The First Day

There are more pictures to follow, but this is the only one that I took with my phone-and I am currently blogging from my phone. Love being able to do that!

They all had a great first day! Sophie and Charis don't start until next week, but these three sweeties had a good beginning. Nothing dramatic. Nothing overwhelmingly exciting. Just generally good. Calm. Not negative. I'll take it.

The biggest hit was that, even though she's only in 3rd grade, Abby gets to use a BINDER this year for some of her subjects. This is very exciting because (in case you were somehow unaware) binders are typically reserved for 6th grade. And even more importantly, Emma didn't get to use binders until 6th grade. This is a big deal folks!!

It was so fun to hear their stories, to hear all 3 of them comparing their experiences to last year, to feel the complete relief that none of them were too nervous, and to settle back into a routine again.

Wordless Wednesday

Our Summer Project

Emma would like to take you on a tour of our garden! Please take note that even though Emma is now 5 feet 4 inches tall, the tomato plants are actually taller than she is. Unbelievable!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Dorney Park

Yes, I feel badly that this is not a great picture of Abby, but it's the only shot I got of all five of them together all day.  Dorney Park is actually a pretty big part of our summer.  Last year and this year, thanks to Gramma and Papa Wise, we've had season passes and have gone to the park several times a month.  I never bring my big camera because it's too bulky to take on rides...plus I'm always scared that something is going to happen to it.  But this year for my birthday, Rob and the kids got me a smaller camera that is also fully waterproof and submergeable!  It's been awesome!  I highly recommend it!  I've used it at the beach, at the amusement park, in sand, under water (wait til you see!) and it's been fantastic.  So....our first pictures of our trips to Dorney!

 Abby and Nate and I usually hang out together, while Rob and the bigger girls take in the roller coasters.  There's plenty of rides for all age levels, so this is the perfect summer activity for our family with our large span of ages!

 Ask the kids on two different days if they prefer the "dry" park or the water park and you'll get two different answers.  We can't decide.  Some days we love the roller coasters and some days it's all about the water rides!

Beach Day!

For my birthday at the end of June, we spent the day at the beach in Ocean City, NJ.  Not my favorite beach, for an entire list of reasons.  But it's only 2 hours from our house, so its a reasonable destination for a day trip.  The kids had a great time boogie boarding, catching snails, collecting shells, and playing in the sand.  For me, it was wonderful to spend the day together, to enjoy to the ocean and the sunshine, and to have an entire day with nothing to do!

Proof that I was actually there! 

Why yes, that IS a snail on Sophie's nose.

Happy Summer from us to you