My little girls hoped on the bus this morning and began their first day of First Grade. Where has the time gone? Yesterday they were able to go to the school open house and meet their teachers. I think it will be a great year for them. I could tell as we were walking the halls that they were a little nervous but I think in a few days it will all come back to them. They were both excited that their class rooms share a wall that opens to one another. First grade divides reading and math groups by abilities, possibly they could be together for part of the school day. Aubrey starts pre-school next week and then all my free time should start appearing, right?

Madison with her new teacher, Mrs. Gemmill

Samantha and her teacher, Mrs. Zarchin

My First Graders

Samantha ready and waiting for the first day of school

Madison ready for the first day

Final Field Trip

We took our last field trip of the summer last week. The girls and I headed off to the National Zoo. It had been such a long time since we were last there. It was fun to see all the animals and run off some extra summer energy.

Annual Camping Trip

For the last three years we have made the annual trek to Catoctin State Park. It is a great retreat we discovered our first fall on the east coast. It is only 1 hour from our house, great for the current gas prices. We always set aside the first week of August for this event. It was an eventful camping trip; Aubrey spotted a 4 ft. long black snake on the nozzle of the camp showers, there was a mouse scurrying through camp and Rob and I were bitten by some sort of strange bug throughout the first night, being pregnant while camping is also a joy, there is not a bathroom 6 feet from my bed at night! I think to next summer's camping trip, with a little 6 month old crawling through the dirt and just loving it. Samantha, Madison and Aubrey all caught their "first" fish and then many to follow. Madison learned how to hook the worms and she was working my line for the rest of the trip. We borrowed a canoe and kayak. Samantha loved going out in the lake and kayak around, she did a great job and rows a fairly straight line. There is a swimming pool at the camp, all three girls perfected their jumping, splashing and swimming skills. We also made a visit to Gettysburg and The Boyd's Bear Factory Store.

Tire park near our camp spot

My kayak girl, Samantha

Madison having her turn

Little Bree

Standing at a monument in Gettysburg

Rob with the girls on top of another Gettysburg monument

Beach fun at the lake

A fisherman in the making

Aubrey, a little fish

Samantha jumping in for the big splash

Annapolis

This week the girls and I made a visit to Annapolis. I had made a visit with my parents earlier in the year. It was so cold and that time that I wanted to see the city in the summer. We parked at a park and ride lot and rode a trolley into the main part of town. I think for the girls that this was the highlight of the trip. The trolley seats were wood and the drivers did not drive on the side of caution. All three of my little ones were slipping and sliding on the seats, laughing and having a great time. We walked down to the dock looking at the boats and the ducks. Then off to some window shopping and lunch at a delicious potato shop. After our tour of Annapolis we headed to the bay and built sandcastles and dipped our toes in the water. There were jellyfish visible from the beach so we didn't make it to far in. The kids still loved playing in the sand and soaking up some rays before school begins.