The Week

The "Star of the Week" finished up camp. The week at camp ended with a Box Car Derby Race. Throughout the month of July, all the kids made their own Box Car and decorated it. The race and picnic was on Thursday.

Grannie came over on Wednesday and hung out. Jenna enjoyed reading with her.

On Tuesday, Ava lost another tooth (3 in all for those who are keeping track), and on Wednesday, Amelia lost her tooth (3 in all for those who are keeping track).

Jenna started the week out sick - vomiting, and just not herself..

Here's a rare photo - Jenna crashed out on our sofa.

Jenna didn't eat much all week, but sure kept up with her fluids! She's better now!

We ended the week with two parties. One for Drew's birthday, and on Sunday some of my friends from high school came over for a swim! Now...to recoup.....

The Birthday Boy

The girls and I have been working all week on this special surprise for Drew's birthday. We decorated our kitchen door windows in a colorful underwater scene. We put it up last night to surprise Drew on his birthday.

Here the girls are showing Drew the surprise - including "Cowboy" Drew riding a dolphin.


Look at that sweet smiling face!



Pool party- pool cake!

After the party........ -presents!

Lots of clothes, pillows, chocolates, and books.

Drew is 12 today! He woke up late - very teenager like, hung out here and waited for his pool party. Grannie, Uncle Jon, Josh, Collin, Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle Steve, Heather, and cousins Abigail, Bethany and Olivia all came over for some pool time and some favorite Drew food - quiche, crabcakes and spinach dip.

Thanks everybody for coming and for all the great gifts.

Happy, Happy Birthday to my special son. Love you.

HOT, HOT, HOT

I purchased great O's tickets for today. We were planning on going with Drew too, but it was just so hot that Drew stayed back with Jenna & Grandma. We made it through four innings and had to call it. 99 degrees on the field at the first pitch. So stinkin hot, but my camera was working just fine! :)

Just Another Week in the Summer.......

Ava and Jenna at their night of beauty.... manicure anyone?

My beautiful princesses all done up (hair, nails, face paint, crowns, fairy wands) with their prince. - A Princess Party - all sponsored by The Arc of Frederick County.

Amelia really, really blue...missing her brother and sisters, actually, having a super time with her dad all to her self at the Urbana Carnival.

Jenna using the potty for a placemat. Actually she's been using the potty correctly this week!


With record breaking heat this week (over 100 degrees) lots of pool time!

Lots of pool time!!!


Pool time after dinner is the best!!


The girls attended dreaded CAMP this week! Actually Vacation Bible School wound up being the best! Here the girls are showing us some of their songs and dances they learned. Thank you to the Arkansas Ablondi cousins...... Ava taught our church a new prayer - "Tick Tock". Ava also met some boys, and one even told her she was cute! I've said it before, and I will say it again.....oh boy.

Cousin Collin spent the day with us on Friday. Here Andrew and Collin are making music with Paper Jamz.

Summer Fun Weekly Recap

Sweet Jenna's baby hand!


My girls at "Tomboy Tea" at the Library.




Jenna's distraction at "Tomboy Tea". Dora on the computer!

Ava learned how to ride without training wheels this week! Go Ava!

Sister dress up time.

Andrew home from summer school with his cool hat he made.

The "best" part of The American Girl Doll store in Tysons - the escalator!

The girls posing with the doll of the year "Kanani". We did enjoy our fancy American Girl Doll dinner with our friends, Carolyn, Atlee and Carole.

Sunflowers

It's that time of year again... Sunflowers are in full bloom! Just beautiful!

And to note... the not so beautiful..

my nagging/screaming at Dave in the sunflower field, begging for him to try and keep Jenna from smacking the bees off of every sunflower she came across!

I'm sure all those there for a peaceful time with nature enjoyed hearing me. :)

Summertime Fun

Our first week back from vacation was a good one!

Dave took the girls on a bike ride on the 4th. We then had a bbq. Dave and I saw plenty of fireworks on the horizon here in our new neighborhood. The kids were....asleep..... but, we did promise them we would go the carnival fireworks in a few weeks. Amelia had a friend over on Thursday - lots of pool time and fort building fun. We took the girls blueberry picking this morning. Lots of huge, sweet blueberries! We enjoyed our Jimmie Cone Saturday tonight. Drew began his summer school this week. We also met with the volunteers from Make A Wish. (We found out while on vacation that Andrew's doctor nominated him for a wish and the paperwork was approved!) Two volunteers came to the house to meet us bearing gifts for the kids. Now we need to have Drew give us some wish ideas. :) Not a bad start to July!

Corolla, NC 2011

Grandma & Grandpa with the grandkids (minus Eileen).

There we are - Family photo June 2011.

Grandpa, Jenna & Grandma - poolside.

Surfer girl Ava.


Not many boysie boys can pull off pink sunglasses. So cool!




Amelia in her blue chair - year number 8.


THANK YOU Grandma & Grandpa for a fun-filled week at the beach!

2 yrs 3 months

We're back from the beach! More pictures to follow tomorrow. :)