding the zipline in their backyard. Jack couldn't quite reach the handle, but he was determined not to let that stop him taking a turn.
Clara's extra inches helped her ride it the way it was intended.
Blythe and her family moved back to Nashville in the middle of August, so it was good to get these three girls together. We've been friends with Blythe since the girls were three years old, and we'll miss seeing them around Raleigh.
On another late morning start Meghan opts to read under the kitchen table.
During this time we also took a trip to the mall to buy Clara a new backpack. The kids inspected the fountain.
Clara takes a turn. Check out that shiny purple leopard print.
Waiting for some tasty eats at Chipotle with Daddy, Jack tries on his sunglasses.
The last weekend of the three-week period, Daddy shows off his skillz in the backyard.
Hanging around on a Sunday morning, Meghan works on a puzzle with Daddy in his socks.
Jack (re)discovered these magnetic shapes (b-day present!) and has really enjoyed playing with them over the summer.
A common pose to find Clara in this summer - reading & rereading her favorite books.
A little refreshing lemonade on the picnic table.
Cheers!
Clara & Jack cool off in the misters.
Ready for dinner.
Delicious Locopops for dessert.
As if the cowboy boots weren't enough, Meghan constantly is wearing Jack's & Clara's shoes around the house.
Tuckered out after a busy morning playing.
Devouring some peaches and yogurt for second breakfast.
Our weather this summer has been crazy. It has been as cool a summer for North Carolina as I can remember. I don't know if we've had any highs over 100 and very few in the nineties. Most days in July were partly cloudy, high-eighties, with on and off rain showers. At the time this video was taken, it was the third time we had had a rain shower lasting 10 to 20 minutes with the sun shining for the duration. I always searched the sky out our front door for a rainbow to no avail, and I couldn't figure out why. It was raining, the sun was shining, there should have been a rainbow. The last time, however, I gazed much lower at the trees and spotted one against the greenery. The elusive rainbow was captured on video, it is visible between the two power lines, as well as the sun shining during the pouring rain.
Everyone snuggled into bed reading books.
Whoa! a marathon post. I was waiting for daddy to jump back thru! Discretion was probably the better part of valor there;->
ReplyDeleteAll told, nice memories of a nice July ........