Enjoying The Alaskan Summer

I had Amelia signed up for a Dance Camp and had thoughts of enrolling her in Soccer.   Changed my mind upon return from our almost 4 weeks away...it was time to just enjoy what is left of the Alaskan Summer and play with friends :)

We had a beautiful summer day with neighbor friends Taliah and Uriah.  Then headed to the zoo with them for a day of animals and goofiness.

Then helped Dad with tractor maintenance moving branches from our "woodlands" next to our house.

They are very serious workers.

And while doing so...almost ran into a yellow jacket nest.  I quickly took this with my iPhone and got out quick.

Thankfully, our neighbor swiftly took care of it with bee spray.  Note:  I think they moved somewhere else in the woods as upon walking in yesterday...I heard bees.  Might wait til winter to head back in...they are very mean bees.

Been playing outside daily.  She really wanted to play soccer, however, she began swimming lessons too and since she is starting Kindergarten very soon...think one activity is enough for now.  Of course, mastering the scooter too.

And a bit of relaxation with finger paints.

and more play dates.  This time with friend Vivvy ... sharing some blueberry crumble over ice cream. 

Might have some very exciting news next week:  Amelia loses her very first tooth.  It is SUPER wiggly and she is just hoping it falls out soon! :)

Week 3 Part 2

Our time was drawing to a close on CNY,  but one more burst of energy for our to-do list was necessary.

1.  Visit the horses with Aunt Donna.

2.  Go shopping with Liz, Kate and favorite shopping pal, Olivia, in Skaneateles, NY.  While there, visit antique store and "read" from old bible, line up collectible pez dispensers, buy toys at the toy store and finally end trip with a chocolate covered oreo. 

3.  End day with Pizza making (each made their own) with Ciara, Calleigh and Conor. Then some basketball and ice pops for all.

4.  Have to make a quick trip to the zoo the next day before we leave the following morning.  Met the new baby elephant.  

5.  Lastly...help Liz plant a garden.  

For me...one more late night shenanigans of Pictionary with Liz, Matt, Aaron and Andrea.

6.  Time to say goodbye.

7.  and approximately 14 hours later...Hello to our very missed Dad.

It is always exciting to travel and see family and friends, but oh so nice to come home. 

Week 3 Part 1 Cousins and More Cousins

Again intentions get the best of us.  Figured this would be the last post of vacation...not so.  I had forgotten how much we crammed in.

Day after DC, we met my friend Chelsea for a picnic lunch at our favorite stomping ground...Gillie Lake.  It is a short beautiful walk for us, as I promised Amelia we would lay low for a couple days after all the travel.

Amelia quickly remembered Chelsea and after our picnic we conjured up a campfire complete with pinecone hotdogs.  Chelsea is a teacher...she knows all about pretend.  She also shared some fantastic news ... pregnant with twins...couldn't be happier for her and her husband Jim. 

Next day a playdate with cousins Conor, Cal and Ciara.  Not sure why my kid was wearing pants...and black at that.

And 2 days later...more cousin fun at The Wild. This time with my brother's kids Abby and Dylan.

There has been a lot of hoopla surrounding this park.  I have wanted to go for the past couple years.  I was disappointed.  Maybe because I felt the animals weren't in the best surroundings...maybe due to the gash on one of the zebras legs...maybe because hundreds of people (including my kid) just tossing food didn't seem quite right to an animals diet (you could buy carrots for the giraffe and pellet food for others) and not a zoo attendant insight to keep an eye on things.  The Fort Rickey Children's Discovery Zoo was a much more rewarding and enjoyable experience a couple years back..that post is here.

Regardless...Amelia had a great time..although quite concerned about the zebra cut. 

On the 4th ... cousins came together at my niece Kate's house for some summer craziness...

All was fun and games until someone grabbed a pail.

"Of course you know this means war."  - bugs bunny.  The fun kind of war of course.

I am pretty sure everyone would agree...Olivia might have lost a battle ... but certainly won the war...and little did anyone know the war wasn't over.

Until they all wanted to show off their driving skills....

and bother the Uncles and Aunts (cousins to Amelia).

All as Captain Cole watched...and learned.

If some of the older cousins didn't come back with Amelia in the car that night,  it would have been nearly impossible to get Amelia out of there...it was that much fun.  

Kate...need to make this an annual practice...your place...4th of July.  It is on my calendar.

Next...the final chapter of this summer vaca.