End of August {a Visit from Big Daddy}

During one of our trips to the library, the girls found a princess hairstyle book.  Let me just say that if you have girls who rarely want to do anything with their hair beyond brushing it (if that!), you should give this book a try.  Our bathroom has been transformed into a styling salon and we're having so much fun!  

Bridgette needed a new helmet.  She was so excited about the one we found at Target, she decided she needed to wear it for the rest of our time shopping! (Yes, she is wearing her swimsuit.  I can't remember why, but I know there is a good reason!)

Trying out the new helmet - "It matches my scooter!"

I.  Love.  This.

Ryan was away for a training course and I had a family orientation meeting that week for the homeschool group we have joined.  I offered to host the meeting.  Nothing like welcoming a dozen total strangers into your home to kick the unpacking motivation into high gear.

Since Ryan was away, I challenged the kids to put themselves to bed while the parents were having our meeting downstairs.  We practiced the night before.  I had them mostly ready for bed and set up with a video before people started arriving.  They knew what was expected after the video ended and a reward was offered.  It was SO FUN to reward them when they met the challenge!  I was so proud of them!  A new lovie from Ikea for all! =)

Mom and Rooke on the lose with a wonky shopping cart while the girls played in the kids' room.

Saturday morning after Ryan got home we walked on the "woodland" trail near our house to the neighborhood farmer's market.  

Sunday morning we left a little early for church to surprise the kids with a stop to a shop we'd passed many times already.  Yum!

Big Daddy came for Labor Day weekend!  My mom was visiting friends out of town, so we encouraged Dad to give up his quiet, relaxing weekend of watching sports without interruption to join our chaotic fun for a few days!  It's a good thing he loves us so much. =)

After BBQ for lunch, we went to the gorgeous Great Falls National Park.  Truly beautiful!    

KayeK is usually the one giving nature lessons.  Apparently Dad felt he needed to fill that role while she was away!

The kids are blessed that both their Big Daddy and their G Daddy will get down on the floor and play with them!

Dinner is over, the sun is setting, and someone is scoring a touchdown. 

I LOVE this.  Dad was reading his Bible on the front porch.  Slowly, each of the kids joined him with a book or Bible in hand.  He patiently allowed them into his quiet time, shared what he was reading about, and in doing so watered seeds he has faithfully been planting in their little lives.   

We celebrated Uncle Steve's birthday together with BBQ and German Chocolate cake!

 

Before taking Dad back to the airport, we spent a beautiful afternoon at Gravelly Point Park. 

Adventure Days

We soaked up the hot summer weather last month.  Maybe a little too much heat some days!  Mango Turtles are always a yummy afternoon snack =)

One of the things I love about living in the DC area are the easy opportunities for "Adventure Days" - the kind of day where you leave mid-morning with a picnic lunch and a plan to keep everyone happy and busy for the rest of the day, working in two or three school subjects while exploring something new.

Adventure Day to the Navy Yard:

Once a month, the Navy Museum hosts a science project for homeschoolers.  Yes, please!  I didn't know we were supposed to bring our own two-liter bottles, so we ran to the corner store and purchased three two-liters of soda.  The kids thought it was so fun to take a few drinks before "watering" the grass with the rest of the liquid so our science project could commence. =)

Of all the rockets launched, Bridgette's had the record for greatest distance traveled at 75 feet!

After launching and picnicking, we checked out the surprisingly impressive museum.  We only made it through the first half and are already looking forward to going back to see the rest.

We learned the basics of how a submarine works, and played with the working periscopes for.ev.er.  

After changing into swimsuits, we walked (and rested) along the Anacostia River . . .

 . . . to the Yards Park where the kids had the shallow pool mostly to themselves. 

The ice cream shop around the corner gave everyone the energy needed (and gave us a chance to dry off) as we walked back to the van parked at the Navy Yard.  Such a FUN day for everyone!

 Adventure Day to Rock Creek Park:

We took our notebooks to the Rock Creek Park nature center and spent time looking and drawing.  Gretchen loved how her sketch of the Blue Heron turned out.

The kids got to help feed the turtles. 

Rock Creek Park has a free planetarium!  It was the girls' first planetarium show - we all loved it.  The ranger told some great stories.  We went on a nature walk and started working on our junior ranger badges before heading home.  If it wasn't for all the traffic, we'd be at Rock Creek Park on a regular basis!

Moving Week - with family visiting!

Two weeks in and our house is starting to feel like home.  Here's a look back at moving week, which was wonderful and absolutely more crazy than we'd anticipated!!

The kids and I started the week at Walter Reed hospital for a medical appointment (all is well).  On our way out, we passed by these deer - just enjoying the greenery of the hospital grounds!  We quietly watched for a while

Aunt Vallerie met us at the house to help with some cleaning.  In the time it took us to get to the house, this little one was coming down with a bug.  She literally laid down on the floor and went to sleep.  Her fever didn't last long, but she was not feeling like herself for the rest of the week.  Read: our four-year-old had come to the end of her limit with transitions and being flexible, and she was going to need some extra attention and care.  

Taking a break from cleaning the house with a little more exploring and picnicking in Rock Creek Park. 

The movers arrived!  We had to be out of the hotel the day before, so we stayed the night with Steve and Vallerie.  Ryan had a training at work and wasn't able to be at the house with me.  Thankfully, Vallerie had the day off from work and kept the kids for me while I directed boxes and furniture.  We were blessed by a group of men who all professed faith in Christ and worked with joyfulness!  

I hate watching people move a piano.

Later in the day Steve, Vallerie, and the kids went to the airport to pick up Aubyn and Evelynn!  What moving day doesn't need fun family flying into town?!  

This move had the most "casualties" of our stuff.  It's just stuff, but this time they lost our bed.  (It has since been located.  It's still in Minot.)  So that night Ryan ran to our local Ikea and bought a mattress and we pretended we were college newlyweds again.  

This same weekend, Kaye K and Big Daddy had been planning Cousin Camp (for grandchildren ages 6 and up).  Aubyn flew with Evelynn.  My parents drove into town late Thursday night, and the next morning took the three big cousins away for a LOT of fun on the beach!  Which left Aubyn with us - a total win/win!  I wish I could say that the weekend was a breeze.  Three adults to one kid is a dream, right?!  Sadly, little B was still not feeling well, and also suffering from a broken heart that she was too young to go to Cousin Camp.  Aunty Auby was the best person to be with us that weekend.  She loved with grace and patience for all of our bad attitudes!  And helped me power through the kitchen boxes in no time at all.   

Some sibling Facetiming . . 

A break from the house for a Saturday morning breakfast out.

Vallerie stayed with Bridgette one night so Ryan, Aubyn, and I could go on one of Steve's bus tours.  He is a fantastic tour driver!  It was such a treat to see the sights on his bus with my sister and husband as the sun set over the incredible city we now get to call home.  Definitely the highlight of the weekend for me!

After church on Sunday, Aubyn and I had lunch on the Hill and then ventured over to an art museum.  I made her pose for this picture.  Just reminding her of her roots (even though I think it's great that she's basically a Canadian).  

As if the weekend hadn't been full and fun and crazy enough . . . Gramma turned 91!!  With so many of her family in town, we met the Cousin Campers at Gramma's home and squeezed in a little birthday party for the special lady before Aubyn and Evelynn went to the airport.  Vallerie made cupcakes, had ice cream and decorations and party hats - all the makings of a perfect birthday celebration for Gramma.

Wearing their Cousin Camp t-shirts

Uncle Steve is SUCH a good sport to put up with their shenanigans!