Our First Week of Summer

This week we:

-celebrated Annie's school year and last week of school. We're looking forward to being back next year, but there are many kids/families who are off to kindergarten that we'll miss...

I know this is blurry, but I love this expression--that this is what is her expression when she sees me from across the playground. I know ten years from now, she may not be so excited to see me, so I will treasure it!

Annie with one of her great teachers, Natalia, in the "Monkey Jungle"

Annie driving the playground canoe "over the waterfall"
(she had me jump out of the canoe right before we got to the waterfall so I would stay safe)

One of many poses for these three friends right outside their classroom,  I love Annie's adoring gaze...

 -had the girls last swim session till the fall (except of course for AZ swim sessions with Grandma next month), the girls both have loved their weekly lessons, and have made a lot of progress

Siri and Daddy getting ready to float, while her teacher gives instructions

Annie jumping in with teacher Kyle -- she has excelled at everything, but as you see from her head pose, she'll do about anything to keep her head above water. Throughout the session, she kept Kyle amused with the moves she could perform in order to keep her head above water.

-enjoyed an outing to the Children's Museum with friends Kaj, Ella, Leif, and Jack

Leif looks on while Annie, Siri, and Ella paint their faces

Annie's clown face 

Annie and Kaj delivering mail

Our two year olds: Ella, Leif, and Siri

 Annie and Kaj do a series of silly faces:

-Annie and I attended Cirque Du Soleil with Ashley and Lily. There are no pictures (you can go online and see lots of the amazing things they did in their show "Ovo"); but, you can trust me that there were looks of awe and humongous smiles throughout.

-I ran my first 10k with Di!

-The week wiped us out, and Annie and Siri relaxed on the couch this afternoon listening to "A Prairie Home Companion" while I made dinner

Siri's Cookie Monster Rendition

A Perfect Summer Weekend

For the first time in literally months (October?), we had a perfect weather weekend--beautiful sunshine, warmth, flowers finally blooming--it was perfectly timed with two outdoor gatherings.

Saturday, we had Annie's preschool fundraiser, "Rock the Barn." Held at the Nature Center, bands played right outside the barn, and there was plenty of room and things to explore. We all loved listening and dancing to great music (including getting to watch Eric perform with a percussion trio), going on a hayride, and picnicking with friend. Annie was thrilled to show cousin Kate and friends Kaj, Leif, Ella, Jack and Sophia (and all of the adults) "her" school!

Alex, Kate, Annie, Kaj and Siri dancing 

Siri dancing with Kate (yes, that is ice cream all over her face)...she was so eager to dance we didn't get it cleaned...

And, here is a little clip of some of Siri's favorite dance moves:

 On Sunday afternoon, we celebrated Siri's birthday once again with a garden party. We loved having everyone over, spending time playing in the backyard, grilling out...Perhaps, one of my favorite moments was when I asked Siri if she wanted to open presents, and she said--rake in her hand--"No, I am going to look for worms."

A pre-party hug from Uncle Alex

Welcoming guests to the party

Our first watermelon of the summer!

Siri enjoying her dinner

Kaj, Leif, Ani, Annie, and Kate on the slide

We were thrilled to have cousin Kate join us from South Dakota for Siri's party.
And, we're happy she seemed to enjoy herself!

Ani, Annie, and Kate

Looking for, you guessed it, worms.