Summer Fun

 Our summer is flying by! This is a sad thing, since we're having a great one!

We've had friends over for pool play dates, like Mari and her mom Susan and sister Clarise. I met Susan through a cloth-diapering Web site when Cora was 6 months old, and she's been a generous friend over the years. A majority of Cora's clothes come from Susan's girls! Sadly, they're moving back East next month so we won't see them much in the future. 

We also went to Jill's new apartment for a playdate last week. They moved very close to us, which we're so happy about! Alexyss will be in first grade at Meadows, so we can maybe do some after-school playdates on Fridays when the older grades get out not long after the kindergartners.

This week, Genia, Jill and I and all the children met up at a park for lunch and play and water-fountain-sprinkler games.

We've also played as a family! One night Stace surprised Cora by getting the tent out! Getting all the bedthings in place was so exciting for the girls. For Violet, the excitement continued for hours... until Stace and I had had enough of the "My Gym" somersaulting over our heads and put Violet back indoors. (And me - I made the deep sacrifice to sleep inside.)

I read a fun frugal idea about letting children play with cornstarch mixed with water and food coloring. The consistency changes continuously, and it's just a weird thing to touch and play with. This occupied both girls for at least an hour one morning at home.

 The Roberts took a three-week family road trip, and we sure missed them! The day after they got back, we had Ave over for the afternoon. She and the girls played so well, like always, making Tuesday a very easy day for me! After dinner we headed to ice cream night at Baskin Robbins.

 For four weeks, Cora took part in Camp Clarita on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 until 1. This was perfect for us! It gave our weeks structure and Cora some fun with children her own age, and allowed me to get errands done with just little Violet. Violet loved picking up Cora, and always rushed up with arms open for a hug. It was the sweetest thing to see them so happy to see each other after four hours apart.

 After picking up Cora one afternoon, the ice cream truck was playing its tune next to the park. What's summer without ice cream?  Especially when you can share with your sister!

And even more especially, when you can share it with your squirrel!

(No ice cream was actually shared with squirrels, friendly or otherwise. After taking this photo I shooed this guy away.)