More hot weather, more swimming!

We had visitors this weekend: Bebe and Papa Rick! It was also the hottest weekend of summer. So we went swimming. Again. Of course. And we are going back for more today. :)

One Thousand Gifts, 5-16

5. Sweet, loyal doggies
6. Reading story after story to my kids
7. Family gathered around the table for dinner
8. Choosing new books from the library
9. Holding Tessie’s sweet new baby boy
10. A (mostly) clean house
11. Time with just my baby girl
12. New friends joining us for dinner
13. Listening to the big kids play Cinderella
14. Watching Sophie climb on the couch and slide back down
15. Joy on JJ’s face while playing at the pool
16. Dinner with all four of our parents

Outdoor Play

The kids keep asking to play outside, but it is the hottest week of summer. This is about all Mama is game for!

Current Favorite Reads of the Little Ones

We read lots and lots of books each day. Here are the current favorites. Mama has most of these memorized!

Annie
Fancy Nancy, by Jane O'Connor
Berenstain Bears, by Stan and Jan Berenstain
Chicken Soup with Rice, by Maurice Sendak

JJ
Berenstain Bears, by Stan and Jan Berenstain
Llama Llama, by Anna Dewdney
Curious George, by H.A. Rey

Sophie
One, Two, Three! by Sandra Boynton
Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown
Moo, Baa, La La La, by Sandra Boynton

One Thousand Gifts, 1-4

I've decided to start a new Monday series, keeping track of the everyday blessings the Lord gives. My own One Thousand Gifts. Here are a few to begin:

1. cooler mornings for walking the pups
2. family movie night
3. cuddles and conversation with my big girl after naps
4. first kicks from Munchkin

Munchkin: Four Months

Almost 17 weeks now. I'm finally over the nausea this month--yay! And excited to find out soon if we are having a boy or a girl. I'm starting to feel little movements. I think that's my favorite part of pregnancy. And I'm going to need maternity clothes soon. So far I've been getting by with light summer dresses but I'm not sure how much longer those will hold out. :)

Boston

The Gent and I have just returned from a lovely trip to Boston. Sophie got to tag along, too. We enjoyed soaking up the history of this great American city!

little Peanut thinks she's so big


view from our hotel window--hello, Charles River and MIT!


with her Daddy on the Freedom Trail


Fenway


waiting for the ferry with Mama


While we were in Boston, Honey and Poppa surprised us by not only keeping the big kids and the dogs happy, fed, and entertained, but also refinishing the dining room table, installing our new chandelier (love love love!), putting a new top on the kids' playroom table, installing some shelving, fixing our screen door, cleaning the house, doing the laundry, and probably some other things I haven't noticed yet.

Wednesday Cuties

Sophie: 14 months

Sophie at 14 months! She could walk on her own but she refuses to let go of my fingers. As soon as she realizes she is standing alone she sits down. She'll walk when she wants to and not before! She has learned a few more words. She loves to play peek a boo and wave bye bye. Sophie wants to eat exactly what the big kids have. She wants to play with them, too. She does not like to be left out. She has been having lots of fun in her play kitchen lately. She also loves to stack blocks. Her walking may be on the late end, but her fine motor skills are ahead of the curve. I suppose it all balances out in the end. :) We love our sweet girl!