Bountiful on Sunday, July 8, 2012

Our garden has been a bit neglected this past week with the storm aftermath, clean up of our yard, and then the weekend heat keeping us mostly indoors. So imagine my surprise, when we wandered over to our garden this evening. Zucchini the size of my leg! The tomatoes are coming along, and my pumpkin vines are everywhere. Our poor pepper plants are lost somewhere in the middle of all of this. Zucchini anyone?

Aaargh! on Sunday, July 8, 2012

Today we took the a pirate cruise down the Potomac River.  Mom and Dad enjoyed the narration (from the Scottish-accented shipmate) while I enjoyed styrofoam sword fights with my fellow kid passengers. I was named William Sparrow of the Potomac River Pirates.  At one point, we all yelled out to a passing boat; they were so scared that they changed their course. I must say that I had much sympathy for our pirate captain as he wore full pirate regalia on this sweltering hot day. Even along the river there was not much breeze.  Good news is that we are to expect a break in the weather this week.

Weather Woes on Friday, July 6, 2012

It has been a crazy week, starting with a freak storm last Friday night.  I slept right through it but the whipping wind knocked down branches and tree limbs, threw our patio furniture around, and finished off by taking out our power for five days.  We attempted to make the most of it--ate out lots, spent one night in a hotel, and spent a lot of time in the basement.  On the afternoon of July 4, the power was restored.  We spent the day in anticipation!  We also enjoyed our neighborhood's parade and picnic, some time at the pool, and our own fireworks display in the backyard.  You will see from the video below that I led the parade.  Though, someone forgot to tell me that it was a parade not a race.  I got to the end and declared, "I won." By the end of the day, we all fell asleep exhausted in our almost-cool home, listening to the big fireworks in the distance.

Change of Scenery on Tuesday, June 26, 2012

I said good bye to my cousins after joining them on a mission into DC--to travel by Metro to the Spy Museum. I left them in the good hands of Moppy and Pop to continue their DC stopover while we left town and headed for the mountains. My dad usually has some days off at the end of each fiscal quarter, so we decided to rent a cabin in Luray, along the Shenandoah River and set against the Shenandoah Mountains. In addition to enjoying the views, canoeing, and other cabin activities (relaxing on the hammocks, building campfires and s'mores, putting together a puzzle, playing horseshoes and darts, and climbing up and down the ladder to the loft AKA "my apartment"), we also took in some of Luray's sites, foremost being Luray Caverns. And, how lucky we are; the weather is pitch perfect.

 

House Guests on Sunday, June 24, 2012

Moppy, Pop, Ella, and Jack arrived this afternoon on the first stop of their week-long adventure. They are spending a few days doing DC museums before moving onto the beach. How much fun to have them here! I took them to one of my favorite local spots--the fountain at Buzz Bakery.  We had a watery blast!  After dinner and cupcakes, all hand picked, we played hide and seek with walkie talkies, had more water fun in the backyard, enjoyed a few rounds of Zingo, and caught jarfuls of fireflies.  And, we are still not tired yet!  Jack is attempting to read us to sleep (I will let you know how that works out).

Beating the Heat on Thursday, June 21, 2012

Boy, is it hot! No worries. We are beating the heat by staying indoors or finding cool spots outdoors.  After camp today, my buddy, Nicholas, and I enjoyed some popsicles while hiding out behind the shed. We started to make a fort until our interests were diverted inside where we formed a rock band. Later I tried out my water hopscotch (and, of course, enjoyed another popsicle).  

Busy Making Summertime Memories on Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Today's heat let us know that summer is in full swing.  And, we are busy enjoying this carefree season.  I keep asking for reassurance that it is not a school day.  Even though I am enjoying a week of camp in my school, in the same classroom, it is quite different.  "One of my teachers is a teenager!"  Other early summertime memories include...

An Ice Cream Date with Lily
("Did you even know that I am going to marry her.")

A Daddy Morning at the Playseum

 

The Closing of my First T-Ball Season

Playing in the my Favorite Fountain

 Swimming Lessons with Lindsay

Everwonder Camp

(theme of Castles, Kingdoms, Knights and Princesses)

 

Day at the Lavender Farm

 

Father's Day on the Cove

 

Parental Units on Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Happy Anniversary to my parents. I sure am glad that they had the sense to get married eight years ago! We celebrated all together at our compromised favorite local restaurant, Lost Dog Cafe, followed by a stop in the Beer Garden (where there is something for everyone!). Even the heat did not bother us on this happy occasion.

Dads' Day on Sunday, June 17, 2012

I toast all dads, uncles, grand-dads, and great grand-dads. 
Happy Father's Day!

Summer = Beach on Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Now, summer can officially begin.  I dipped my toes in the ocean; actually, I dipped a lot more than my toes.  I let waves crash over me, and I liked it!  Of course, I also participated in all of my other favorite summertime beach activities: making Candy Kitchen decisions, eating Ruthie's donuts, swimming in the pool (excited that I can touch the bottom of the pool this year), playing mini golf, building sand castles, running on the beach, riding the trolley, and, of course, hanging out with Moppy and Pop.

Officially Summer! on Friday, June 9, 2012

Today was my last day of school. We closed out the year with a little picnic (on Wednesday)--here I am with my classmates and teachers. Next year--the 4's class and school every day of the week. "Good heavens," I say. But, in the meantime, it is time for summer fun!