Granite Falls

At the end of June we went to Granite Falls for a wedding. We stayed with our friends the Rhodes and one night Emily and Sarah took the kids out to catch lightning bugs, which they loved! Maddie even slept with the jar of them by her bed that night. Then the day of the wedding we went out with them on the boat - Matt wakeboarded until it started raining. We left the camera on the boat, so we didn't get to take any pictures at the wedding.

Emily catching lightning bugs - it was quite a funny sight!
Putting the lightning bugs in the jar.

Trying to help Davis catch one.

Matt took off from their dock.

Maddie and Davis love being out on boats!!

Pullen Park

Mimi came for a few days in June and while she was here we went to Pullen Park for a playdate with several other Moms and their kids. Amy and Luke rode with us which the kids loved! This was the first time that they rode the boats this season. We played on the playgrounds, rode the boats, rode the train, fed the ducks, had a picnic lunch and Maddie and Mimi rode the carousel. I didn't take Davis because he had tried to get off the last time we went. Amy took the first 2 pictures of Maddie and Davis - thought they were pretty good. Enjoy!

Having fun while Mommy and Daddy Went Out on a Date

For our anniversary (in June) our friends Mike and Amy watched Maddie and Davis so that we could go out to dinner. We had a gift card and coupon to Cheesecake Factory, so we went there - yummy! The kids had a ball with Mike and Amy and Luke. They danced and played and posed for a few pictures. These are some of the pictures Amy got of their evening together. Thanks again Mike and Amy :)

Art Museum

One day earlier this summer I took the kids to the Art Museum here in Raleigh and they had a free craft time for the kids. There were 2 stations that the kids rotated through. Maddie was much more interested than Davis - reason why there are not any pictures of him. At the first station they used ink pads and made pictures with their finger prints. They also used markers to add detail. At the second station they tore construction paper and used glue sticks to glue the torn paper onto a bigger piece of paper. It is all about the process and not the product at this stage. Maddie just really enjoyed being able to use the glue stick and ink pads!

Playdate at the Mall

One Friday early in June we went to Triangle Town Center for a playdate with just the three of us. We started at Barnes and Noble where they had a storytime and the kids heard a story, colored a picture and then got a small smoothie as a snack. After the storytime they played at a Thomas the Train train table for a long time. They both really enjoy playing with trains - we have noticed at church, museums, and other places that have train tables set up. Next, we went downstairs to the play area and they played on the slides and climbed on the climbing equipment for a while. We then headed outside and had our picnic lunch that I had packed. After lunch I changed the kids into their bathing suits and let them play in the "water fountains". Maddie loved it and would squeal when the water shot up out of the ground and got her wet. Davis did not want anything to do with it and just walked around on the sidewalk around the water saying "No" when I asked him if he wanted to go in. Here are some pictures from our free outing!

Davis taking his shoes off like a big boy!
Climbing on what they like to call "Franklin"

Maddie anticipating getting sprayed.

Notice the ground is not even wet where Davis is walking :)

Sprinkler Fun

Early in June we went over to Amy's house for a play date and took the kids outside to play in the sprinkler after lunch. Maddie was really the only one interested in actually playing in the sprinkler. We tried to coax Luke and Davis with balls, but it didn't seem to work too well. They still seemed to have a good time. Davis was content to sit in my lap and watch the other kids without getting wet.

Maddie didn't really run through the sprinkler, but she would stick her hand in it and enjoyed getting sprayed.

We did not line the kids up against the wall - they all did it on their own letting us know that they were finished and ready to go inside.

Train station

The day of Maddie's recital Apple came in to Cary from Charlotte on the train, so we took the kids to go and meet him. Here is Maddie waiting with Gaga on the bench.

Here comes the train!

Davis had been asleep, but as the train was coming into the station it blew its whistle and Davis woke right up and started saying "rain, rain".

Here is Apple saying hi to Maddie and Gaga after he got off of the train.