Our summer has started off anything but typical. We went to Honduras while the girls had many play dates. Jeremy’s dad also fought his final battle against pancreatic cancer. (I want to post on this, but it will wait.) This feels like the first week of summer to me; although I think we had one or two week before we left for Honduras that would be similar. The pictures are from the last few weeks, as we tried to put a little normalcy into life, and from this week, as they were set free.
LEHMAN’S FUN DAYS… This is often a highlight of the girls’ summer. Lehman’s has a big celebration – Customer Appreciation Days – in the summer. They have face painting, free samples, games, ice cream available, and (the absolute best part) horse rides. This year was no exception. The girls LOVE being able to ride the horses. They like learning their names, and the feeling they get when they are up high on that horse. This year we rode Utah and Cowboy from Skyview Ranch.
Madison wanted to get her face painted, which is something we typically do. The line was long. Ellie chose to go ride the horses again rather than wait in line. Madison and I waited at least 45 minutes for a butterfly on her cheek --- which she washed off less than two hours later…
RAIN and MUD… We have not had much rain, but it has been appreciated when it came. One day, the girls wanted to “gear up” to go out in it. They inspected the garden and then came back in shortly after.
The next time, they went out expecting puddles and mud. When they discovered it hadn’t rained enough to produce either, they took matters into their own hands. I watched the magic unfold when I went out to watch them play about 30 minutes into their creative inspiration.
FAMILY and HOLIDAYS… Somewhere in here, my side of the family crammed in a birthday celebration that included 9 people! It was a good time of swimming, train rides, food, and conversation. It was even good weather for all of it.
There was also the Fredericksburg 4th of July Parade. Jeremy’s brother (Jason), his wife (Niki), and their son (Theo) stayed with us a few days over the Fourth. It was fun to have guests in the house. And especially fun having cousin Theo here; he is going on two and is a very charming boy. The girls would have liked to have him here all summer! One thing we learned at the parade is that it is best to wave at the floats and people; it is more entertaining, you are nicer, and there is a chance they will throw candy. Madison was an excellent waver.
