After hanging out with my family for the afternoon, we headed to a field at UMBC to watch the Catonsville fireworks, as we have done in yearspast. We got there an hour early, so the kids (and one dad) had some fun while we waited for dark.
As you can see, the girls were amazed by the fireworks. This red one was particularly astounding.
We look a bit clearer when the fireworks illuminating us are white.
Here are some obligatory shots of the fireworks. That dark shape on the bottom left is Molly’s head.
The girls’ favorite fireworks were the flowers, as seen at the top here. They didn’t last long when they went off, but they were very cool.
We gathered together with my family on the 4th of July to celebrate Independence Day, and some birthdays. First up - Aunt Caroline. She seems pleased with her new shirt. Yes, that’s the Magic School Bus full of kids headed to Hogwarts. And, yes, I got one for myself as well.
We also celebrated Grams’s birthday. Aunt EA and Uncle Scott delighted all when their musical card led to an impromptu dance party.
After opening presents and eating way too much, we played cards (Texas Rummy) with my family. Molly got to play her own hand (with some help from Uncle Scott). And she won. She was so excited.
Chad's youngest sister is getting married in August. So, the girls and I celebrated with Aunt Caroline at her bridal shower last weekend. Here's a lovely photo of the bride and her flower girls.
Like aunt, like nieces. Beautiful girls, just beautiful.
To celebrate the end of preschool, Jen organized a party at Leah’s friend Norah’s house. They have a creek in their backyard, so all the kids spent most of their time there.
Squirt guns brought smiles.
Both Molly and Leah have this little boy in their crosshairs.
Playing in water can be such fun.
Towards the end, after many people had already left, the kids finally got out of the creek to play in a dry place.
Thanks so much to our hosts for such a great time!
Last week, Leah attended a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese’s. As Jen is not a fan of the establishment, I went along as her parental supervisor. Leah loved playing all the games. She was especially good at this basketball game.
Not long ago, Leah would have been scared to death of Chuck E (as the birthday girl here was, which is why she’s not pictured). Now, Leah’s giving him a high five with a smile on her face. She’s come a long way.
Last week was a big day for Leah - graduation day! Which meant it was Leah’s last day of preschool. This is very bittersweet as we love our preschool. I can’t believe she’s gotten so big.
For reference, here she was on her first day of preschool this year.
And her first day last year.
And for good measure, from the year before, her very first day of preschool.
Jen made Leah a new dress for her preschool graduation. She was a bit crunched to find sewing time with G’Mom and Grampa in town, but the dress was finished on time!
Here’s Leah sitting up front in her cap, gown, and stole, ready to graduate.
Hey, that’s me!
Here’s a taste of what the graduation ceremony was like for those who could not be present.
Of note, her teacher predicts that she will be a “Broadway musical star”. If you look back 3 years to Molly’s graduation video, you’ll find that she was predicted to be a “Broadway superstar”. I guess it runs in the family.
And here she is receiving her diploma.
Smile! I had to take this quickly before she hurried off the steps.
Here’s Leah with Miss Kelly and Miss Kathy.
Molly really wanted to be there for Leah’s graduation, so we relented and let her skip school for the morning to attend.
Grams, Jen, and I were there too.
Leah’s a popular girl in her class. She may be drawn on the top of one of these boys’ hats.
Friends, graduates. In cute dresses.
We managed to avoid being too sad about the end of preschool because Leah was signed up for a 1 week day camp at her preschool the following week. So, graduation wasn’t the end. Sadly, today is the last day of that camp. So, now it really is the end. And now my eyes seem to be wet for some reason. Congratulations, Leah!
Sunday was Jen’s birthday. After morning worship, we headed home for some lunch and birthday presents.
When we pulled out the presents for Jen, she was surprised to have large boxes from both of the girls. One large box might have been the inline skates she’d been wanting, but two? Ah, now she sees. This large box from Molly only has one skate in it.
After getting one skate, what could be in the large box from Leah?
It’s another skate!
That afternoon, we went to a performance of Godspell by the Young Columbians. Then we all went to the Ale House for a delicious birthday dinner.
Those desserts in front of us are their Skillet Cookie - a big chocolate chip cookie cooked in a small cast iron skillet, which they bring out still hot and in the skillet with a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. It’s crazy good.
Saturday afternoon, we walked two doors down to a neighborhood Memorial Day party. Molly and Leah spent a good bit of time swinging around.
Leah put her gymnastics skills to work.
Molly wanted to have me take a picture of her jumping off the swing. She does this all the time, but apparently trying to show off for the camera pushed her to over-rotate. She landed face first on her arm, which was thankfully OK after a little ice.
On Mother’s Day, both of the girls’ choirs sang in church. Sadly, they did not sing at the same service. So, we got to go to two services.
First up was Molly’s choir. They sang a couple of songs and didn’t make it easy for me to get it on video, but I did my best. She looks so grown up with the music folder in her arms.
Leah’s choir sang at the next service. Their song really pulled at the heartstrings. I teared up a bit (and continued to do so every time I rewatched it to edit the video).
Great job girls. I know your mom (and dad) appreciated it.
