Dance Finale

Sadly, the girls' dance studio wasn't able to pull together a recital for the end of the year. There was talk of a parking lot presentation, but most families still weren't comfortable with the idea, so instead, there is hope for a recital this fall. 

In lieu of a recital, they will produce a video with pictures of the kids in their costumes and video clips of them dancing for the finale. 

The girls were thrilled to don their fancy costumes one more time and we had a photo shoot in the front yard. 

 

 

 

SlimJim didn't get in on the recital photos, but he did manage some chalk "warpaint" somehow that deserved an adorable photo. 

Venturing Out

As things are slowly opening, we are still feeling cautious about being out and about. But we did decide to take a walk downtown at Congress Park to check out the status of downtown and to see the baby ducks. There were a decent amount of people around, some stores open and a few restaurants with outdoor seating. 

It was so nice to be out in the park for a change of scenery. The girls, as always, were enamored by the ducklings and the boys loved chasing the ducks. 

Just the Start of (the Strangest) Summer

Usually we start our summer earlier than the public school kids so at this point the past few years we are finishing up the last of school and trying to squeeze in as many beach days, spray park afternoons, and playground play dates as we can before everything is overrun with big kids. Not that I have anything against big kids-- now that I have two, but typically, parents are less likely to supervise a kid over five. And typically, those kids like to show off for their friends. And typically, that involves partaking in activities where my little guys are inadvertently hit with something or run over. Or WORSE, intentionally hit with something or run over. 

These first few weeks of summer have been nothing like the first few weeks of summer I've had as a parent. We have been home all day, every day. Lots of pool and playground and bike rides and walks. Impressively the kids have not been complaining or begging to go out. I am not missing packing up four kids, towels, bathing suits, snacks, sunscreen, extra clothes, snacks, a picnic blanket, sand toys, snacks, and lunch to go out. But it is certainly odd...

Loving Our Backyard

We have spent so much time in our yard since the quarantine began. And so much time on our yard. Our garden is totally redone and planted. Our landscaping is edged and mulched. We have five planters of flowers. By far the nicest our yard has ever looked. And with nothing else to do we are managing to keep on top of the maintenance. 

Other excitement in our backyard: 

Baby chickadees:

And a beautiful rainbow. 

The Pool Is Up!

It is a scorcher this week!! We put our tiny pool up Wednesday since it was so hot this week. Even with the straight-out-of-the-hose-I-can't-feel-my-toes-freezing-cold water, the kids were in it, day one. Sadly, the pump is broken and we are awaiting a new one from amazon prime (no longer two day shipping), but water is water and the kids have been in multiple times every day since then. To be young again... 

A Much Needed Weekend Away

After more than two months of not leaving our house for much more than an occasional trip to the grocery store, it was such a breath of fresh air to take the long weekend and head to New Hampshire to spend time at Gram and Grumpy's. 

We could have sat on the couch all day and done absolutely nothing, and it would have been amazing just to be out of the house, but there was plenty of playing in the yard, walks in the neighborhood, trampolining, bonfires and swimming in the hot tub to make the weekend extra fantastic. 

These Kids...

Can certainly be challenging, but they have really stepped up to the plate in these "uncertain times" and have been getting along so well and being so helpful. I couldn't ask for anything more.