First Day of Primary School!

Today Sophie started at the primary school! After two years at the Toddler House she is now with the "big kids." Greene Towne opened up a new classroom this year for the ADM kids (Add Day Montessori), and it's beautiful. Huge, with a separate eating area, practical life area, and movement room. She's also with some friends that were with her the first year of the Toddler House.

Here's her first day outfit, picked out without any help from mom....

The End of Summer

Sadly, summer has come to an end... But we got in as much as we could the last few weeks.

We met up with Sophie's friend Liam from school to fly a kit in Washington Square. They were both pretty good at keeping it up. And Dave got pretty good at detangling the string.

We went to the Philadelphia Folk Festival. This was the first time that we've been and it was a lot of fun. Very family-friendly. We hit the kid's stage (which is where this picture was taken). It took her a few minutes to warm up, but once she was Sophie was a dancing maniac. 

We went to the zoo with Nana and Pap Pap when they were here last weekend. We checked out the new kids zoo, where Sophie pet some goats. She also chased around some chickens (but luckily didn't catch any). 

And on the last day before school started, we hit the Camden aquarium

Bath Time

I mentioned in the previous post that Lauren loves the water. Bath time is a highlight of her day, especially now that she doesn't have to sit in the bath seat for it. She loves to reach for the water coming out of the faucet (and is fascinated when her hand goes through it), and splash her hands around like crazy, getting water everywhere. Here's a video: http://youtu.be/yVEKKRzJvDs

Post-bath butterfly

Lauren and Julia

Lauren has been spending her days with Michelle, her nanny, and Julia, our neighbor that she does the nanny share with (and her future best friend). They're getting bigger and interacting much more. Michelle is great and does a lot of activities with them every day. 

Water play is a favorite of Lauren's. She loves to splash around (I'll post pics of her in the bath soon)

Here are the future scholars at the library. Julia needs to give Lauren a little instruction on the correct way to hold a book...

Virginia

A few weeks ago we took a weekend trip down to Virginia. We were dropping Sophie off to stay with my parents for the week between summer camp and the start of the school year. It was quick but we got in a good visit with some friends.

Sophie and Jack got to spend some good time together...

As did Lauren and Vahid. He was fascinated with her and wouldn't leave her alone. I guess he was happy to have someone at his level for once. 

 We also did a hike up Hump Back Rock. Sophie did most of it on her own (although Dave might tell it differently), and I carried Lauren in the carrier. It was, as always, a beautiful view from the top.

We also hosted a BBQ at my parents house with all of my Va. friends, and their kids. Here's a pic of the growing brood! 

And of course Lexi and Sophie got to catch up.

And of course, Sophie got the royal treatment while she was with my mom and dad. What a lucky little princess. 

Canada

We just back for a quick trip up to Brad & Joan's fishing cabin in Canada. Unfortunately we were only able to stay a few days of the week vacation, but we packed as much fishing, reading and relaxation as possible into those days. Dave was also testing out our new camera lenses, so of the 400 pictures (literally), here are just a few. Of course none can capture the absolute beauty of the area.

There was of course fishing, and a lot of it. Sophie caught her fair share of sunnies, and also one bass! Uncle Brad let Sophie in on his secret - fish with a net off the dock. 

Pap Pap also imparted some knowledge on how to fish with a rod

Dave bought a wake board for the trip and it got some good use as Dan drive him around and around the island

Off the water the other most popular activity is reading. 

And of course s'mores at night! 

And Lauren made some big developmental progress while in Canada too - she is now getting on all 4s and rocking back and forth. She also cut her first tooth (7 1/2 months)! Benson is starting to get a little weary about how quickly she can move toward him, as you can see from his look in this picture.

Group shot! 

The End of Summer Camp

Sadly another summer has almost come to an end - although we're trying to fit as much as possible into what's left. Sophie went to camp at her school, so knew most of the other kids and teachers. She was with the "big kids" this summer, rather than the toddlers. It was a good introduction to being with the big kids, because when school starts in September she'll be one of the younger ones in the class.

Each week camp had a different theme. Outside groups came in to the present to the school, and the kids also took field trips that fit in with the theme. Here are a few of the highlights:

Soph touching a horseshoe crab during "sea creatures" week

 Every Friday they had swim lessons at SWEAT gym. She got really comfortable in the water, which is great. Here she is swimming around on the noodle all by herself (which I've still never seen in person)

And there was lot of fun to be had on the play deck. Notice the beautiful planter in the background that Dave helped to build.

On the last day they got their faces painted. Sophie of course requested to be a princess.