Splashtime!

It's a time-honored tradition-- splashing about in giant puddles made by a big summer storm. We couldn't resist getting outside today to check out Driveway Lake.

Summer is for Silly

School's out, so silly is In at our house. Here, Aves wants to see what her head would look like if it were as big as this pillow.

Gilsum Rock Swap

We went to the Gilsum, NH Rock Swap, a gem, mineral and fossil show. We had a great time looking at all the many different types of rocks available for trade or purchase. Avery 'panned' for minerals at one booth, finding an arrowhead and a tiny little bone, along with a bunch of very cool stones.

Car Pals

The girls are getting to really enjoy traveling with Jack.

Travelin' Fun

We like to head out and about frequently, exploring different parts of our local world (as well as gearing the whole group up for our cross-country excursion later this summer...). Last weekend we went to the Yankee Candle Flagship Store in Deerfield, MA. The store is super-colossal, and sells far more than just candles. We had a great time, and stopped to pose as royalty. The girls are trying to look 'queenly' here (although it looks a bit like they've just given up hope that the governor will call....)

At the Eric Carle Museum

We had a blast at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture book Art in Amherst, Massachusets. It is an awesome museum. We went to help celebrate Eric's 80th Birthday, enjoying in the process birthday cake and a performance by Elizabeth Mitchell of You Are My Flower. We loved the displays of Carle's work as well as Virginia Lee Burton, who wrote some of our favorite books like Mike Mulligan's Steam Shovel and The Little House. The museum's displays are focused on the process of storytelling with art, and really help kids and adult kids see that small sketches can turn into great stories. It is a very 'kid friendly' museum. Jack loved being able to see pictures up close, as well as seeing his Aunt D and Rohan and Teagan.

Favorite ways to spend the day

Avery is the queen of relaxation. Seriously.  If this kid could stay in jammies all day there'd be no hesitation.  She's seen here relaxing on our couch reading a book.  Her reading skills are expanding every day and she greatly enjoys the Junie B books.  Jack is a fan of the exersaucer that we were lucky enough to inherit from our dear friend, Moof.  He just loves the butterflies! And finally, Elli chilling with her friends playing pass the balloon.

Smooth Move

Elli and friends had a tremendous time at the smoothie party. They cut and washed all their fruit; and then prepared smoothies of their own recipes.  Now if only they were as organized with the clean-up....!  The winners of best tasting smoothie were Kelsey and Doris. But a good time was had by all; and Mom greatly enjoyed sampling all the creations!