Season of Freedom

Hello there.

There's something that you should know:

Summer ends in just two weeks with the start of 4-K!

So let's play at Betty Brinn's Children's Museum on a whim.

 Putting on a show at the theater there.

 At home, we can spend time in our patio fort, perfecting our necklace making.

I'm amazed she made it so beautifully symmetrical!

We can also go to the beach, making a lazy morning of it.

kicking up our feet or whatever...

 Ah, summer...it gives a sense of freedom that the other seasons never can.

Dance Class

Parents were allowed to observe the last Rec Dept dance class. 

 More real dance and ballet moves were incorporated than I thought. The teacher (going to college this fall) was so sweet with the girls and had the cutest games and ways of naming things. For example, they walked the spider out to their toes. They twirled across the gym floor to spaghetti (arms stretched out) and meatballs (arms together to spin). They played duck duck goose but called it tap tap ballet and had to do a plie before running.

 The next week we went to a special Frozen dance class with Elsa at The Academy of Performing Arts in Oak Creek. 

 The teacher was such a professional and very smooth with the girls. They learned all sorts of fun dance stuff and in just 40 minutes they even pulled off a routine to Olaf's "In Summer."

Lydia enjoyed the dance classes but I'm not rushing to sign her up for more just yet. Next, I think it's important to finally get her some swim lessons.

Weird Animals

Our church did a fantastic job with VBS. The decorations were so much fun. Lydia learned that even when you're afraid, even though you're different, even when you're left out...Jesus loves you! Of course the bold phrase gets shouted out all together by the kids.

Lydia's absolute favorite part of the whole week? Singing and dancing!

Link to video: "All Around the World" Practice

Zoo Meet Up

We met Grandma Linda, Sarah, Matt, Stacy, Greg, Aaliyah & Violet at the Milwaukee Zoo. 

For every animal we saw, Lydia had someone from our group draw it in her notebook. Everyone's drawing skills were put to test! Then she would color it (pictured above). 

Looking tame and/or sleepy at first, this lion later gave us a chilling roar that urged us to back away. So we did, and made our way over to the family friendly farm:

Lydia's 'moo'-ing appropriately for the stand-in.

Adorable Mommy and Baby cows!

 There was a butterfly garden in the farm area that was just right for four little girls.

We stopped for a nice picnic lunch on the lake deck and then rode the train:

The love birds had a car to themselves...I wouldn't assume they stayed in their own benches. ;)

The train went fast. We don't let the girls have the car windows down when we're on the "fast road," so for them, this was a thrill! 

It's great to meet up at the zoo. We'll have to go back soon, especially since Ben got a call that he won the Aldi's raffle for four zoo tickets!

Racine Beach

Occasionally just Abigail and I will go for a walk along the beach after dropping Lydia off at playground. Since we're already in Racine, we'll go to North Beach.

 This morning there were people playing volleyball, and it was a bit cool and windy.

You can tell it by looking at Abigail or the big waves.

But it still feels good to hear the waves and put our feet...

and hands in the sand.

"I love you. I love you," she sings as she plays.

I'm so lucky to spend my days with my girls, and occasionally, by the beach.

Sprinkler Pics

Why not water the grass and have fun at the same time?

Water dancing

Fill the bucket

"Look Mom. Hair wet."

If you put the flower fountain in the swimming pool to fill it up, the girls will think the pool magically becomes a princess pool.

* It's Summertime! *

Pool time with Aaliyah

Sleepover in the playroom

CO: Rocky Trails, Lakes & Rapids

Nymph Lake

first snack break, at Nymph Lake

This sight (and sounds of the stream) made me stop in my tracks and pull out my camera!!

sitting on rocks near Dream Lake

friendly chipmunks, a little too friendly

the trail to Emerald Lake...

Emerald Lake!

 "Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom." Psalm 145:3

taking a break by a field of flowers, by Emerald Lake

on a rock again, taking a snack break

happy like Mommy

excellent scenery for a family shot 

Lydia had fun pretending the benches were a train, at Bear Lake

The Pool, as in whirlpool

hiking, hiking...

 We were happy to carry the girls in the backpacks so we could see and go where we wanted to go. I'm sure Lydia will be too big next year and we'll have to take trails at a snail's pace. A lot of other hikers would comment that riding in the packs '[was] the way to go!' to the girls. They didn't always agree.

 Are these rocks big, or what?

posing with our crazy guide

On the last full day, Ben and I took a whitewater rafting trip on the Poudre River. First time for me, Ben is experienced. We volunteered to be the lead paddlers on our 7-person raft. It was a great anniversary type thing to do. The guide instructed us that once she gave a command, such as "Forward one!," we were to look deep into each other's soul-for just a split second-then paddle in sync. I think our raft did pretty well. Our goal was to look more like a viking ship than a drunken spider. Once I was comfortable paddling with my foot wedged into a strap, I could enjoy the action. The front was definitely the place to be for that!