Summer's Coming To An End

I'm so sad to see this summer end. At the beginning of the summer, I committed to going and doing with the kids. I wanted to just wake up and pack up and go on little "field trips," have play dates, and get out and explore. I've been so limited in the past by pregnancies, morning sickness, babies taking morning naps, and Farah's unwillingness to get dressed and leave the house. But now with that behind me, I pledged to have a fun summer....and we actually did!
A little run down on the highlights: my favorite trip was the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton (just the kiddos and me). We also did Dinosaur Land, Clearbrook Park, public pools, hiking Skyline Drive with Grammy, River park with Grammy (including a two night cabin stay), a great trip with Heath, Joyce, and kids to Jellystone Park in Luray, two nights in PA with Joyce and kids to do Dutch Wonderland, four days at VA Beach, including the VA Beach Aquarium. We had some fun birthday parties, we did a bicycle parade with the neighbors, went to Sarah's lake house, visited Skyline Caverns with Grammy, did Marker Miller orchards, had a fun day at Holly's house with Kacie and her crew, and we kicked off the summer with a backyard campout.
All in all, it was a great summer. I can't think of any major problems. This beach trip was about a hundred times better than last year's, too. The only bummer was the kids weren't as into the ocean as last year. A few minutes on the beach and Farah would ask when we could go to the hotel pool. She wouldn't let up, she would say, "Okay, how many more minutes?" Not exactly a good way to relax on the beach.

The big news of the summer is the acquisition of two new members of the family, Lucy and Cleo. I saw Lucy's picture on Facebook. Melinda Walters was posting the cutest pictures of this little calico kitty with her daughter, Bella, who is Farah's age. They were curled up in bed, the kitty was poking out of purses, and in general being mauled without seeming to mind. She couldn't keep it because her dog wanted to eat the stray kitty and had apparently already eaten its litter mate. I casually told Heath about her and asked if maybe we could get her for Farah. Instead of the "no" I was expecting, he said, "Let me see a picture." After I showed him, he said, "Do whatever you want." So, not only did I get her, but a week later I got a friend for her! Cleo was a cute grey and white kitty from our babysitter's. She had been found on the side of the road as a very tiny kitten and was living at Trisha's as an outdoor cat. The two get along so well and bring a lot of fun to our house, without the commitment that a dog brings. Of course, they bring the added chores of litter box cleaning and pet hair removal. It's no big deal right now, but when I got back to work (sigh, tomorrow), I might feel differently.

As I type, Lucy is purring in my lap. I hope they stay this sweet and playful as they age. Right now, Lucy purrs so loudly and is very frisky. She loves to climb and is definitely the boss of the two. Cleo is very loud; the vet said she's part Siamese, which explains the "talking." She is tolerant of the kids, but probably because she's looking for food. Now, as I type, Lucy is biting me and chasing my arm with the claws. They are both total pigs, maybe because they're strays?

Farah also learned how to ride her bike without training wheels this summer. It only took about three lessons with Heath before she mastered it. 

Another cool thing this summer, was I continued the tradition I started last year of doing a special day with each child. I took Farah roller skating in Purcellville and to Franklin Park. Blake and I went to Chantilly and toured Udvar Hazy air and space museum and then went to the Kid Junction (or something like that). It had an imagination town, climbing towers, and arcade games. Lenah and I spent some time at home playing one on one and went to the Wilson's Wild Animal Park, where she clung to me for dear life the whole time. 

Had to take a "selfie" with Lenah because she wouldn't let me put her down!

My most favorite thing to do is to say to Lenah, "Do the Lenah." She instantly starts her little Lenah dance. I need to get a good video of this! I have a half hearted "Do the Lenah video."


The worst thing about a good summer is when it comes to its inevitable end. This is my last summer with a baby, if you can still consider Lenah a baby (which I do). Next summer, if all goes well, I'll have no one in diapers. Lenah may even be ready to move out of her crib. Farah's first few years went by slowly, probably because I was so engrossed in her every move. Things are now flying by. I'm trying to enjoy it and push the nostalgia off.