Summer fun

What a fun week it's been - Independence Day fun on Monday; Cora's camp and the Neals' visit on Tuesday; Juliana and her girls visiting Wednesday, followed by a trip to the pool in the evening; camp and family movie night Thursday; and Stroller Strides, a visit from Michelle and Brooke, and campout-night on Friday.

Violet has been making different sounds this week. Hard to describe well, but I can hear a difference, as she gets closer to adding more words to her vocabulary. Speaking of that, this week, with Jim and JT as witnesses, she put two words together for the first time. She's been saying a word that sounds like "alglie" or "alguie" for water, and "ah-guy" for all gone. On Tuesday, referring to her water cup, she said put the words together.

Also, another top tooth is finally fully through, one she's been working on for months. Oh, and she is screaming a lot more. For fun, in anger, in frustration, to get attention.


Cora had her final class with Ms. Diane this week, as our session of Camp Clarita came to an end. It was very sad for me and for Ms. Diane, who told us how much she's enjoyed Cora for these two-plus years and how much she'll miss her. She'll just have to keep teaching long enough to have Violet in another year!

Here are Cora and Brooke playing with the kitties - thanks for the photo, Michelle! We had a great time catching up over lunch Friday. Brooke absolutely loved playing with Spencer and Sebastian.

Here is our silly Cora - she was supposed to be getting her jammies on her for her night out in the tent with Dad. They did this two weeks ago, and it went so well, it was time for an encore. Well, Cora put on her little sleeveless nightdress. Stace told her to change, since it would get too cold outside in the wee hours. So, she just pulled on her other pajamas over the gown.

Daddy and Daughter ready for their night of reading Little House and listening to nature. Just before this photo, the following conversation took place:

Cora : "I do love you, Dad."

Stace: "Why?"

Cora: "Because you’re such a good husband to Mummy."

Stace: "Thanks. Do you love me because I’m your Dad?"

Cora: "Yeah, I can’t believe my heart. I love you, Dad."