August 2017

It's been a perfect summer. The kids have played hard, read a ton, been (mostly) screen-free, and structure has been minimal. School starts back tomorrow and I think we're ready for it, though I've done no actual preparation. Hudson is really going to miss his sister but I think she's pretty excited to get back with her friends. In the meantime, a look back at a few happenings last month:

The summer reading program provided us with lots of free ice cream and balls

Had to buy a few more Yumboxes; they're perfect for school lunch, and I figured I'd just make Hudson's up a day ahead as well so of course he needed his own box too.

Summer 'do

When your hair is in your face and you only have a stick instead of hair ties, you make do

It was a lovely, sunny day to check out Field Days

Henri had to examine every. single. item in the handcraft barn. 

The water-effect table was a huge favorite, they didn't want to leave (making Aunt Meg proud!)

Maple milkshakes for all!!! (and maple walnut pie bars for me.....)

We had absolutely gorgeous weather for our trip home

Getting in touch with nature

Crab apple picking

The harvest of a few minutes picking

The much-anticipated day finally dawned

I'd say he had a good day

Anna turned the apples into deliciousness

A much-requested gift, his catchers mask

This time the weather cooperated and we made it to Sunset Ledge

Had creemies just about every day

Blueberry picking at Pelky's

It had been a wet season, so the berries rotted/got wormy very fast, but I was able to make jam, cake, and pie with them

My knitting project for the trip was this hat. Intended it for myself, but it fit Henri better.

The pump is always a hit

Spent a day at the lake

He was shaking with cold but stayed in the water for 4 hours

Some of the onions at the Waitsfield Farmers' Market

They had goat meatballs which Henri adored so Aunt Abi bought her lunch

Gram T had her barn party and this guy showed up

Again, the weather couldn't have been better

Aunt Carol and Uncle Tim did a fantastic job with the decor and food

Hudson made everyone play all the games with him

Doppler experienced a little separation anxiety when his mom left him for 5 minutes, so he got some comforting

Gram's flowers looking festive

Papa's herb garden was the center of a lot of our time (Henri ate most of the stevia I think..), especially because he built the kids a teepee and hung 2 new tire swings for them. Totally spoiled.

Got home (and not happy to have left at all!) and couldn't face the ugliness of our house a minute longer so we pulled out the paint and made some masterpieces

First year both kids have actually played in the water at the spray park

How she spent most of her summer

We didn't do school every day, but we went through the whole first grade math book for review, and got about halfway through 2nd, enough to start carrying 10's and such. Hopefully she'll be where she needs to be. 

Went on a date; kayaking on our pond, then got some cheesecake to go. Decided we needed nuggets as well 

Last game of the regular season for Steve's team

They won, and remain #1 in the league! (That's Steve, 10, about to head for home). Now for the playoffs....

While home we also had a little celebration for Allie and Siena's coming baby but all the pictures are on the actual camera and will not budge onto my computer. Picture a downpour with a double rainbow right after everyone got inside (and was drenched) followed by gifts and a rather delectable spread (if I do say so myself) featuring honey (baklava!!!!). Also photos of all the sisters together for the first time in 2 years. Hopefully the photo card agrees to cooperate soon so I can share them....