Summer Time

Summer isn't my favorite season. I mean, I know that there are fun trips and water play but no matter what, my first thoughts of summer are of the humidity and the bugs. I can't stand bugs! Here in Maryland we get bugs of epic proportions. The other day Claire and I found a Hercules beetle on our driveway. I didn't get a photo of ours, but here is what it looked like:



It was a massive insect. We get imperial moths too:



Not to mention walking stick bugs, praying mantises, hummingbird moths, and giant millipedes. It's like a zoo out here. All of these guys are a little freaky, but fascinating too and at least they don't bite me. But the mosquitos...the awful awful mosquitoes...are what typically make summer miserable for me. They are out in full force this summer as usual. The thing is, I'm finding that having my kids around helps me really appreciate all the fun summer experiences and focus less on the millions of bites that I am getting. Having kids is really cool. I look at everything a little differently because of them!

Our summer seems to be going by super fast this year too. Maybe it's because Claire will be going to Kindergarten this fall? Here we are with just four weeks remaining before she embarks on her new adventure.

And now, after that tangent about bugs (sorry, came out of nowhere) I present our summer photo round-up! We're starting off with a photo of Claire in her Princess Belle dress. She and I saw the broadway production of Beauty and the Beast, which was wonderful.

The kids had their last gymnastics class of the year. They miss it over the summer!

June's highlight was a visit from our friends, the Juliens. They trekked all the way from Austin to see our great capitol, and us. We did way too many things to put in this blog. Here is a nice photo of Claire and Maya at Sandy Point Beach though.

Tyler and Claire love the water fountain at the Baltimore inner harbor.

Claire worked on a fossil-digging kit after being inspired by a trip to the science museum.

4th of July was the best! The weather was nice and cool. We went to a local parade, at too much candy, BBQ'd and shot fireworks. The best!

Of course we've visited the goats at the Baltimore zoo.

Since it's not exactly raging hot this summer, we've only been to the community pool a handful of times so far.

Claire and Tyler love this statue at the local library. We see him weekly since the summer reading program is in full swing.

We discovered a small lake in the area (Wilde Lake) that is perfect for a short bike ride and picnicking.

A trip to Dutch Wonderland with friends was the last big adventure. There was an impressive dinosaur exhibit that we all enjoyed.

Claire and Tyler have been doing lots of horseplay this summer too.

They ride bikes and scooters every day in our cul-de-sac. But only after they have examined my bell flower plant to pop all of the flower buds.

We've tried using chopsticks this summer and the kids think it's so cool.

Brian blew out more candles this year. I am still older though.

Claire is always having luncheons and tea with animal friends.

There will be more summer photos after our trip to Rocky Mountain National Park this August. Can't wait!

The merry month of May

May was nice and here are the photos to prove it. The weather finally started to cooperate so we had plenty of play time outside. Tyler and Claire are completely content to goof around in our yard all day.

We ventured over to the Turf Valley hot air balloon festival. This is us pretending to be balloons.

 

Claire has wanted a pet for a looooong time. I broke down and got her a betta and she loves him. His name is Sammy.

The peonies bloomed with gusto again.

Claire made her very own fairy garden. She checks it almost daily looking for evidence of fairy presence.

Tyler did some gardening too. He potted these marigolds for me for mother's day.

We went to the Day Out With Thomas celebration at the B & O railroad museum.

Brian booked us a night at the Gaylord Resort in DC. It was such a great weekend! This was our view of the atrium from our room.

While we were at the hotel Claire lost her first tooth. Tyler was in awe.

The kids did a soccer class together for the first time.

Of course we visited the local petting farm too.

 

We camped at breezy point beach over memorial day weekend.

 

Claire had her first ballet/tap recital and she graduated from pre-K.

I'm still working on downloading the recital video. Hopefully you'll be seeing it soon!

 

The fine art of preschool

Claire and Tyler have been working hard on their masterpieces for the school art show. This is one of my favorite school events, because the kids are so incredibly excited and beaming with pride. I'm so glad they like arts and crafts as much as I do!

Here's Tyler standing under his butterflies:

 

Claire standing under her landscape painting:

 

Sibling love, also very artistic.

 

Claire's pet rock:

 

Tyler standing under his cow painting:

 

Let's hope we all never stop painting and doodling. Clearly it is good for the soul.

Let's Go O's

It's officially spring here, and that means it's time for baseball! We needed a break from mulching our gardens so we headed off to the Oriole's game on Sunday. Brian and I probably only got to see one or two innings of the game. Most of the time we were at the Kid's Zone, in line for the potties, or in line for food. But we did see two back-to-back O's homeruns!

Yes, we have branched out and become Orioles and Nationals fans, but our kids know that the Cardinals are our #1 team! So don't worry, all you St. Louis friends.

 

Tyler was more interested in his lemonade than the mascot.

 

We need another picture of Tyler eating junk food:

 

This is how Claire poses for pictures now -- she strikes a pose literally. I gave it a try too.

 

On the lightrail after the game...