It's about to get super busy as I go back to work next week (first time in 7 years.....drum roll please!) so who knows when I'll get around to taking pictures or posting. So I'll catch you up with life to this point:
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| We met up with the kids in VT for a week of home relaxing and got to pick up Mom's CSA at Elmer Farm |
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| The tomatoes were delicious! |
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| The pick-your-own bouquet was a hit |
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| Steve had a goal of daily maple creemees |
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| The kids agreed it was a good plan |
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| Field Days, and we got to watch the ox pull |
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| Super hot, but bearable in the shade |
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| Maple milkshakes |
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| Kids first time at the Demolition Derby. It poured shortly after arrival so we only watched a few heats, but still a hit |
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| Went to the Maple Barn for a second time to wait out the deluge |
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| All sorts of wildlife and critters on my runs |
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| Outran the sun |
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| Lake day! |
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| Followed by.....more creemees! |
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| Back at Field Days; my yearly treat and obsession. SO GOOD!!! |
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| Henri learned how to make lace |
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| One of the twins we saw twice (once while out on a walk with Mom) |
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| Progress on the kitchen. A lot further now; the electricians have come, all wall demo is done, and Steve re-sheetrocked the ceiling and walls. Woohoo! |
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| Probably only 5 year old who has been asking for a back scratcher for his gift for the past year. He's enjoying it thoroughly. |
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| Went to play in the creek with friends for his birthday |
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| And then Little India for lunch for naan and rice (and pekoras!). His dinner was at 5 Guys, and then he had a chocolate cake with chocolate icing and chocolate ice cream with chocolate sprinkles. Lots of treats. |
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| Esme decided to remind us she has almost 260K on her and needed a little attention. |
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| He got swim goggles as well and practiced in our "pool". |
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| Kids getting their own breakfast...the bananas are kept on top of the fridge |
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| Probably the last trip to Wingaersheek of the season with our boys. Everyone is in school this fall and I'm going to seriously miss our weekly "therapy" sessions. |
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| Despite having a new huge table, we're reduced to sitting at the kids spot while the renovation occurs. |
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| And then the kids and I met up with Allie and Siena and Abrie to camp!!!! |
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| There was a playground close by |
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| And a swimming beach |
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| BUT Siena booked us a spot right on the lake with our own private access and swimming spot. It was glorious. |
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| He might not have been enamored of the whole sleeping thing, but mornings in the tent were pretty awesome! |
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| Dusk views from "our" beach. |
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| Gorgeous |
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| It was a challenge to light our fires because Henri wanted to read our kindling |
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| My kids loooooved having A there. So much adoration, he was such a good camper and took so much delight in every item he found to examine. |
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| Wooden spoon, rocks, pinecones, sticks...so many things to discover and figure out and did I mention how much fun he had??? |
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| The food was plentiful and delicious and cooked over an open flame that we built ourselves. |
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| Huckleberries! I'd never had one, and on our walk around the lake we encountered loaded bushes. Delicious, even Hudson liked them. |
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| Our big adventure. We took everyone out in the canoe. Great idea, right? They all love the water! Um, 2 out of the 3 kids are screaming and/or quietly sobbing here....and for the entire trip. |
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| But the adults had a good time! We even managed to snag the elderberries we'd spotted on our walk and medicinal syrup is being made in anticipation of a germy school season. |
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| Lots of swimming |
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| Can't see the other tree, but rest assured I performed an impressive parking job with Esme. Who ran beautifully for the trip and maintained a respectable 65/70 the entire way. |
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Lots of read aloud, Siena introducing them to the book of Pippi Longstocking and it was as big of a hit as the movie.
Even in the midst of post-camping laundry and exhaustion melt downs by the kids the overwhelming impression of this camping trip was relaxation and "right"; everything just flowed so well. And maybe they were being kind, but I really think Allie and Siena enjoyed their time as well. Very hopeful to make this an annual sisters and cousins camping trip.
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While I can't believe the summer is over, I feel like we fit plenty of fun in and I'm ready for the next chapter to start. Or will be, once I finally get my lesson plans for the first week written....
