Summer Thus Far...

We started summer with what is probably my favorite tradition of the year...strawberry shortcake for dinner.  Every year on the first day of summer (June 21st) we have strawberry shortcake for dinner and I think Laura and I look forward to it more than the kiddos do!  This year our friends Josh and Becca joined us (and gave us the great idea of putting some of the strawberries in our champagne) and we went deluxe.  We had the biscuits, strawberries and whipped cream (canned and homemade) of course, but we also had the options of vanilla yogurt, vanilla ice cream and/or chocolate syrup.  I had classic for dinner and then later had some with ice cream and chocolate syrup for dessert!

The kids were into the chocolate syrup and ice cream!  They loved getting to build their own "dinner"!

Also during the first week of summer, Haley and Abby went to Vacation Bible Camp at a local church.  This is their third year going and they look forward to it all through the year.  This year Haley made a very sweet little friend (as she tends to do wherever we go) and Abby, as usual was adored by her leaders.  It's funny dropping her off and picking her up, because she's the kid all the leaders know and think is so adorable!  This is a complete side-note, but I think it's really interesting that even though Haley is much more shy and reserved in new situations, she ALWAYS makes a friend and has a special little bond with that girl (so far no boys).  Abby, on the other hand is super out-going and charming, and she tends to be loved by, and really love, the adults/teachers wherever she is.  That's just something I've been noticing lately.  Not to say that Abby can't make friends, she just really like to engage adults!  Anyway, they loved VBC.  Seth and I stayed for the morning chapel every day, because he loved singing the songs and learning the motions and the verses!  He really wanted to go this year (although if I had actually been dropping him off, I'm sure he would have changed his tune), but I think he'll really love it next year! 

The theme was "Pandamania" and they wore these shirts each day.  Seth really wanted one, and he wore one of his red shirts each day!

The 3-5 year old chapel:)

The other thing we've been doing this summer is swim lessons.  All three kids at the same time:)  Their swim teacher is FANTASTIC and they are all really loving it.  Abby is really excelling at "airplane arms" (freestyle).  I've been loving a half hour twice a week to sit in the sun and just watch them.  Oh, and, the first day I kept thinking the teacher looked so familiar and she asked me if she had taught my kids before.  All of a sudden my lightbulb came on and I asked if she had gone to Camp Hammer.  I told her I was Snipe and she said "Oh my gosh.  Snipe.  These are all your kids!"  Such a fun little connection:)