Ah ... summer

We are certainly going to miss these days when they are gone. I was visiting with a friend last week and she asked what we were up to this summer. I had to think about it for a few minutes, but then I gave a brief summary of our playdates, pool playtime, zoo visits, and general hanging out. She responded by telling me she'd rather do that than go to work every day. I totally agree.

All things considered, it really has been an incredible summer for our family. Both girls are at fun points right now in their lives and being able to be outside for hours every day usually puts everyone in a good mood and also makes them very tired at bedtime ;)

Last week we had more of the same ... a picnic lunch and Dave Landau concert on Monday, a morning class at Aldo Leopold Nature Center on Tuesday morning, a "pool party" playdate at our house on Wednesday morning, a trip to the splash park on Wednesday afternoon/evening, another playdate on Thursday morning, neighbor Alexia coming over on Friday morning (so I could freeze/can green beans), a birthday party on Saturday, a family bike ride after early church on Sunday, and then another "pool party" on Sunday afternoon. Seriously, what a great schedule. Nothing too crazy, but something to keep us busy just about every day.


Anna seems to be growing up so fast these days. She's making up all kinds of elaborate stories and situations in that crazy mind of hers as well as trying more and more physical activities (thanks partially to her friend, Audrey, who is just a bit more adventurous than Anna and yet very patient with Anna as she tries new things).


As with just about every milestone in her life, Anna approached riding her tricycle/bicycle the same way. She refused to try for the longest time and then the other day everything seemed to click. Tonight she rode her tricycle all the way to the park, played at the park, and then ran home. Hopefully she'll sleep well :)

Kate also seems to be loving life right now, besides all of the mosquito bites and a random vomiting experience in the van on Monday morning on the way to the grocery store. (Thankfully we were able to have an emergency stop at a friend's house for a bucket, a bathtub, some rags, and a place for Anna to play so we wouldn't have to drive 15 minutes home in a very foul smelling vehicle to get cleaned up before going back into town to the store.)


This morning Anna came running into the kitchen and said "Mommy, Kate can RUN now! Watch this." And sure enough, Kate came *almost* running into the kitchen. She's also such a social, goofy kid who loves making other people smile and laugh. Little Kate already has her own repertoire of "jokes" for the rest of us :)

Like I said at the beginning, we will certainly miss these days when they are gone, but I'm sure there will just be other things to enjoy in the days to come.