Quick catch up...

This past month has been somewhat of a blur. Adventures, one after another, that made July pass by rather quickly.
We had manicures...

and pedicures,

snuggle time with Daddy before hitting the road...

a trip to Grandma and Poppy's house...

further travels to take Sophie to her choice destination of the year,

cousins, aunt and uncle, and VBS
(I think this is the 5th year she has had this special opportunity!)

Throughout these three weeks we logged twenty plus hours on the road, a crazy round of viruses that sent me to the ER here, Haleigh to urgent care while we were in WV, many prescriptions, and many many thanks when we were all finally better!!
Then we headed for the BEACH!!!
Those posts should pop up as the week continues, see you then ;)

Summer plan somewhat off track...

As summer kicked off I had grand plans of "reading time" every day. However, I found us out and about more often then home. Some days we did have sweet moments, all cuddled on the couch reading together. This past week we picked up where we had left off...

Let's just say there was a little extra "encouragement" to keep all three girls at the table after they had finished their lunch, so they could continue listening intently.

It was contagious too. Later that day Sophie and Haleigh were very content to just "be" on the couch reading and listening while they waited for Daddy to arrive home. (And no chocolate pie was needed ;)

One area of our literary goals where we have been more successful was listening to audio books. During cleaning times the girls have intently listened to Understood Betsy (during a car trip to WV,) American Girl's Kit Series, Little House on the Prairie, some Encyclopedia Brown, and lots of Odyssey. A trip to the library is scheduled for Friday to pick up a new batch of audio books for the rest of our July travels! (So thankful for my personal librarian to keep me on track with good books!)

4th of July Road Trip

A few of us in the crew weren't feeling great, but we were antsy for an adventure with Daddy since he finally got a day off. We loaded up and headed to the Western NC Nature Center. It only took about 1 1/2 hours to get there, which was quite restful. It was a little rainy with threats of a storm but we were able to have a great time before the rain pounded. A look at wild animals native to our neck of the woods was fun and different from your regular zoo animals.

It was the perfect low paced, no crowd, relaxed way to spend a great family day!!

Unlikely View of the Fireworks!

A definite highlight of the summer is July 4th and the cook out that occurs in our cul-de-sac.

It was scheduled for the 3rd this year for the convenience of those working.
We mixed up the fruit salsa and everyone was dressed in red, white, and blue ready to go.

Then the rain came.
Next Haleigh started showing signs that she had picked up Mackenzie's virus that had been handed down from Sophie. The rain stopped just in time to set the picnic tables and spread out the food. I set the youngest two up with dinner and a movie they were very content with the promise they could have the best seat in the house for the firework display. Once Mark got home from work we slipped out front for a short visit and sampling of all the yummy summer foods. Sophie was in heaven walking Bailey, the neighbors dog as she visited with the mass of folks.
Finally, it was dark, it was time! After reminding Sophie of the "firework rules" even though she wouldn't even be near the lighting of any fireworks I headed in to set up shop.
Haleigh, Mackenzie and I got popped pop corn and crawled into Mackenzie's bed that was pulled up tight to the windows.
Let the show begin...

and begin it did!

The best part was hearing the commentary (mostly by Haleigh) as each firework exploded in the air...
"That's a sizzle popper." "That was is a spinner and then when it changes color it becomes a twista." "That one is a green merle! Isn't it beautiful! I read a lot of backs of boxes last year when I went with Daddy to buy fireworks. I know a lot about fireworks."
"Now this a beautiful sight!!"

Happy 4th of July!!

Splish Splash

This summer we finally have all 3 girls in swimming lessons. A good friend, in a neighboring subdivision, was able to set up lessons with a teacher that instructs the kids 3 at a time for 45 minutes. It has been great thing!

Sophie is swimming the length of the pool with actual strokes.

Haleigh has her confidence back in the water and is working on basic strokes.

Mackenzie is getting used to the water and putting her head under. When she is wearing her floaties she has no fear. She just jumps in and puddles around the pool with a motion that resembles a frog.

As we were waiting for our turn at lessons this week however, this little frog fell asleep,
fast asleep!

Impromptu Outing

Last week when we dropped Sophie at American Girl Camp Haleigh, Mackenzie, and I spent a few minutes in the butterfly garden and at the lily pond. We didn't have a lot of time to explore the nature trails so I promised we would take time to explore the following week. I woke up this Friday morning with many ideas of what needed to be completed to count this week a productive one. Then it hit me, my promise to Haleigh to go back to the science center with her camera ready to capture nature... change of plans!

We could have stayed all day watching the turtles and and butterflies (and Haleigh could have taken pictures all day!) But we still had swimming lessons to get to...
perhaps that will be the next post ;)

American Girl Camp part 2

These are some pictures the instructor of Sophie's camp sent this week. They were too cute to not add to our memory treasure box.