Archive for August, 2015

Summer ice skating

Posted in Family outings, Leah, Molly on August 30th, 2015 by c-had – Be the first to comment

We had a mostly free Saturday, and the girls wanted to go out and do something with me. We ended up deciding to go ice skating. Yes, our ice rink is open in August. So, we escaped the heat for some frozen fun.

Summer ice skating

Note that while it was cold, it wasn’t that cold. I took off my jacket and skated in jeans and a t-shirt. Leah eventually took off her jacket (though not her gloves or scarf), but Molly refused to remove her winter-wear.

The girls and I had a great time. Molly skated on her own the entire time, while Leah switched between using the walker and holding my hand. Leah may have needed some support, but that didn’t slow her down. She went around so fast I could hardly keep up.

Our time on the ice was grand, but it was not enough frozen fun for us. So, we made a quick stop at Yogi Castle for a chilly treat. Between the ice rink and the fro-yo, we certainly beat the heat.

3-D Fun

Posted in Crafts, Leah, Molly on August 28th, 2015 by jen – Be the first to comment

Molly and Leah spent a week in August learning about 3-D crafts at the Howard County Arts Council. The week’s projects included creating a plaster bird, and designing and sewing a plush monster. Both girls love arts & crafts, so they had a fantastic week in camp together!

3-D Fun

Mommy Sewing Lessons, Week 5

Posted in Leah, Molly, Sewing on August 27th, 2015 by jen – Be the first to comment

The girls made their own Fat Quarter skirts. They decided it was best to model along with their tote bags from the previous week.

Fat quarter skirts

Making these skirts with the girls required a lot more assistance with ironing and inserting elastic, so no additional action shots from this lesson.

Mommy Sewing Lessons, Week 4

Posted in Leah, Molly, Sewing on August 26th, 2015 by jen – 1 Comment

Molly has really enjoyed learning to sew. She needs help some of the time, but I can give her basic directions and she takes off.

Enjoying the process

Leah is a very patient seamstress. She’s slow and steady, which is great for achieving straight lines!

Patient seamstress

The girls were excited to show off their custom Easy Tote Bags. The bags turned out bright and colorful (just like the girls’ new tie-dye shirts!)

Colorful totes

First day of school for all

Posted in Leah, Molly, School on August 25th, 2015 by c-had – Be the first to comment
First day of school

Yes, the day has come. Yesterday, Leah headed off to kindergarten. No longer a preschooler, she now joins her sister in elementary school.

Ready for kindergarten

Molly’s now an old pro, headed off to third grade. She’s wearing a skirt that Jen made for her this weekend.

Third grader

Grams made this dress for Aunt Caroline’s first day of kindergarten. Molly wore it her first day of kindergarten as well. Now Leah is wearing it her first day of kindergarten. The smocking plate is even called Kindergarten Scissors.

Traditional dress

Here’s Molly wearing it 3 years ago.

First day of kindergarten

And Aunt Caroline wearing it 19 years ago.

Aunt Caroline to kindergarten

I know that lots of kids dread the start of school, but these girls are definitely not like them. They’re very excited to get back in the classroom.

Excited for school

Two sisters, walking to school together for the first time.

Walking to school

As usual, the neighborhood kids gathered for a picture on the walk to school.

Neighborhood kids

While many of the kindergartners were crying at drop off, Leah and her new friend were happy to start the day.

Happy friends

Kindergartners lined up and following their teacher to their classroom.

Off to class

Both girls had an excellent first day, exiting the school with big smiles on their faces at the end of the day. We’re looking forward to a great school year.

Sneak a Peek

Posted in Leah, Molly, School on August 24th, 2015 by c-had – Be the first to comment

Friday, the girls had each got to go to school for a Sneak a Peek to meet their teachers and some of their new classmates and tour their new classrooms. First up was Leah. Yes, Leah is headed to kindergarten.

Here’s Leah with her Kindergarten teacher, Miss Leotta. She’s been ready to start Kindergarten since we signed her up in March and now it’s finally here!

Ready for Kindergarten

Leah was excited to make a new friend in her Kindergarten class. The best part is that they share a birthday!

They could be twins

3rd Grade in Mrs. Wanex’s class will be super fun since Jordan and Molly are in the same class for the third year.

3rd Graders

Birthday surprise

Posted in Celebrations, Family visits, Molly on August 23rd, 2015 by c-had – Be the first to comment

Back in March, when Molly opened her birthday card from Aunt EA and Uncle Scott, I was recording her. Aunt EA and Uncle Scott are known for giving fun singing cards that the girls love, so I wanted to capture their reaction. Little did I know that there was a bit more of a surprise than we were expecting. I wasn't allowed to share this video at the time, but I thought I'd go back and do so now.

Yes, we’re expecting a nephew around Thanksgiving, and this is how my sister told us about it. I wish I had kept recording, but I was so shocked I immediately hit stop. In case you couldn’t guess it, Jen’s next word was “way”.

Highlands visit

Posted in Family visits, Trip on August 12th, 2015 by c-had – Be the first to comment

We arrived at Grammy’s place and immediately ate lunch. We hung out for a while chatting (and doing a bit of tech support) before checking into our hotel. Then Grammy took us out for dinner and ice cream.

The next day, after going out to lunch, we headed to a playground. The girls played for a while, but were tempted by the pool next to the playground. So, we eventually changed into our swimsuits and the girls and I swam while Jen and Grammy chatted.

The pool had recently received some fancy upgrades including a retractable roof and this fun water slide. After passing a deep water test, Molly was allowed to use the slide (over and over). It wasn’t huge, but it was fast and shot you out so you almost skipped along the water. Thumbs up, Molly!

Water slide

After some baths, we headed to a pizza place for dinner. While we waited for our food, Leah made sure to show Grammy her lost tooth.

Lost tooth

Grammy took us to a fantastic ice cream shop called SweetTreats both evenings, which the girls loved. They let you create your own flavors, then sit outside to enjoy the delicious treat. Thanks, Grammy!

Thanks Grammy

After a couple days in Highlands and just under two weeks on the road, it was finally time to head home. The 11 hour drive home was uneventful (and included a delicious lunch at Zaxby’s). And then we finally got to sleep in our own beds again.

The drive to Highlands

Posted in Family visits, Trip on August 11th, 2015 by c-had – Be the first to comment

The drive to Highlands was only about 4 hours long, but that doesn’t mean nothing worth writing about happened.

On the way to Highlands, we needed to make a bathroom break. When we discovered the rest stop was closed, we were forced to stop at one of my old favorite places that does not exist in Maryland - Krystal. And since we were going to have a late lunch in Highlands and Krystal’s burgers are so tiny, it seemed only prudent to have one to tide us over.

Krystal

As we got closer to Highlands, Jen glanced back to find this in the backseat. These girls were troopers on all these travels.

Travelers

The end

Posted in Family visits, Trip on August 11th, 2015 by c-had – Be the first to comment

After the last day of camp, we made sure to take a picture of the kids in the giant chair near the beach. (Don’t ask why they have a giant chair. Just accept that it’s awesome.) Here you can see a whole spectrum of emotions.

Giant chair

Now one with everybody. Everyone was happy to be taking this picture, as you can see.

Happy family

The week was so much fun, but it eventually had to come to an end. Saturday morning it was time to leave. Before hopping in the car, we took a picture of the four of us (and a couple of new stuffed animals). I believe this may have been the only picture of the four of us from the entire week.

The four of us

Thanks G’Mom and Grampa for an awesome week!

Thanks

That was the end of our time in Callaway Gardens, but not the end of our trip. Everyone else was headed home, but we still had another destination before that. Next stop - Highlands, North Carolina to visit Grammy.

Table of Contents for Callaway Gardens 2015