Weekend Outside - Bicycles, Camping Out, Hikes & Pools

Because rediscovering your dress-up trunk is so much fun!

I love these goofballs.

Fun at Ian's house 

 

Returning home and starting new projects

 

On Saturday, we went to Duke Farms for the kids to ride their bicycles. Being on the road all summer meant that Amelia hasn't had the necessary attention to tackle riding a bike without training wheels. So Daddy put on his running shoes and chased the bike riders while Colleen and I strolled behind. We visited the Orchid House together; then the big kids and Dad went on a longer path back while Colleen and I took our time returning.

 

 

 

 

The big kids had listened to a Sparkle Story about a brother & sister who camped out in their living room, and they requested to do the same. So we set them up, expecting for them to wake us up and be in their own beds by morning. But I guess the road trip solidified their sleeping flexibility, because we didn't hear a peep and they woke up giggly and excited that they had camped out in the living room.

We use an old iPhone as a noise machine; I later found that the kids had taken the phone and recorded photos and videos of themselves. They are priceless.

 

On Sunday night, we were going to the last county free summer concert, but they closed the park early because it had reached capacity. So we drove a bit further and took a walk on a new-to-us trail. Then we went out for ice cream. 

 

I'm so grateful that I can take all 3 to the pool on hot afternoons. 

Return to Routine & Saying Goodbye to Meera & Pragathi

We returned from our road trip to find that our garden survived!

And, we returned sadly to find out that our neighbors were having a job transfer and moving away. So while we unpacked and did laundry in the few days after our return, we spent as much time with our friends as we could.

We had them over for peach cobbler one night and got these great photos of the kids all together! 

Library program where the kids got to paint pet rocks.

 

Getting back into routine at home

 

Hot days are great for the splash pad!

 

She asks to sit on the potty now; she has two willing entertainers who remember that Amelia got treats when she'd read to Austin and he'd use the potty. Poor girl has to wait for school to start before Mommy will start potty training.

Kiwi Crate fun!

When the movers came to pack up our neighbor's home, I offered to have Pragathi & Meera spend the morning with us. Brownie, their puppy, hung out in our garage while we did some beading inside. Then we headed outside to play in between sprinkling rain; Aditi & Avik came over and played with us too. We all headed to the neighborhood park. The kids played and ate a snack and had a great time together. The big kids are obsessed with Colleen.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are hopeful for new neighbors and grateful that we've shared the last 5 years with these girls!