How does your garden grow?

Our garden if flourishing. Zucchini, beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers are busting from the ground. My dad made a fence to go around it - complete with wooden doors - to keep animals away. That combined with good soil left from Dr. and Dr. Former Owners of Our House make for yummy eats to be coming.

My friend Katy gave Sarah some gardening gloves, and she is proving to have a green thumb! Though here she is taking a break from weed pulling to see the effectiveness of gardening gloves on swing pushing...

Fun with the girls

My friend Missi came to visit from D.C. with her baby Hailey... Katy, Missi, and I had a nice girls day together, just like old times.

Hailey and Sarah

Lake Chautauqua

Monday was spent at my brother Tony's lakehouse. Since Chris has to work the weekend, we just went for the day...It was a quick trip, but a short dose of fun for us. It was nice to spend time with my brother's family and my parents.

Little Captain ready for a ride on the boat...
Driving the boat...
Tubing with mommy and daddy...

Painting for Dads

I was excited that I found a sentimental yet practical gift for Father's Day from the kids...Shirts that they make their hand/footprints on. I sure was not prepared for the mess or the ignorance Sarah would have with paint. Silly me, I didn't think she would touch everything, rub paint everywhere, and try to taste it too. Luckily, the shirt came with dummy instructions for me. ("Show child how to make a print by demonstrating your hand on the shirt. Tell them to spread their fingers wide.") Marco and Sarah sure enjoyed the feeling of paint on their extremities and the new experience. Marco was all coos and smiles when I rubbed paint on his feet and Sarah was excited to slather her hands in goo. I am sure I will be seeing paint in unexpected places for awhile.

Kid Furniture

The child developmental books tell me at this stage in Sarah's life when she is wanting more independence, we should be providing her with little kid furniture. On this day, Sarah took it upon herself to make a small perfect sized space to read at with a booster seat and a step stool. I couldn't believe she got this idea all on her own... I happened to be cleaning and turned, and there she was at her new "table".

Surprise, Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Chris's parents. Here they are at their surprise party. I forgot my camera, so sorry I have no pics of the family... Thanks Pam, Ron, and Donna for being our first overnight guests and putting up with our unfinished house...

Design by Daddy

On this day, my sweet Chris let me sleep in while the kids are up early. He could not find a barette for Sarah's hair. If you look closely at the photo, you can see how well he imprivises by what he uses... Yep, a chip clip. It actually matches with the top nicely.