Last Day of School

Can't believe we have a preschooler, a Kindergartener and a 2nd grader!

Louisiana 2013 Sneak Peek

The Fourth

One of my favorite times of the year in DC is the Fourth.

It's such a great time to visit the city!  (Hint, hint.)

On the 3rd, the locals go to the Capitol Fourth dress rehearsal, which is the televised show that's on the 4th.  There aren't any crazy crowds and it's the same show, so it's one of DC's best kept secrets in my opinion.  We walked down even after it started and still got to sit on the steps of the Capitol, which was a  great spot. 

The morning of the Fourth, we walk in the Capitol Hill Community Parade with CHLG.  

It's such a fun way to start the day.

We had been gone for two weeks, and the kids were so excited to see their friends. 

 It was so sweet to see them all hugging and talking non-stop.

 Our view as we walked in the parade - the streets were pretty packed!

We managed to wrangle a couple of the kiddos for a picture.

The evening of the Fourth, we had a block party at the Wheelers.

We played and talked until 9:00 and then headed up to the roof of the church to watch the fireworks at 9:10.

When it was over, the kids on the block lined up in chairs to watch the "block fireworks" that two of the older Schmucker girls put on for the kids.  It was so cute.  

Happy Fourth!

Mother's Day

We got photo bombed!

Our basement neighbors came through our house after church...too funny.

So we had them take a family photo to make up for it.  ;)

Um.  Elijah?  Really?  Can we do something else with your legs please?

And Emmaline, one day you're gonna wonder why you posed like that because you look like you weigh 175 pounds.

But I sure do love those four people.

And they made me feel so special today!

Nick got the Scout pool/beach bags I have been wanting for the summer.
They're oil cloth type of fabric, and great for summer.
(One's a cooler and the other is a big bag.)

And he totally surprised me with an iPad!

The kids have been learning how to use a computer, and have a reading website they use for school (Raz-Kids) and they get frustrated with the Mac touch pad and accidentally make the screen disappear all the time.  They are all three really rough with my computer, so I am always leery of letting them use it.  But I know they need to use it, and Elijah needs to learn to type.  Blah blah.

We talked about getting a refurbished iPad for one child to use and only load strategic educational apps on it for them to use while I'm working with the others on homeschool.  

But I wasn't expecting it so soon!

Can't wait to use it tomorrow.

And on Thursday, a ProFlowers box was on my doorstep--I love getting those!

The kids painted some adorable pictures for me one night with Nick, 

and I need to take pictures of those.  Such treasures.

Nick definitely outdid himself for Mother's Day...

we will let it all count for birthday AND Mother's Day this year.

Thank you so much, sweetie!

Soap Table

The sand table got the best of me.  

I was so tired of sweeping up sand. 

And it was a really fine, powdery sand so it was a big mess all the time.

So one warm Saturday, we cleaned off the porch and hosed it all down.

And filled up the table with water for a change.

And I poured some dish soap in it...

it wasn't long before half the block showed up to play!