Dan Hole Pond

After missing a year due to the births of Meg and Kate, we were very excited to get back to Dan Hole Pond this year. The kids didn't miss a beat.

Here we were returning after a trip on the row boat.  Cap'n Pip was my navigator!

Pip and Viv playing in the sand.

We were fooled by this Hummingbird Clearwing Moth.  Still beautiful.

Pip was reluctant to try the rope swing.  But once again, all it took was that first brave attempt and the rest was history.  Ella and Pip must've swang out five hundred times each.  Until darkness fell and through the rain.

Here's one swing in action!

Viv was a swimming fool.  She even went out to the dock with me!

And swam through the rain.  No matter!

Just before leaving.  All the kids:  Devlins, Hoffenbergs, Brescios, and Balas!  Meg was none to pleased to be put down and left alone!

Davis Farmland

We had an awesome playdate with Katie, Chase, and Connor at David Farmland today.  It's a petting farm and splashpark/playground that's exceptionally well maintained and run.  Plus it's huge. 

 The animal part is really fully exploratory.  There's a large section with no pens where all different animals are wandering happily among the kids.  Here's Meg meeting some sheep.

She loved it!

Later we went to the splashpark, which had a huge bubble machine!

It was sunny, but not humid and a cool breeze was blowing, so for a while Chase and Vivie cuddled up for warmth.

Feeding the cows one last time before we left.

Meg was more tired than she'd ever been.

Spiders!!!

This plastic spider came in a tube of insects Pip got for his birthday.  They were all kinda gross so not saying I'd prefer the cockraoch or flea instead, but this guy just won't go away.  I think he's currently in the bathtub.

Thunderstorms

Might look dark but it was lunchtime and a mean storm was rolling too.  We love to pull the bean bags over to the windows and cuddle up to watch the rain.  

Riding Solo

After about three days of progressive training, Pip is riding solo!!!

Here's Pip with Daddy on Day 1:

Day 2:  Daddy took Pip down the cul de sac where he got even more comfortable in the seat.  (No video of that).

Day 3:  We went to our old haunt in Melrose.  Within a few takes he didn't even need me to push him off!

A Day of Roses

 Today's not over, so I don't think I should really say it yet, but it's been one of the best on record.  No one wants to fight.  Everyone wants to work together.  Pip entertained Meg while Viv and I got our teeth cleaned at the dentist.  Viv was not even scared a second and maintains her no cavity club status.  

Pip mastered his bike at the park where we all played happily in the heat, no complaints.  Home for naps, a day bath, and activity books.  

Maybe we are on the right track?

Free snacks

If you are ever in our part of town, stop by.  Good chance there'll be a free snack stand at our place.

Melted Ice Cream Fest

This is proof you make your own happiness.  It was suffocatingly hot.  Crowded.  Lines for everything.  Truthfully, I can rarely be that uncomfortable and not turn berzerker.  I dug my heels in, refusing to give into the misery.  And we did have fun.

Viv met Clifford.  Pip had about 5 samples of ice cream and took the high road on the 2 hour wait for a balloon animal.

We found a spot in the shade at the front of the stage and relaxed.

This day, I was proud of myself.

Toe Jam

Our town hold concerts each Wednesday during July and August for kids in the park.  We went to the first one with our good friends the Brown's.  The band was called "The Toe Jam Puppet Band" and they were awesome.

Meggie worked the crowd, making friends everywhere.  Except for this kid behind her.  He might be the grumpiest person on the planet.  Nothing she did could make him creak a smile.  Wonder if his name is Oscar?

Pip even got in the show.  He was the nicest monster.  Why is it when you are supposed to growl nastily, you only feel like a mewl of a growl?

Meggie dancing!

Sit Still

The text from an actual email I sent to Phil today:

"Pip and Viv have pissed me off so royally today.  The last straw was complete inability to sit still through lunch.  They are currently punished with sitting at the kitchen table, not allowed to get up, talk to each other, or touch each other.  For one hour.  We are twenty minutes in.  I have informed them that they will learn to sit patiently or they will see a wrath in me that have never thought possible.

Please send me strength telepathically."

He responded with this pic and:

"Best of luck!  I can't wait to come home and reinforce the results.

Love,
PB"

For the record, they did sit still.  The entire hour.  And when the microwave timer finally beeped, and I said it was over, they could get down.  Pip said:  "No Mom, it isn't over"  Still furious, I asked him what else he could possibly want.  He sauntered over and gave me the hugest hug until I collapsed to the floor.  Then Vivie joined in and this is where we coined the term, "Hug Hamburger"

Diaper Genie

Meg has mastered climbing up onto the couch.  From there she can reach the diaper basket we have on the table.  This is loads of fun.

 Ahh, so many choices.

Underwear?

Pip and Viv tell this joke so often at our house, Meg laughs even before the punchline!

Purple Leaf Plum

Are those cherries in our tree???  I could barely believe if but scampering explorer Pip had quickly scaled the tree and collected several red fuit that surely looked like cherries.

Turns out, it's a Purple Leaf Plum.  Thanks to Sharon Wert for figuring it out!

http://treesandshrubs.about.com/od/commontrees/p/PurpleLeafPlum.htm

Popsicle stick tower

One of today's activities ... from the summer box ... was to build a popsicle stick tower.  Had to reach the light above the dining room table.  Was harder than I expected.  Our first attempt failed miserably.  Not only was it completely unsturdy, but it used an inane amount of tape and sticks.

This was our second design.  Much more efficient and actually worked.  Needed to repeat our mantra "The Balases don't give up" many times during this one.

Puppet theater

Oh, the joy of returning home to Connor and Bridget!  How we missed you.  Pip and Connor immediately launched into making puppets and putting on a show.

Bridge and Vivie chatted away, catching up on all the details while riding bikes.  It is nice to have a good neighborhood to ease the pain of a vacation over.

Grumpers

Our last day at the beach and we were all a bit sad.  Pip and Viv were angry to be made to pose for yet another picture when there was important digging to be done.  

I did manage to at least get everyone into the same picture ... even if we aren't all looking at the camera!

OC, we'll see you next year!!!

Raft!

Took us a few days, but by the end of the week we all got into the swing of making beach friends.  Pip had a buddy named Chris.  The girls bonded with twin boys, James and William.  Here they are with William in their personal pool.

Aunt Jenny and I also got a raft -- Pip was ecstatic.  Beyond the point of being able to contain himself.  Until we got it out there.  Then he didn't like the waves one bit.  Vivie went into full hysterical panic over the waves hitting her.  I tried to calm her down -- to no avail.  She wanted out.  NOW.  I probably tried to long to convince her it was safe ... so there will be therapy to come about 20 years from now. 

But when Daddy came out, suddenly the kids felt safe enough to give it another try.  Here's Pip returning from a successful adventure. 

Vivie actually quite likes it, "if you wait for the waves to come to you, Mom".