Who Let the Dog Out?

Syd and E have a new favorite past time: walking the neighbor's dog. The Bridges across the road have an adorable miniature Doxie named Mocha. When Melissa had surgery a few weeks ago, Syd and E were jumping up and down to volunteer to be the dog walkers. It really was cute to see them take turns holding the leash and try to keep up with her once she caught the scent of a squirrel. But I had to set some limits when they woke me up at 5 am one morning to ask, "When can we walk Mocha?" It was then that I (kindly, I'm sure) set the rule that we would only walk Mocha in the evening--after dinner. Let me tell you, they look forward to this duty all day long.

All-Star Baseball

Logan was selected to play for the DLL National All-Stars team. He played catcher, 3rd base and outfield. The team showed great improvement over the course of a few weeks. They started out with a "mercy rule" loss where the other team was 10 runs ahead, so the umpire called the game. They went on to win the next 4 games....one game they "mercy ruled" another team....and then they lost their 5th game in the district championship game.

It was a great series and the kids played tough. We thought the coaches and managers were excellent at letting each player contribute their strengths. Logan played tough and enjoyed his all-star experience.

The Mystery of the Paw Print Boxes

We did have a big of intrigue surrounding Syd's birthday. It all started when 6 large boxes with a puppy paw print arrived on the doorstep.

The kids piled them in the den and wondered and imagined what was in the boxes and who could have sent them. Ethan was convinced a real dog was inside. Syd was convinced the good "birthday" fairy had mailed her lots of wonderful toys and Mikelle and Logan were just dying to open those boxes.

Being the calm, patient soul that I am, I explained that they were obviously for Syd's birthday and it wasn't fair to open them early and so we all just needed to wait for her big day. I thought that Mona or Uncle Tom must have sent them.

Fast forward 2 days to her birthday. The anticipation has been building and she can hardly stand it a moment longer! She opens the first box.......and.........a decorative pillow falls out!

Oh no! I say. I am so sorry, Syd! Those are the pillows I ordered for the new outdoor rocking chairs. I am so sorry!

Poor Syd! She was so disappointed and I still can't figure out why my pillows came packaged that way. Just a crazy coincidence!

Syd's 8th Birthday

Sydney turned 8 on July 5 and we had a nice family lunch, opened gifts and went to see "Despicable Me: 2." During lunch, we took turns saying what we love about Syd!

Mom: Syd is very consistent. She has loved doggies for many years and hasn't changed from turtles to gerbils to bunnies. Oh no! She's loved doggies for so long...we're wondering when does a "love" turn into an "obsession"?

Dad: I love Syd's laugh! Especially when we read "Junie B. Jones" or "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" books together.

Mikelle: Syd is very outgoing and friendly and can make a new friend anywhere we go.

Ethan: I like to play legos with Syd.

Logan: Syd is easy to get along with and fun.

What's More American?

Celebrated the 3rd and 4th of July with a few, favorite American past times:

Swimming...

                                                                   baseball....

                                                             
                                                                  ...and fire works!

Syd's Build-A-Bear Party

Syd invited 3 friends to celebrate an early birthday with her at Build-A-Bear. Brooke, Liv and Erin. They each chose an adorable animal; chose it's heart and characteristics; stuffed it; bathed it and then chose clothes and accessories. It was no surprise that Syd chose a doggy...a very cute pug to be exact. Ethan chose "Sully" from the movie "Monsters University".

Spring Happenings

What can I say? April...May....June...they've come and gone. Looking back it was basically a blur, but here are a few highlights:

See Mikelle perform as an Oompa-Loompa in Willie Wonka. (She's the one in the green wig:)

See Ethan play t-ball.

See Sydney play softball.

See Logan play baseball.

See Stacie drive Ethan and Sydney and Logan to their practices and games.

See Grandma and Grandpa T. visit us and enjoy Ethan's art show at preschool.

See Ethan celebrate his 5th BD with his family and friends.

See Stacie enjoy a wonderful Mother's Day.

See Ethan graduate from Celebration preschool.

See the Kotters and the Candlands attend the Marine Band's Memorial Day Concert at Wolf Trapp.

See Mikelle sing in her Spring concerts and graduate from 8th grade.

See Logan celebrate 5th grade graduation and bid Hillside and his dedicated teachers good-bye.

See Dan and Stacie have a nice get-away to San Diego.

See Heidi and Audrey visit and all of the cousins love on Audrey!

See the Kotters water-ski, jet-ski and tube at the River House with the Fords.

See Dan travel to the Ukraine, India and Argentina. See Dan suffer from jet lag and intestinal disruption. ( I decided we didn't really need any photos of this!)