Summer Fun: Swimming Lessons and Cheer Camp

In late July last year, the kids had the chance to take swimming lessons. Justin took a Mommy and Me class, and the other kids took regular classes. They loved it as usual, especially jumping off the diving board.

Strangely, the week we took lessons was very cold. Justin didn't really enjoy his lessons for this reason, and because someone was telling him what to do. He just wanted to play in the warmer, shallow water!

Sadie also participated in Cheer Camp for the second year in a row. She loves it and does a great job! She even came in 2nd place in the Hula Hoop competition!

Summer Fun: Wilson's Wild Animal Park

This July we went to a local wild animal park. It is literally 10 minutes from my house, but I just found out about it a year ago. We met some friends there and spent a few hours. It was a lot of fun for the kids.

Did y'll know we have a lion in Winchester??? I'm not too fond of the idea!

This camel LOVED Isaac and kept trying to lick him. He thought it was pretty funny!

Justin kept calling this a "green sea turtle", so we'll just let him believe that's what it is!

There were a few tractors for the kids to play on, one of Justin's favorite things!

There are also bears, but because they live in the wild here, I'd much rather see them behind a fence!

Fallow deer

The kids also got to feed the very friendly goats.

Summer Fun: Greenbrier State Park

Although we didn't go on a big trip this summer, we did do several fun things that I have neglected to blog about. Now that all the kids are in school, I'm catching up on recording all of our fun summer activities.

In July we took a trip to Greenbrier State park in Maryland. They have a great beach area for the kids to swim and play in. We took a picnic lunch and spent most of the day there having tons of fun!

Isaac's First T-Ball Game

Last Thursday was Isaac's first T-Ball game. He's never participated in organized sports before, so he was really excited to start T-ball this summer. Unfortunately, two of the five practices were cancelled due to rain (we had a VERY rainy June), so the team wasn't really prepared. But then again, the kids are 5 and probably wouldn't have known what they were doing anyway!

The game was supposed to start at 7:30 pm (a horrible time!!) but the game before us wasn't done until 7:45! That doesn't make for a happy 3-year-old!

Isaac waiting for the game to start.

Justin wanted to join in too!

Isaac running from second to third base.

We've discovered that baseball is kind of boring for little kids! Isaac had a really hard time concentrating when he was out on the field. This is a picture of him twirling around and generally goofing off! He was pretty funny to watch. When he was running the bases, he would sit down and I would have to call to him to stand up and pay attention.

Of course, no one keeps score. All of the kids get a chance at bat, so everyone had a great time!

Justin's Yearly pictures

Here are just a few of the pictures my friend Michelle took. He's pretty cute even if he is a rascal!

The Third Battle of Winchester

Thursday evening, for Family Night, we decided to take the kids to the bike trails at the Third Battle of Winchester. It was the perfect evening, about 75 degrees (in July!!) and breezy. We had a lot of fun and did the approx. 4 miles in about an hour. It was quite different for the kids to ride on gravel instead of asphalt, but they did really well. Justin, of course, got to ride in luxury in the bike trailer and even got a short nap. Entrance to the bike trail.

Justin's ride on the back of my bike.


This was a really cool part of the trail where the trees make a canopy over the road. Sadie, of course, got scared because it was dark and a little creepy.
Justin enjoying himself on the ride.

It was a great activity to do together as a family!

Sadie's Dance recital 2009

On Saturday, Sadie performed in her dance recital for the Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy. This was her second year with the Arts Academy and we still love it, especially her teacher. She was able be in a class with her friends Molly and Olivia, and they had a great time. Wow, aren't the costumes beautiful!

Molly, Sadie and Olivia looking like real ballerinas!



Sadie after the recital.

Sadie's whole class after the dress rehearsal.

This is a video of the dress rehearsal. Of course, the performance was better, but they don't allow video recording during the real thing.

Mother's Day 2009

Mother's Day is one of my favorite days of the year. Mostly because my husband and kids do everything for me and I get to relax all alone in my room and nap or read after church. This morning I got chocolate cheesecake brought to me as my breakfast in bed. I had requested a cheesecake for Mother's Day and figured instead of a big real breakfast, I might as well apply the calories toward my favorite treat. Just for the record, I do not usually eat dessert for breakfast! Then I got my gifts (a spa treatment gift certificate and some books) and cards from the kids. Sadie wrote a Mother's Day song for me that I absolutely love! I'm not sure what the tune is, but here are the lyrics:

Happy Mother's Day to you,

Happy Mother's Day to you,

Happy Mother's Day, let's shout "hooray!"

Thanks for all you do.

Happy Mother's Day wishes,

Happy Mother's Day wishes,

Have happy wishes,

We'll wash your dishes as you shout "Hooray!"

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

I hope all you mothers have someone willing to do your dishes on Mother's Day. I'm sure glad I do!

The Bloomin' Mile

Every year Winchester hosts the Apple Blossom Festival. This is a BIG deal for a lot of people in the Shenandoah Valley. Kids get school off and there are 3 days of festivities. There are parades, a huge fireworks display (unfortunately it was cancelled this year due to construction), several races, a circus, etc. This is the third time Sadie has participated in the Apple Blossom Festival's kid's mile run, called the Bloomin' Mile. This year she ran it in 10 minutes and 58 seconds, better than her last two times!! She did a great job and we are so proud of her!

Sadie running the home stretch. Seeing us cheering her on really gave her a boost and helped her finish in under 11 minutes!

Justin made a new friend while we were waiting for the race to begin.

Isaac and Sadie found a tree to climb while we waited. Isaac stayed in that tree almost the entire hour and a half we were there!

Afterwards, we treated the kids to a dinner out and a trip to the bookstore since the fireworks were cancelled. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time!

Justin's favorite toy

For Justin's 3rd birthday he got a geotrax train set. Then with his birthday money from Grandma and Grandpa Day, he picked out some extra track to add to his set. This has turned out to be his best gift ever. He spends hours every day playing with it and reconfiguring the track. Luckily we have an empty dining room that allows him to have it set up all the time.

Most of the time he doesn't even use the remote control, he just pushes the train around the track.