August

August began with a Bridal Shower for Aunt Nichole. Tim took the toddlers to the "train park" in Waterloo. Almost 9 months later (yes, that's how backlogged the blog is), Simon still talks about the train park. Unfortunately, with coronavirus in the air, it doesn't look like it will be open for play again too soon.

What could be better than watching trains pass as you play?

The pretty girls cousins were all together at the shower.

Our summer days were winding down - school was starting back up again soon. It was crunch time for fun. First, off to the lake to catch baby fish and bob around in the water.

A trip to our favorite splash pad with Aunt Bridget and the kids.

Walks, picnics, popsicles...keep the summer days coming.  (See those underwear? No, potty training wasn't/isn't going well.)

Aunt B and Uncle E invited us to spend an afternoon at the lake with them. We don't have a boat, jet ski, or kid kayaks at our lake place so it was a real treat to play with all these toys! Felicity took a bit to get used to maneuvering through the water with a paddle but once she figured it out it was hard to get her back on land.

We celebrated a 50th anniversary at the "pool park" in Coldwater, Ohio and got to swim again. 

The last night of summer break was family date night. We took the kids to the restaurant where we had our first date and told them the story of how we met. We even ordered the famous bread pudding we ate on that date! Still so delicious.

Then it was back to school...and the rush of the mornings, busy-ness of the afternoons, and earlier bedtimes. 

First Day of School 2019-20

Simon misses his sisters so much when they're gone all day. Mommy, in her third trimester, became his playmate. "Push me in the laundry basket!" "Play trains with me." "Push me on the swings!" "Let me spray you."

Mommy missed those girls more than ever! Playing at the zoo with Aunt Bridget, Elijah, and Veronica helped Simon pass the hours.

And when Mommy tried to rest, he often found her and stayed close.

Daddy found a fun app to entertain the girls...

Check out that bump!

Miriam's 4-H club worked the cruise-in and parade for the ACD Festival. Tim was pretty thrilled to work the event with her and check out all the classic cars up close.

We closed out August by adding a bit of beauty to the home. We brought in a few a Felicity's beautiful sunflowers.

Mommy finished Simon's quilt for his big boy bed...the night he decided he was done with the crib!

One step closer to being ready for baby #5 to arrive.

May: Wrap Up

And if all that wasn't enough of our May activity...we also did our daily life (obviously). The zoo was open and that almost feels like a part of our daily life.

Tim took a day off of work to head to the zoo with Felicity's kindergarten and Vivian's 2nd grade classes. He loves to take advantage of field trips to spend some quality time with the girls at this age.

And Sarah was still chugging along on Simon's quilt.

Beautiful May weather meant lots of outdoor time...Simon's love affair with the lawn mower was in full bloom. When Tim wasn't home to mow with him, Simon circled the house over and over and over and over with his own mower. Do two year old boys ever tire?

The woods created some magical moments, too. We took our wild flower field guide outdoors one Sunday afternoon and identified as many flowers as we could find. Every shade of violet, asters, phlox, pinks, butterwort, forget-me-not, toad shade, and on. 

Miriam began her beekeeping 4-H project with Aunt B, who called when her bees arrived in the mail one afternoon. Throughout the month she observed Aunt B caring for her bees in hopes of having her own hive in a year or two.

And on less ideal weather days, Elijah and Simon kept each other company. Though we're not sure what happens to their clothes on these days!

Vivian and Miriam also had a lovely, butterfly-themed piano recital. Both did very well!!

End of May also means end of school. Miriam ran unopposed for Student Council Secretary. It was a good exercise in poster and speech making since she had a guaranteed win for her 4th grade year. 

The school took the kids to enjoy a local minor league baseball game. We made it a family outing. The kids all got sunglasses, hot dogs, a drink, and chips. The gentleman sitting behind our family even offered us half a bag of peanuts. Classic baseball goodness.  The day started out cold and rainy which meant a delayed game, but once the weather cleared it was an absolutely beautiful day!

And finally it was the last day of school with awards (have to brag a bit...all the girls earned High Honors). Daddy is so proud his cutie pies.

End of year photos with their teachers. It's a little heartbreaking how much they grow in just one school year. 

3rd Grade Miriam and Ms. Rieke

Kindergarten Felicity and Mrs. Mahoney

2nd grade Vivian and Mr. Yarnall