Turning 6, part 2

Emily's sweet friend Mallory turned 6 the same week she did, so we took them and their sisters to celebrate by getting their hair and nails done.  And then, to the pool!  :)

I think they were happy to be back!

Other June fun

My head is spinning at the idea that June is already over.  Slow down summer!!

 playing in Emily's birthday tent

 helping Mommy send a newsletter

more fun at the farm:

First day at the pool!!

 Chilly, but happy.

and according to tradition...

 Alden was fussing in the cart and wanted to be held, so I asked him to snuggle Adara.  They went through a good part of the shopping trip like this. :)

Back at the Montshire after a long hiatus -- look who's old enough to enjoy it now!

Girls Adventure

Uncle Alden & Aunt Taylor came to visit us last weekend and we had a lovely laid back weekend, lots of eating and talking and reading books/playing with children.  Alasdair cooked us all a yummy breakfast on Father's Day (when we should have been cooking for him!) because he is wonderful.

Then, brave Alden & Taylor took the girls with them back to Glendside, so they could spend a few days with Granny.

As far as I can tell, the girls had nonstop fun for 3 days.  They came home tired but happy.

 

 Smith playground!

Six

Our sweet, sensitive, smart, silly, beautiful, inquisitive oldest baby girl is six years old today.  I am so proud of how much she's learned and grown this year.  She has loved kindergarten, soaking up the learning (she's been excited about learning to read, but she especially loves math), delights in art class, has been so brave in facing her fears in PE, and loves her teacher and friends.  And as she told me a few months ago when she started riding the bus home from school and didn't want me to meet her at the bus stop, "Mom, I'm almost a first grader now!"  She is the best big sister, so good at looking out for the younger two, and of course making sure they are following rules and staying safe. ;)  She's shy and introverted but at the same time so relational, very attached and affectionate to her family and close friends.  She is at her happiest playing outside, catching frogs, exploring in the woods, swinging, and playing make believe games.

I've been asking her some birthday questions throughout the day, let's see if I can remember them...

Who's your best friend: Mallory and Rosalie
What's your favorite thing to do with Mallory: play
What's your favorite thing to do with Rosalie: play spy
What's your favorite thing to do with Mommy: go on a date and go to the pet store
What's your favorite thing to do with Daddy: read books
What's your favorite thing to do with Adara: play campout
What's your favorite thing to do with Alden: pop goes the weasel
What's your favorite classical music: Spring (Who's that by: Vivaldi)*
What's your favorite thing about school: art class!
What's your favorite food: I don't have one
What's your favorite book: Laura & Mary (the Little House books)
What's something you're proud of from this year: Skiing
What do you want to be when you grow up: an art teacher
What's your favorite color: Don't have one.  I just don't like black or grey.  I'm even okay with brown.
What's your favorite animal: chicks!  and cats and kittens
She wanted me to ask what her favorite thing to "go and out do" is: gymnastics and skiing.  I like them equally.

*Alasdair plays a lot of classical music, and the girls are starting to identify some of it (they've already surpassed me).  The other day Emily walked in when he was playing some Bach cello piece and Emily said, "It's Spring!  Oh..no... it's too thick"  He was pretty impressed at her accuracy in distinguishing the cello from the violin.  We think she's brilliant, of course.

On Friday she brought treats in to school (strawberries & grapes, since they can't bring baked goods due to allergies) and she & Mallory stood up for the birthday song at "Morning Sing" with all the other kids who have birthdays this week.

Today we celebrated with a little family breakfast birthday -- Aunt Becky, Uncle Brian & Nicolas had spent the night last night, and Emily had candles in her pancakes and opened some gifts.  By far her biggest reaction was to the pack of gum.  She was so happy to be told Happy Birthday by friends at church, and to inform anyone who didn't know. :)  This afternoon we played in the river by Mink Brook, and she was delighted to facetime and read text messages from various family members, and even get a quick visit from Mimi.  At the end of the day she said, "I didn't even know today would be so much fun!  This was one of my best days."

 Entertaining Nico with her new wind chimes

Sunrise Farm

This year we are finally trying out a CSA, and splitting a share at a local farm with friends.  It's only been a few weeks, but so far I absolutely love it.  The farm is set on the side of a hill and is just picture perfect.  We love our weekly trips to pick up our veggies.  Emily spends most of her time visiting the chicks, and Adara and Alden love the high swings up the hill from the barn.  One week the kids walked way out in the fields to find the sheep, and they have yet to discover the pond with frogs. Besides the fun of farm visits, the fresh greens are SO good; I'm sad every week when they're gone.

Ethan helping Alden check out the baby chicks.

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Adara & Lucy swinging

 The kids ventured way out past where you can see in this picture.

Mallory & Emily walked all the way back holding hands.

TMO Graduation

{Nathan, Adara, Charlotte, Ryan, Aubrey, Jake, Rocco, Heidi}

Adara had a good year at Toddler's Morning Out, but she is glad to be done with school for the summer.  On the last day, they did a little graduation ceremony, complete with cardboard hats, diplomas and pomp & circumstance.  

 All dressed up for the last day.

 with Miss Roz

 with Miss Sarah

 Our last Nathan's Garden picnic of the year!