Mid August

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:

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

The tomatoes were delicious!

The pick-your-own bouquet was a hit

Steve had a goal of daily maple creemees

The kids agreed it was a good plan

Field Days, and we got to watch the ox pull

Super hot, but bearable in the shade

Maple milkshakes 

Kids first time at the Demolition Derby. It poured shortly after arrival so we only watched a few heats, but still a hit

Went to the Maple Barn for a second time to wait out the deluge

All sorts of wildlife and critters on my runs

Outran the sun

Lake day!

Followed by.....more creemees!

Back at Field Days; my yearly treat and obsession. SO GOOD!!!

Henri learned how to make lace

One of the twins we saw twice (once while out on a walk with Mom)

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!

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.

Went to play in the creek with friends for his birthday

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.

Esme decided to remind us she has almost 260K on her and needed a little attention. 

He got swim goggles as well and practiced in our "pool".

Kids getting their own breakfast...the bananas are kept on top of the fridge

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. 

Despite having a new huge table, we're reduced to sitting at the kids spot while the renovation occurs. 

And then the kids and I met up with Allie and Siena and Abrie to camp!!!!

There was a playground close by

And a swimming beach

BUT Siena booked us a spot right on the lake with our own private access and swimming spot. It was glorious. 

He might not have been enamored of the whole sleeping thing, but mornings in the tent were pretty awesome!

Dusk views from "our" beach.

Gorgeous

It was a challenge to light our fires because Henri wanted to read our kindling

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. 

Wooden spoon, rocks, pinecones, sticks...so many things to discover and figure out and did I mention how much fun he had???

The food was plentiful and delicious and cooked over an open flame that we built ourselves.

Huckleberries! I'd never had one, and on our walk around the lake we encountered loaded bushes. Delicious, even Hudson liked them. 

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.

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. 

Lots of swimming

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.

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.

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....