Other Fun

So, what else did we do?  Just lived as much as we could in the moment.

They built "giant lego blocks and stood in the same position as their lego avatars.

Before cousin summer, we went to a new park, which just happened to have a library event going on, and a book sale too!

Emily and Grace were "melting."

We blew up the pool for one week, then found out about the "pool party" schedule at the Charlotte Aquatic Center and haven't used it since.  It's still out, and on the porch, but empty.

We got to check out the Oldsmobile car show in downtown Dimondale.  I think it was back a two-year hiatus.

Father's Day was pretty quiet, but everyone was around to wish Daddy a happy one!

We read the "story walk" posted at the basketball court.

Grace and Molly got ready for camping.

I took in our bikes (3 at a time) to be serviced at the bike shop. Grace's had to be totally replaced with a new one.  

Grace set two summer goals for herself: 1) ride a bike without training wheels.  2) swim without a floaty/pass the swimming test at the pool.  She's making great strides with both and is close to mastering #1!

During Grace's trip, we left Alice and William home, since they didn't want to come, and hit a really pretty bike trail we found one day.  Then, we went to a second bike trail, but the girls were tired, so we went home.  The next day, Billy and I went out and did 10 miles on the trail in Lansing.  The direct sunlight was pretty brutal, but there were several pretty parks on the way.  Next time, we go downtown!

Grace has been feeling a little sad without Juliet, so she's been my go buddy, since Emily is also at camp this week.  She got a cookie the size of her face at BJ's!

She also went with me to snag some on sale school supplies.  Staples had a $10 off any $20+ purchase coupon, so we picked up the 3 things that they had on sale that I had on my list. We also scored some fresh headphones for the big girls for their school supply list.  Spent $12, which was not bad considering I was able to get everything on my list and two pairs of headphones!

Avia was in Texas this year for her birthday, but we didn't waste a chance to celebrate!  The cake was good, sadly, I was trying to schedule a package pick up when the kids got everything ready, so this was the only picture I took.

Emily didn't have time to grab some and eat it before camp, but she got some when she came home. = )

We met up with the Cornishes at the Magical Realm Festival in Charlotte.  Despite the warmer weather we'd been having, it was cold and rainy.  

They had a scavenger hunt that everyone, except for Alice, thought was delightful and fun.  And Grace has now tamed her fair share of rocks! ; )

Billy paid for the kids to be jailed.  I think they might have liked it! = 0

Their "warrant!"

I feel like I must include an Alice interaction here as well, so that she can read it later.

Bought this sweatshirt for Alice (even though it was like 90F.)  

When we came home:
M: I bought you a new shirt!
A: <eyeroll>
<But reads shirt and works hard to conceal smile>
M: well, what do you think?
A: <reaches for it, and feels edge> at least it's soft...

It has been such a great, but busy summer.  And somehow, we've managed to fit in doctor visits, grocery pickups, new glasses, karate, and even some Latin, math, German, and reading!  

Maybe we'll get some rest once school starts.

later days