Summertime

Picking summer's wildflowers!!

We're not doing school and we're busier than ever!! It's been a few weeks where we have something almost everyday and most nights! Wow! When did we have time to do school?

Here's what we've been up to the past few weeks:
Cal got a job!! Well, sort of. He works one day a week at our library for an hour each time. He works with the children's librarian....helping in whatever way she needs - prepping for the summer reading program, shelving books, etc. He loves it and it's such great experience for him. Of course, it's all volunteer.
The older three kids are taking tennis lessons again. Twice a week, an hour each kid, for five weeks. Luckily there is a park/playground right there so Lily can play for the three hours we're there each time. Cal, James, and Leah love tennis! They've progressed nicely from last season. Hopefully Cal will have an opportunity to play in some tennis tournaments this year for the first time! Charlie and Amy are taking tennis lessons as well this year (not with the kids). There has been some improvement in our skills, but Amy STILL can't beat Charlie in a set. Maybe someday. We've also been playing other friend-couples that play tennis. It's been great fun!

Other than that we've been getting caught up on housework, playing in the stream, staying cool, and helping grandparents with yardwork. We're still continuing with our sign-language lessons during the summer as well.

Before summer officially started the kids had their musical performance. It went great!!! Cal was the Master of Ceremonies for the event, putting to good use his public speaking lessons. The other three kids sang in the choir. Leah played a piano solo. Both girls sang in a trio singing "God Bless the USA". It was beautiful....music to our ears!


We went camping at the beginning of June at one of our favorite places. It's in Vermont...can't tell you more than that because we wouldn't want it to become more popular than it already is now. There's no advance reservations, so it gets a different breed of campers. There's a large field for playing ball or throwing the frisbee as well as a beach area and very nice swimming area. We had such a relaxing time in spite of the overnight thunderstorms while in a tent! Some of us didn't care for the thunder and lightning being so close.....and it wasn't the two girls - they slept right through it!

Summer is flying by....we're hoping to get much more accomplished still!!

Setting off model rockets in the field across the street from the house....the boys and Charlie made the rocket themselves.

Our annual photo spot at our favorite campground in Vermont.