Summer Fun

Now that we finally have some hot weather, the girls decided to try out the swimming pool Mira got for her first birthday.  They came over to our house to set it up (no privacy at their apartment and probably against the rules anyway).  


I was reading in my bedroom and heard a commotion in the living room.  I came out to find that I now had an indoor swimming pool:

The girls had a great time playing in it (we decided it would be a great way to keep Mira out of trouble), but our living room just isn't big enough for an indoor swimming pool, so out it went. 

They didn't put a whole lot of water in it, since Mira is only a year old, but the girls had a blast playing in it.  Mira laughed and laughed, and didn't even seem to mind that the water was ice-cold at first (Melissa was bringing buckets of warm water from the sink in the garage, but the girls didn't want to wait for warmer water).  

Danica tried to practice her swimming skills (she took swimming classes earlier this year), but there just wasn't enough water.  She enjoyed splashing, though.

I was invited to join the pool party, but said no thanks (seeing myself in a swimming suit is depressing, and my white skin would have blinded everyone). 

Here's a short video.  My favorite part is the look of surprise on Mira's face as her feet slip out from under her.  It happened numerous times, but she always just jumped up again, laughing!

Another popular summer activity is bike riding.  Danica is very proud of herself (and deservedly so!) now that she has learned to ride her bike without training wheels.  

Danica really wanted to go for a bike ride with Grandpa, so they decided to go "around the block" (our neighborhood doesn't really have "blocks" but it's a close equivalent).  

Here they are getting ready to go....  No, Mira is not going to ride her "bike" -- she'll be in the bike trailer, but don't they look cute in their bike helmets?

Melissa went along to monitor Danica's progress.  (It was kind of a big "production" for such a short bike ride!)

 Before.....

 ....and After.

She didn't last too long before conking out!

Mostly "The Girls"

Last Saturday, Clay and I decided to hike to the summit of Mount Pisgah, and Melissa and Danica wanted to come along.  We used to bring our kids here all the time when they were young, but we always just walked around the lower trails.  I have never hiked to the very top, although everyone else in the family has.  I was determined to do it this time, but.....

.....It was too hot and sunny, and most of the path to the summit is out of the trees, and I just couldn't bring myself to attempt it.  Maybe next time.  So we decided just to hike around the lower trails, which are mostly in the shade.  Aren't Melissa and Danica cute in their "matchy-matchy" outfits and hairstyles.

Clay is the designated "pack-horse" -- he doesn't mind carrying a backpack with all our essentials.

There are a lot of benches along the trails.  I am in favor of lots of resting places.

The Mount Pisgah Arboretum is next to the Coast Fork of the Willamette River.  The girls are looking for the perfect rocks to try skipping them.

I'm not sure Danica understands the concept of "skipping" stones -- it was more of a big "ker-plunk"!

Melissa even caught a fish (I added the arrow to help you see it--you'll need to click on the picture to enlarge it).  Danica wanted to catch one to take home, but we talked her out of it....this time.

Here is Danica's fake pouting face, which looks remarkably similar to her real pouting face.

Danica picked up a hitch-hiker early in our walk.  She is very fond of these "roly-poly" bugs.  This one was named "Suzette".  Danica really wanted to bring it home with her, but we convinced her that Suzette couldn't leave her family, so she was deposited in a nice shady area at the entrance to the park as we left.

Later that afternoon, the girls showed me their "mad skillz" on their scooters.

This is just a picture of some pretty flowers near Melissa's apartment (I was waiting for the scooter-riders to return from checking the mailbox).

On July 4th, Melissa and the girls came over for barbecued steak (while Rob took a nap at home).  They were dressed very patriotically for the holiday, and wanted their pictures taken.

Clay and I were both taking pictures at the same time, so there was some competition for their attention.  I got the baby this time, while Clay got the attention of the other two.

Mira had enough of the picture-taking, but the other two stuck it out a little longer.

Clay took some pictures of the girls playing in the backyard.

We cannot convince Danica that we didn't plant any edible-pod peas this year (as we always have in the past).  So she just chews on the regular ones anyway.

Isn't Mira as cute as a bug's ear? *

*Where did that expression come from anyway?  I've never even seen a bug's ear!