Playing with Friends

We've been romping on many different playgrounds this summer - working out lots of Meredith's energy while trying to keep cool.

We discovered a great park in Mt. Airy that has water play options as well as a wonderfully designed toddler-sized playground.  So much fun!  

The last two weeks we've met Judah there to romp.

Judah is all boy and an absolute pro at water play - AMAZING!!

Meredith prefers to run through the area squealing while keeping as far away from the sprinklers as possible.  HILARIOUS...and so girly! :p

This week we played with little Derek as our "goodbye" play date before the Bucey's move in a few weeks.  We've been going to the Morris Arboretum for walks together since little Derek was a few months old.  We will miss them dearly!

What a cute little go-getter this guy is at 10.5 months and already beginning to toddle around!

Summertime

Amidst a still full and busy summer schedule, we are finding time to relax and spend time with good friends.  Last week the Morris Arboretum had a day where members could bring guests for free!  So, we took the opportunity to introduce Isaac and Emily to this beautiful place and used it as another excuse (do we even need one?!) to spend an evening with them. :)

Our sweet little farm up north had fresh blueberries when I was last there, so I picked up 20 lbs and have been enjoying making all sorts of summer-y dishes with them.  I made blueberry pie and Erik tried a recipe for the crust that was gluten-free.  So delicious!

Meredith, as usual, loved the evening in the garden and ran about exclaiming about everything she saw!

Rainy Day Saturday

(The rare post by Daddy.)

After my plans for a daddy-daughter date were thwarted by rain this Saturday (though I was still happy since it gave our tomatoes a good drink), I decided not to let that keep me from having some quality time with Mer with some rainy day activities.  

After building a tent in our living room, we spent a couple hours bringing her stuffed animals (all of whom she has now named - using the names of her toddler friends) into the tent, reading Curious George, and having a lot of laughs.

This was followed by a painting session before lunch.  After doing one each by ourselves, we collaborated on another (seen below).  MJ loves feeling the paint in her hands and smearing it across the paper (and her nose!). 

I feel as if her hands are as much a work of art as the picture we drew!  :)

Zoo Trip

Some generous friends included us on their trip to the zoo and got us in on their membership pass this week!  So very fun!!  Meredith is at such a fun age for animal viewing/spotting. :)

Of course, my all-time favorite were the giraffes.  How did you guess?? ;)

This guy kept trying to floss his teeth with his tongue....or was sticking it out at us.

Meredith loved watching the gorillas, and they were so active while we were there.

I can't stop laughing at the proportions of hippos.  Look at their ears in relation to the rest of their enormous bodies - hilarious!!

We saw a bit of a kids concert while we were there.  Meredith marched right up with the other kids when the musicians called upon children to "dance" to the music in the front.  What a social little girl. 

(Do you see Meredith holding her doll, "baby ellie?"  This baby doll gets constant attention and royal treatment in our household.  

Just hope it's all good training for Mer when our real baby enters her world) :)

Halfway!

We had our 20 week ultrasound this week.  So thankful for a healthy, strong little babe inside me.

 We saw lots of movement and many open mouth shots - so cute!  

We may have another talker on our hands pretty soon. :)

Here's my 20 week + a few days belly.  Erik took this at the arboretum this week (making me laugh!)

4th of July

We had a "just our little family" day for the 4th of July :)  

In the morning we watched a local parade - very impressive and fun.  

Mer was amazed and perhaps overwhelmed...

In the evening, we kept Meredith up late and went to her first fireworks show.  Erik and I chuckled through the whole display, and I wish we had taken a video to capture Meredith saying: "Oh, WOW!" and  "Oh, oh!" "Boom, boom!"  So fun!

NC Visit

Jane and Meredith enjoyed a week in North Carolina with Jane's family while I stayed home working and doing some home projects.

Meredith had a blast at parks and a lot of pool time throughout the week.

  

Aunt Tricia and Granna always joined in the fun too!