Super Summer Recap

We have had a very busy summer.  It's been my first summer being home, and I have loved it.  These pictures are in semi-chronological order...except the Pony Show was in the Spring.  I was hoping to get permission to post a few cute closeup group shots, but I never had the chance to talk to all the kids' parents.  

Pony Show

(Did I already post this?) E and Viv were part of the Pony Show at Fairhunt Farm.  The girls were patient, but it was a very long wait; all the older riders went first, is that typical for a pony show?  Vivian was in the Lead Line/Hunter Pleasure category.  

Vivian riding

Blue Ribbon!

Elena was in the beginner Walk/Trot category.  She was excited, but not super excited to be on Teacup; she can be a feisty pony.  She had a leader and a side walker, both extremely helpful and kind girls.  

Smiling for the judges

Trot!

White Ribbon!

Blueberry Picking at Grelen

The family went picking at an absolutely gorgeous farm.  We harvested blueberries and black raspberries!  The farm is relatively small, and pretty accessible for Elena.

Vivian

Elena

What a view!

Maymont

We visited the Richmond Maymont Estate with some friends.  It is pretty expansive, so we brought Elena's wheelchair.  She used it about a third of the time--it was pretty hot and she was thankful for the ride (as was Vivian).

Some of the garden walkways are very steep and uneven

E at the Bear Pen

Simply Gorgeous

Fourth of July

We went for a walk the morning of the Fourth.

Fourth Cuties!

After resting, we went to the neighborhood pool party.  E and Viv had a great time swimming and playing with friends.  We stayed up for fireworks at a different friend's house.

Sparkler Girls

We got a double-dose of Fourth action the following day, where there was a weekend celebration in Crozet.  We hung out with our friends the Rs, enjoying dinner, a great parade, and community fireworks that were set off right outside their house.  Can't beat the view from their front porch!

E sparklers

Viv sparklers

Swimming at the Lake

We went to visit our friends the Andersons for a lake swim!  It was such a great time with good friends!  We did some kayaking too, but everyone preferred to swim b/c it was a hot day.

E gives Viv a ride

E and Avery

Snack Pile

Finally captured a Rainbow!

We make a pretty big seasonal "bucket list", and one of them was to see a rainbow.  Every time it rained during the day we would look for one, and we finally found one.

Rainbow Girls

Beautiful Afternoon

Overall we've spent our 'home' portion of summer swimming, exercising, stretching, playing with friends, and enjoying our community.  It's been fantastic!

Labor Day Weekend at the Lake

We were invited to a family friend's Lake House over Labor Day weekend.  The girls LOVE Captain Gerry and Ms. Arlene!  It was a beautiful day--perfect weather, great company, delicious food, fun times.

E and Viv love the windy ride

Captain and the crew

Viv in front

E hanging out

The girls were different on the water this year.  Vivian was not so timid, and Elena was more stable.  I think a lot of that was because both are bigger than last year.  Elena also seems to be understanding that when her feet are flat on the ground, it improves her balance foundation.  That's especially important here, as she is moving around mostly in bare feet/water shoes.

Dad was allowed to drive the boat...fast!

After our boat ride, the girls wanted to swim in the lake.  The water was cool, but the weather was hot--very refreshing!

Pink Dolphins waiting to take the plunge

"Swim School"

Sisters swimming

We tried a new thing this year...tubing!  We saw lots of other people on the water, so this year we decided to try it.  I wasn't worried about Captain Gerry driving too fast, and I wasn't worried about the kids in their floatation vests having trouble if the tube capsized for any reason.  I was worried about possibly getting caught up in a deflating tube, or just the kids being scared in general.  I went with one child at a time.

Our first try, the tube ended up not being properly plugged after inflating, so Elena and I had to "abandon tube" a few minutes into our ride.  Elena and I laughed the whole time, it was a very funny situation--especially since I felt prepared for it.  We got back on the boat, fixed the tube, and tried again.

Mom and Viv tubing!  

Mom and E tubing!

Vivian preferred a calm tow, while Elena liked being fast and going over bumpy waves.  We weren't the only ones who had a new water adventure...Jason went water skiing too!  My pictures/movies are mostly of him wiping out (my camera got full) but he was successful and managed to get up on his skis!  I didn't try...I have been water skiing only once, and I don't think contact lens wearers make great novice skiers.

We adjourned into the house for a delicious meal.  We were all exhausted from such a fun, stimulating adventurous day.  Thank you so much, T family--what a way to celebrate Labor Day!

Fourth of July Weekend at Lake Louisa

Happy 4th!

We started off our long weekend with an invite to a family friend's lake house. I wasn't sure what to expect...there was supposed to be games (all on the beach), swimming, heat, sun, boating?, and hopefully Vivian taking a nap so we could enjoy the lake for a whole day.

We had a great time. It was a (relatively) relaxing time for Jason and I, which we rarely have.

Elena and Vivian both took part in a few games--but there were lots of (able-bodied) kids, and the games mainly were race/speed oriented. In one game, the coordinator was gracious enough to include E in the 5-yr old category (there were only a total of three kids) in a dress-up race. Elena needed help, and she hadn't gotten dressed (everyone had some help with the grass skirts) by the time everyone had finished. But you know what? When she was walking (no braces, swim shoes, and holding Jason's hand) EVERYONE was cheering and clapping. And we were all proud. And E got a medal, which she was very happy about. No one at the event knew us, and everyone was very supportive, including all the kids.

We played and swam on the beach, which the kids loved and I did not (I do not particularly like swimming in lakes). They found snails and we made sandcastles.


We ate a great lunch, and both Vivian and Elena (and Jason and Grandpa) took naps. Then we went on a BOAT. Vivian was SO EXCITED!! But not about the lifejackets...


E loved going FAST!


Viv preferred cruising in the front


Captain Gerry taking us on a cruise


Elena "chillin' out"


My girls before/at dinner: they helped shuck corn, and were excited to "eat on the couch" (b/c that's not allowed at home)








The day was lovely. Thank you so much to our hosts, Gerry and Arlene. Our whole family loved the adventure, the lounge time, the food, and the hospitality!