Short and Sweet....

I didn't have time to find our video camera, set it up, etc. but I HAD to catch this moment on film. Our LL is absolutely becoming a singer and dancer, no doubt. She hears a Latin beat and her feet start moving, she twirls, she "sings", it is absolutely delightfully hilarious and SO SWEET! Today was exceptional as she was in the mood to dress up so she had on one of Mom's nighties and my pearls. I put in DB's new Santana CD and when Maria, Maria came on the little dancer began her performance. Hope this makes you smile at least 1/2 as much as me. Happy Weekend!


Broadway Bound


Singing her little heart out!


You Go Girl!!


She's got her groove on!!


Check out those moves!


Waiting for the applause...

Four Days at the Lake = Four Days of Bliss...

Day One, Fourth of July, Parade and Fireworks

I think the Fourth of July has got to be my second most favorite day of the year next to Christmas of course. Mostly because it is the one day of the year that we can always count on our whole group of friends and their children to be together. It is also the day that I catch up with several of my high school friends that I grew up with. We are SO fortunate to have grown up in a small town where traditions run deep and the value of returning to keep in touch has not faded after (um-hum 20+ years). For this I am blessed beyond measure.

Day One began with our annual trip to the Town Beach in the neighboring village. In truth, it is more like an old-fashioned swimming hole. But the playground and picnic area is great and the beach is very kid friendly. I must also add that it is normally SO QUIET there that the maximum beach capacity is 35, yup, 35. That is one underwhelmed lifeguard. BUT...on the Fourth of July things are different. Thankfully they always politely overlook the headcount that day.


The Annual Photo of all the Children, Priceless!


Paul...what more can I say :0)


The Guyz, getting ready...


JUMP!!!!!


All Kids, Big and Small

The Parade in my hometown is a much anticipated event for the children for two reasons. The candy, and it means the fireworks are coming soon. This year was LL first Fourth of July up north. She held up very well, considering the pace, the over-stimulation, the number of strangers who fussed over her, the late night and the noisy (but AWESOME) fireworks. In fact she had us ALL just about splitting a seam when we were sitting lakeside waiting for the fireworks to begin. I'm not sure what inspired her, but all of a sudden she just burst into "song". It was absolutely hysterical!! She just stood there, with her little back to the lake, facing countless onlookers and sang to her hearts content. Then all of a sudden she would pause for a moment and clap her hands and say, "Yay-y-y-"! All the while fully expecting you to show your gratitude accordingly.


Our Group at the Parade


Santa Rides a Harley?!


Parade Fun with Mama


Um, whatever...


Singing for Joy, Reveling in the Laughter


Lovin' the Audience, Waiting for the Applause


Chilaxin, waiting for the fireworks


Patriotic Music Set Against a Beautiful Backdrop


Ah, There is No Place Like Home...

Days Two Through Four...Family, Friends, Frivolity


Tea Party-Adirondack Style


Flowers for the Centerpiece


Beach Beauty's


Lakeside and Lovin' It


Lovebug and Little Ladybug


LL's New Toy, Thank You Aunt Tammy!


Life is Tough...


Music by the Lake


Another Good Day at the Lake


Storytime with Mama Lovebug


My Three Guyz


BB, Hope your Face Doesn't Freeze Like That!!

Birthdays and New Experiences...

The last few days have been alot of fun for LL. Her good friend Sidster celebrated her second birthday. There was a pinata, a bouncy bounce, Nemo EVERYTHING, pizza, cake and of course ice cream. What more could a toddler ask for? I think LL's favorite part was when she got M & M's and lollipops from the pinata, you should have seen her face when they fell on the floor, SO FUNNY! Happy Birthday Sidster, you are such a sweet little girl and special friend. Also at Sidster's party, we caught up with our friends Jude and Colleen who are expecting their first child anyday. We can't wait to hear the good news, hurry baby we want to meet you. I'll post photos when the big day arrives.


Sidney's Baba Being Brave Enough to Hold the Pinata


Nemo Cake with Sidster, YUM!


Soon to be Mama in Red


The Expectant Daddy in Green


Yesterday was yet another adventure for LL as she made her first trip to a little (and I mean little) local kiddy amusement park. To her it could have been Disney with how much fun she had. Little does she know the fun that lies ahead as we travel more! I must get a little nostalgic for a moment, bare with me. This same park was the first place that BW and BB braved their first rides also. Ironically, LL loved Bumpy Caterpillar best, just like her Ge-ge BW did. I just LOVE when those moments happen! And as small as the place is even the big boys had fun too on the "shake you up and spin you around" type rides. Personally speaking, I seem to be getting a little soft with those spinning rides. I used to be fearless and untouchable. Guess time is catching up with me (or at least my equilibrium, LOL)!


Baba is SO much fun!


Our Lil' Captain


Riding Horses with Mama


Watch Out When These Guys are at the Wheel!


BB, This is Fun!


All Smiles!


Mama and Baba had fun too!


The Bumpy Caterpillar

Just catching up...

It seems that life on the lane for the past two weeks has been moving along so quickly. One day just seems to blend with the next and I can't keep track. This is mostly because PapaBug has been back in the hospital again. Currently, he is in the rehabilitation center receiving physical therapy to hopefully strengthen him enough to come home. I'm concerned about his mental well-being this time though, unlike last time. I'm sure he hows how tough it was and I pray he has the desire to fight back and do what he needs to get stronger. Please pray for him and our whole family. We are all deeply saddeded to see him this way.

On a positive note, school is done for BW and only three more days remain for BB. LL is very happy to have her Ge-ge's home more and it shows in her added energy. Speaking of LL, she is now in daycare just one day a week. It's been three weeks now and she's doing well. Each day she has a little something to report from her adventures there. I'm pleased that she's adapting well as it is likely not too long and it'll be back to work for me. In the fall I am going to be taking some accounting courses at a local college. Between these two things I may just need some help! Wish me luck, it's been a LONG time since I've been in school. But I'm looking forward to it too.

This weekend was the last lacrosse event for BB. This is always bittersweet as we have many nice "lacrosse friends" that we see only this time of year. Overall I'd say he had a very successful season. He's a much better player, did not get seriously hurt, and had ALOT of fun. That's what it's all about.

To unwind and have a little fun we took LL and her "big girl" friend, Clover, to a local park for a lovely dinner picnic and playtime. It was a beautiful night. We laughed alot, played with the ducks and had a yummy dinner. By 9:15 both girls were tired and ready for bed. I can't wait to do it again. Daddybug was a little taken aback as he was outnumbered with three girls and just him. Since LL has come home I'm finding this is true more often than not. The monopoly that the guys used to hold is disappearing. I'm loving it and I know he is too. After all he does have three sisters!

We are eagerly anticipating the Fourth of July and our week trip to the ocean. Not too long after that it'll be time for our special re-union with all the families who traveled to China together to bring our daughters home. There is much to love about summer...

So much fun, so little time...

WHEW! That's all I can say. Normally DB and I have a rather typical flow of life, sometimes wishing we had more fun and less of the mundane. Well not so this past weekend, nosiree! We did not plan these events they we beyond our control so we made the best of it.

On Saturday morning BB had a lacrosse game. We were on the the field at 9:00 til 11:15 when we had to leave to get ready for a wedding. The groom is the son of my former employer. I will never be able to express in words how much this family means to me. They are all just such special, joyful, faith-filled people. We are incredibly blessed to call them dear friends. So it was doubly joyful (or more) to share in their son's wedding day. I'd like to say that LL enjoyed herself too but...she was exhausted as she had no (would not) nap. It was a 1:00 wedding. If you have parented a toddler then you know this is the witching hour with no sleep. She was SO noisy in the church that she and I had to leave and go outside! Good thing DB had the camera because his shots are basically all I saw of the wedding. Trying to keep my patience [and sense of humor] we went on to the reception. Well, didn't she decide to fall sleep on me during dinner. While I was relieved, as she wore herself and me out, I was sad that she missed the meal and the fun times had by all. Overall though, it was a wonderful time with many happy memories we'll treasure forever. Then if that wasn't enough excitement, BW had his first opportunity to produce the sound and lights for a ballet. Yes, we are very proud of him. We could not be there but the report was that all went well and they were pleased with his work. Oh! And did I mention we also had plans to meet with our friends for a 7:00 dinner? And then it was onto hear our son's guitar/drum teacher perform at a local pub. WHEW! Exhausting YES, but fun too. Now if we could just have spread ALL that out over two or three weekends...