July and August 😎

After our 4th of July trip, the rest of the summer went quickly. Elise turned 2, Grandma and Grandpa came to visit, and we had back to school things for Lydia to start second grade! In between, there was lots of time spent playing outside in our new play house and with friends.

Most of our summer activities and camps were at the beginning of summer, so we got to enjoy a nice, slow wind-down in July / August before school started. We had a great time but by the very end I was burnt out from having all three home all day. It was good, but a lot. To help, we went to the gym / Kid Zone three mornings a week, and had Ella come babysit two afternoons a week. The kids loved both!

Elise's 2nd birthday! Lydia gave her Veggie Straws and after she opened them,
she wasn't interested in any other presents haha.

We spent the morning at the Children's Museum in downtown Richmond! We usually go to the one close to home so this was a special trip. 

And that night we had a Pink Bunny cake!

Vikki and Einar gave Elise a Birthday Bear and she loved it 🥰 

Eliza was back from college for a few weeks and helped out in nursery! Elise was so happy to see her and stuck right with her. :) 

Lots of play time with Soren!

Elise was finally big enough to start hanging out with the neighborhood kids!

Gma Trudy and Gpa Mark's visit! The first place we went was the bike park. 

Selfie with Gpa :) 

Cool guy showing Grandma the brand new play house 😎 

Reading our fam journals!

Happy birthday Dad! 
We went to The Tobacco Company Restaurant to celebrate and it was so fun. :) 

Lydia made cookies for Gpa

One night Lydia and I took a trip to Lewis Ginter for their lights and art in the garden show.

Lydia and Luke canoed across the lake with Matt

Covered in children!

Cars 101

Luke's been really into fire trucks / fire righters lately, so one night Matt took him to the fire station! The fire fighters were so friendly and showed him the trucks, hoses, uniforms, etc. ☺️ 

Zac, Whitney and the cousins visited! The guys finished the foundation and started the structure of the play house and the cousins played all day. 

The next week, a couple of professionals came over and finished it up.

Lydia filled Elise's crib with toys and they both thought it was hilarious!

This is how many toys Elise usually sleeps with - and she'll notice if anything is missing!

Tiniest - and most apprehensive - dancer!
I asked her "what did you do at ballet?" and she said "I cwied for Mama." 🥺
We did not make her go back haha. Maybe in a few years... 

Lydia at her friend (and school classmate) Tayvin's baptism!

Lydia went to 2 VBSs this summer and had a great time at each. 
She came home with lots of crafts including this sword and shield of faith. :) 

Which inspired Matt made a sword for Luke... and he was instantly obsessed. He became Peter Pan, Puss in Boots, and a pirate!

He said, "I'm gonna fight the Indians!"

But - oh no! They got him first.

Dentist day! So cute how his whole body fits on the backrest hahaha.

Lydia finished the Barnes & Noble summer reading challenge and got a free book!

Bike / walk / stroller ride around the neighborhood.

We spent rainy days at the childrens' museum or Romp n Roll. 

Hydrangea delivery! From our back yard to neighbors. 

We watched Uncle Jordan's med school white coat ceremony
on live stream from Oregon!

The gym crew!
My kids and Erin's kids spent many summer mornings playing together in the gym's Kid Zone.

Playing in a summer rain storm

Visiting Matt's office! The kids' favorite part was the kitchen that was stocked with snacks (including Veggie Straws) and the lake out back with a walking trail. 

And then summer was over! The last Saturday before school we had a little col-de-sac party with a bounce house, water guns, water balloons, bubbles etc.

And the night before school, we roasted marshmallows in the back yard!

First day of 2nd grade!

Walking Lydia to the bus for the first day of 2nd grade!

Donut party at the bus stop :) 

Mrs. O'Brien's second grade class on the first day of school!

Luke and Elise didn't start until after Labor Day so they enjoyed quieter days at home once Lydia started.
Luke is 'reading' Elise a story.

Play doh time :) 

Fun hair for her 2nd day of 2nd grade! 
She slept in wet braids. :) 

So many friends at the bus stop this year! We have about 12 families. It's a party!