Imperial March

The summer continues to roll along. Lily and Jack are busy with camp and pre-school and lots of time at the pool. It was super hot here this week so we spent lots of time in the water. Jack is becoming a pro about going under water and going down the slide. Lily is jumping in off the diving board (trying to learn how to dive properly) and swimming like a fish!

Lily had her second week at her second camp of the summer. She loves the projects and pool time. Last week they had a field trip to the local Whole Foods where she learned to make sushi. She brought it home and it was pretty good - Jack especially liked it but Lily would not actually try it.

On Tuesday night we had our last visit with Aunt Tracy and Casey before they headed back to Colorado. We also saw Grandma Gail, Grandpa Tom and Aunt Kelly. On Wednesday there was was a play date for the kids with neighborhood friends Marley and Jack.

On Friday night we went to eat a local restaurant called Piratz Tavern - nice ambiance but food, not so much. The kids really liked it though. We followed that up with a showing of Cars 2 which was pretty disappointing but I am not the target demographic.

On Saturday, Lily and Jack went out for a fun breakfast with Grandpa Maurice. Pancakes and good conversation were had by all from what I hear. We followed up breakfast with pool time and then dinner with friends Andy and Jenn.

Sunday was more time at the pool and then the weekend was finished off with the kids first screening of Star Wars. Needless to say, they loved it.

On to the pictures ... we have been a little heavy on the Jack photos recently but we will try to balance it out next week.

Also, very happy birthday wishes this week to Cousin Emilie and Grandma Phyllis!


Jack got a new Captain America costume ... it is tough to pry it off of him ... even when it is 102 outside.


At the Piratz Tavern.


Jack likes to sleep on the edge of the bed!


Friends Charlotte and Beatrice are moving to Vermont so we stopped by to say goodbye.

Young Americans

Lily had a good first week at her new camp. She swims in the morning, and does arts, crafts, drama, and cooking in the afternoon. Her field trip was to Imagination Stage to see Wind in the Willows, this week her field trip is to Whole Foods to learn how to make sushi - we can't wait for the result! Jack had a good week back at school, with a day of water play.

We spent a lot of last week at the pool. Lily is able to tread water and can make her way all across the pool doing freestyle and backstroke. She is ready for swim team but is very nervous about joining next year. Jack is all about going down the slide, and will literally go down for 45 minutes straight until break. He still has to be caught but is working on using his arms and legs to get to the wall.

Lily started piano lessons on Thursday. She is very enthusiastic about learning and even sat down to practice this afternoon, will try to get some video in the coming weeks.

We had a fun, busy weekend. We went to a goodbye party at a local park for friends Julie, Paul, Beatrice, and Charlotte who are moving to Vermont very soon - we are sad to see them go. On Sunday, we visited Aunt Kelly at her apartment in D.C. and were joined by Grandpa Tom, Grandma Gail, cousin Casey, Aunt Tracy, and Uncle Stan - we had lunch and a trip to a local playground. Later in the day Lily got some new running shoes and a haircut, sometimes we look at her and don't know where the time has gone, she is tall, with very long legs, growing her hair long, and is now wearing a size 2 shoe. Jack is all about Captain America these days. He got two Captain America books with playing cards, and was relentless in his request for a Captain America costume - as there is no special occasion coming up, we ordered the costume so expect some Cap Amer pics next week, he has stated his intentions to wear it to school.

We have been terrible with taking pics so enjoy the few pics we did take, will try to be better this week...


Jack very excited about his new sheets and underwear.


At the park.


Watching the women's world cup final - not so into the game.

Missed the Boat

Just returned from an 8 day trip to Lake Gaston...

Prior to going to the lake Lily finished her second week of Audubon Camp, specifically Water Works, which she absolutely loved. Both kids also finished a second week of swim lessons, both have made good progress - Lily's breathing and stroke is getting much better and Jack is much more comfortable in the water to the point where he announced that he could swim on the deep end and go down the slide without being caught. Essentially we are going to need to put Jack's swimmies on before he enters the pool as he has no fear!

We left for Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom's lakehouse on Friday and were joined by Aunt Tracy, Aunt Kelly, Uncle Stan, cousin Casey, and cousins Alli, Davis, and Alex. Lily and Jack were all about jumping in the water from the dock and going down the slide over and over again. Jack often announced "Grampa, I want to jump to you over and over again until lunch time." - this was usually at about 10am. Lily swam quite a bit without her life jacket and was very comfortable in the water. Both kids knee boarded and rode the hot dog. Lily especially enjoyed the Gladiator and we were able to go a little faster than in past years. We had a great time, jumping from one activity to the next and the kids were thoroughly exhausted when we returned home on Saturday. We had some camera problems so we still are in the process of getting pics and video from Grandpa Tom.

On Sunday, the kids had a babysitter while Mom and Dad attended a wedding. Jack had his first bee sting while in the care of the babysitter, fortunately he recovered relatively quickly and had no reaction. Jack was back at school today and Lily started a new camp, she swims in the morning and does arts and crafts in the afternoon, and tomorrow will take a field trip to Imagination Stage. Will give you a full report next week. Enjoy the few pics we have...


Getting ready to kneeboard.


All set.


And away we go.


Slip and slide.