Linus' Lessons on Love

Remember how Linus worked so hard at impressing Adeline? Well, obviously it's worked.

Happy Father's Day: Game One with Amelie

If you caught the last post, you may have gathered the details of Duncan's Father's Day gift. We each asked him to "take me out to a ballgame." He could choose to take us all as a family or to take each of us individually. Because of our recent focus on trying to spend individual time with each child, I was pretty sure he'd choose the latter.
This past Monday was Mustache Mania. Show us your 'stache and save some cash, read the promo. Apparently, anyone donning a mustache would receive half-priced lower reserve tickets. Sweet.
Duncan?
He was already taken care of in the 'stache department.
So Amelie and I went to work and made her a mustache of her very own.

So, whatcha think?

Duncan and Amelie had a great time!

Reading the program...

eating Italian ice out of a helmet...

eating Cracker Jacks...
(Side note: Can anyone find them in a box anymore? Depressing!)

riding the merry-go-round...

staying dry...

and, of course, eating peanuts...

You think they watched some baseball? Perhaps. But regardless of whether or not they actually paid attention to the game, they had a fabulous time. And the Baysox won!

Happy Father's Day:The Origin

I need to take a step back and share a little video we made back on June 21st. We were on vacation and it was Father's Day.

Soon, I'll share the first installment of Duncan's gift. It involved Amelie and mustaches. So super cute. Can't wait to share.

Goggle Boy!

Linus is trying his hand (or should I say, face?) at being a Superhero again.

I wonder if they sell prescription goggles. Hmmm...

Lovin' That Sprinkler!

We belong to a pool and visit it often. But there really is nothing like setting up the sprinkler on a hot summer afternoon, is there?

Linus was a bit timid, but giggled an awful lot when that cold water got him.

Violet was a bit intimidated, but had fun running through, when it was at knee-height.

Amelie, on the other hand, couldn't quite get enough.

Here inner-performer shone though.

She even brought Polly out for some fun.

And tried out some dance moves.

Here's to the five-year old who put her face all the way in the water for the first time yesterday at swimming lessons!

Kindergarten, here we come!

Alternative Napping

Our poor Vi Vi. This whole giving-up-the-nap thing is so hard. Sometimes, she doesn't even have enough energy to climb all the way up onto the couch! Or maybe it was that she didn't have enough energy to move her notebook and pen out of the way.

Either way, Vi Vi, so stinkin' cute.

That's what you are, our little thumb-sucker.

A Wedding Day

Yesterday, Amelie and Violet got to experience a childhood dream of mine. They were flower girls in a wedding! Oh yeah, and Linus was a ring(less) bearer too. But that was never a dream 0f mine.

Here's a shot of our three cuties a few minutes before they did their thing--perfectly, I might add!

And on the way to the reception, Linus took a little snooze...

Violet did too...

And Amelie? Well, she was just too excited to close her eyes!

They thoroughly enjoyed the festivities!

Congratulations to Melissa and Cory! It was an honor to be included in your special day!

Wordless Wednesday: Fat Lip

Apres Pool

Arriving home from vacation....
Hitting the pool for a few hours...
Checking out some Schoolhouse Rock while Daddy grilled some steak, potatoes, and corn...
Wearing some super cute bathrobes.

Now that's the life.

With Summering Friends

My friend, Chelsea, was able to see a dream realized. She and her children are "summering" at the beach. And the best part for us? We were invited to summer with them! Well, for a few days at least. We are so grateful for their generosity in including us in their adventure. Chelsea's girls are pretty close in age to my three. So you can imagine what fun was had.

Linus and Lily enjoyed loving on one another.

Here are the oldest five watching tv the first morning we were there.

Amelie tried out Claire's training-wheeled bike and had loads more success than on her new, much bigger bike at home. She had so much success, that Daddy bought her another new (and smaller) bike while we were gone!

Four girls on the boardwalk. My favorite picture of our time there, I think. There's nothing like a bunch of little girls holding hands!

Linus enjoyed some white chocolate-covered pretzels. Gotta love the Candy Kitchen.

Amelie and Addie had fun with one another.

Claire and Violet did too.

What a sweet, sweet time.

Many thanks to our summering friends!

Contrasts

For months after Linus was born, people asked me if it was different to have a little boy after having had two girls. And I could honestly say that it wasn't! All three of my babies were different from one another in various aspects and they were all similar to one another in certain ways, as well. Since Linus was a relatively late walker (nearly 16 months), the differences didn't start to stand out until the last six months or so.

He is nutso!

Into everything.
All over the place.
Rarely still.
Craziness!

At this point, I can honestly say that I see a definite difference between my beautiful ballerinas-- here pictured on the way to their very first ballet class:

and my messy muddy mischievous monkey--pictured here exactly three minutes after we got home from church.

I need to buy some stock in OxiClean and Zout, I guess. I should suggest that you do the same. I'm thinking it'll pay off.