A Hug And A Kiss Are For Your Birthday!

Happy 41st birthday to me! My sweet little Abizella set her alarm bright and early and paced in and out of my room until she heard me stir. She rushed in with her You Spa menu. Oh how I love my birthday!

Little Jaws woke up exceptionally cheery. He ran down the stairs and cheerfully announced, "A hug and a kiss are for your birthday mommy!" Then he went and dressed up like mommy. We could be twins!

Abizella wanted a private You Spa Session this time so we moved it to her room. I love that banana-honey face mask! So refreshing!

Her artistic manicure was called, "cloudy skies" complete with sunny, sparkly, yellow thumb nails and baby blue fingers with clouds. I love it!

The big moment... Blueberry pie and a smorgasbord of Benny and Jerry's deliciousness!

 Look at the intent expression. This was a doozy wish!

 My adorable kiddos...

 And the best part of my birthday- being with all of my favorite people!

The folks at work have my number too! Xin prepared a trifle with most of my favorite things- lemon and toasted coconut! Mmmmmmm

At Last!

It was my pleasure to pick up the kiddos on their second-to-last day of school. Superkid came along too. Another school year down! It is the most wonderful time of the year!

Pops wanted to celebrate the big day in the best imaginable way. 

He and Jaws absconded to Hornstra Farm for our favorite creamy treat.

6 half-gallons of delicious chocolate milk!

Pops pulled out the crystal goblets to toast the kids in their successful school year. Middle school is the first to let out so Superkid was first on the scene...

But he was happy to imbibe with others as well...

Let's all raise a glass TO SUMMER!

Moving On Up

Abizella is moving up and out of elementary school. 

Here she is with her very best good friend at her promotion ceremony.

 The proud moment when she walked across the elementary stage.

And with a shake of the principal's hand, she advances to middle school.

 I love you Abizella. You are my heart. You are the package. You are bright, compassionate, inclusive, fun-loving, creative and beautiful inside and out. I am grateful everyday to be your mother and watch your life unfold.

Getting There is Half the Fun

As I was saying, there are few things I love more than a minivan packed with my favorite Toads. It means adventure-time! We were expecting a 3-hour tour... but the navigator (who shall remain nameless) snoozed after lunch and failed to give Pops adequate directions. But no matter- small town New England is wonderfully quaint and the countryside was filled with wildflowers. Nobody minded the additional hour in the van. The kids were perfectly content listening to audio books (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Chronicles of Narnia and James and the Giant Peach).

Did I mention it was a camping wedding?

On a hill? In the morning we were only occupying the bottom quarter of the 8-man tent. One pile of Toads. The night was like a slow motion slippery slide.

But actually, most Toads did not arise until 8:00- which gave Little Chief and I plenty of quality time together. We went for a little walk in the woods. We saw a deer jump right in front of us, crows, woodpeckers and wildflowers.

Little Chief worked on his photography skills...

He thought this was an awesome spin on a selfie...

And this was the best rock on the path...

Then we went back to the in where the wedding was held- which was also the scene of the best night of our kid's young lives. They played and played and played on this pirate ship. Fortunately it was right off the patio where the wedding party was held so everyone had a great time.

There was also a pool. This little stinker begged and begged to swim during the wedding. Finally she took matters in her own hands and jumped in fully clothed. All the kids took a dip the next morning.

After a delicious breakfast of omelettes and toast we set off to our next Vermont adventure- LUNCH.

It was so good Tadpole was sure to leave his compliments to the chef.

Don't think the little guy can't tackle that hamburger.

Then we pressed on to the Joseph Smith Birth Site in Sharon, VT.

Last time we were here was Pop's birthday two years ago. 

This year it was a Father's Day visit!

The peonies were dazzling!

They reminded me of when Abizella was a a wee thing and would draw pink peonies in all of her masterpieces.

This view of the monument also includes the footprint of the Smith home where Joseph was born.

Then LC challenged the boys to a strike a pose.

The Egyptian...

The Fist...

The middle school stud...

Abizella sweet-talked the missionaries into giving us the golf-cart tour!

Nobody loved it more than Jaws who giggled and chortled and screamed, 

"I very want to drive home in this golf car!"

The missionary kindly chauffeured us to the family homestead.

We love VERMONT!