Good Times

Last week Zaven had his first sleep over. Saturday morning he went fishing with a friend, Garrison and his dad, when they came back that afternoon the Sloan's invited him to come back later in the day for a sleep over. We thought it was a good sign that they had had fun enough in the morning that they wanted him to come back. So off he went. I kept my cell phone next to me all night, no calls came and we all met up at church the next morning. All reports were that they had a great time.

Later that week we went to Maryland to see Meg and Carrie and their families. We had a great time visiting, all the kids played well together and the adults did too. Nell loved playing with Carrie's 10 month old, Molly. Esmé enjoyed being held and cooed over by new people and had lots of smiles and good naps.

The whole gang!

Carrie and Esmé

Picnic

Nell afloat

big kids and Dad!

Nell and Molly Michael

Meggie with Zav and Esmé


Yesterday we went to the pool with 3 other families and had a great time, then Zaven had his friend Walker over after and Walker stayed for dinner. On the way to take him home, Zaven and Walker were in the back seat with Esmé and Walker said "her eyes are really pretty" Zaven said, they are very blue aren't they" and Walker said " They are like blueberry eyes"
It was so sweet and cute.

Today we had the "Furniture Medic" come to look at the damages from the move. He said he is worried about the couch.
Soon we are off to have lunch with a parishioner, pray for good behavior!

Esmé also had her two month check up Monday. We went to the new dr and really liked him and the office. Esmé is doing great. She is 11 lbs 5 oz. She is in the 83% for height 60% for weight. She is smiling so much now and starting to enjoy some toys

Still Summer!

Last week the big kids had Vacation Bible school at church, they loved it and Esmé and I had a nice time having the mornings to ourselves. We even went and got coffee with a friend. We went to Aroma's in Merchant Square.
At VBS, we met a new family in town. They have three boys, one of whom will be in 3rd grade at Zaven's school. We invited them to the pool on Monday and had a great time. We have plans to do a scavenger hunt in Colonial Williamsburg with them next week.
We also met the Brewers at the pool this week.

Friday nights we have stayed true to our habits and gone to Plaza Azteca and then Sweet Frog (if everyone behaves as dinner). Last week Nell decided to wear her disguise and go by her undercover name Miss Porkchop. It was pretty funny. All the world is a stage!


We have been trying to get out and take walks after dinner. Sometimes it is me, Nell and Esmé with Zaven and Chris staying home to watch Top Shot on Netflix. But sometimes Zaven comes too, at night they light these hanging baskets with big fires, it is neat.


Nell and Zaven on the Palace Green looking for shapes in the clouds.


Nell saw someone we knew down the way and ran toward them, i love this photo


It's always fun to spend some time in the stocks. I can't help but think of the caption I once saw under a kid in the stocks "For want of a quiet tongue."


Esmé is doing great. She is getting very big,


and smiley


and randomly flashes peace signs- here she is sucking her thumb.


but she is still a good sleeper too! I love when they sleep with their arms up and out like this!


Nell still loves to spend time with Esmé and is getting better about not doing unauthorized maneuvers with the baby.


Zaven loves to hold and lay with Esmé too, but I do not have a recent photo.

Yesterday Nell went to a playdate with a parishioner. A nice lady we met at the pool and goes to the church, she and Nell often play and talk at the pool and she asked if she could invite Nell over. Nell was excited and had a great time. When I got there to pick her up they were having an "orange snack" consisting of cheddar cheese, oranges, and cantaloupe- it was cute. This lady has offered to have Zaven and Nell come over while I go grocery shopping - could be nice. She has grandchildren the same age as Zaven and Nell who live out of town.

Today we are going to go and sign Zaven and Nell up for Fall Soccer. This will be Nell's first time, I hope she will enjoy it.

I am trying hard not to jump ahead to Fall and school and just enjoy the rest of summer- but it is not easy.

Moving onto August

I simply can not believe that it is August. I think I totally missed July.
Although I see in the photos that we had some good times.

Well I packed up the Prius and the three kids and we headed to Tennessee for a visit.

The trip down took 14 hours, that counted us leaving, getting to Richmond and turning around to come home to bring Chris his keys that I had in my bag. We dropped by the church, fed Esmé and then hit the road again. That made for a long day, but Zaven and Nell were great. They took turns taking care of Esmé, who slept mostly.
It was worth the long trip to get to TN and see family.

Tips was there. She is 97 now and the kids loved seeing her. They would pop over to her house and spend some time and then climb up in the balcony and then come back to moms.



One day Esmé and I headed to Atlanta to check up on the loft. It was time well spent, as it turned out that somethings were not as they were supposed to be. I also got to have lunch with Scott and Kelly, we spent about 3 hours together, it was really fun seeing them, Esmé slept the whole time. Then I ran to Lenox and got some lip gloss, then went to Star Provisions and got Hot Curry. I was deeply tempted by Taqueria Del Sol, but headed back to the Mountain instead.

While I was doing all of that Zaven and Nell were treated to a visit with Ella and Grammy. Ella took them to the Discovery Museum and then they all went to the 3d showing of Cars 2.After spending the night in Cleveland they got to swim with Grammy. Then Esme and I came and visited and had dinner and then headed back to Lookout.

Saturday Poppy took Zaven and Nell to Rock City and then Milla and I decided to take Bea and Esmé, while Esmé failed to appreciate it, Bea was very cute walking through saying "that's pretty, that's pretty"


Then Poppy and Zaven and Nell came back and went to the bird show. Sunday we were glad for Brice and Christie back for a visit and swim.


We also went to the Farmer's Market and I ended up having Zaven and Nell's portraits done by a guy there. The jury is out on how they turned out. Here are some in progress photos


Monday we went to the Aquarium and 3d movie with Milla,


Later Zaven and I went to Point Park

Then Tuesday it was time to hit the road.
We got on the road about 7:30, right after a stop at Neidlovs for ginger scones and cinnamon rolls to help us down the road. The trip home seemed quick at just 10.5 hours. We only stopped 3 times and had relatively good humor.
We were glad to get home and see Chris and we were also thrilled to learn that Zaven's last swim meet was rescheduled to Wednesday so he was able to participate.


Isabel came to watch Zaven swim, which was a great treat.

Thursday Zaven had three brothers over for a playdate, their mom stayed and we chatted.
Then a new friend brought us a delicious dinner.
The meal included Birdseye brand SteamFresh Peas, they were great. You should try them.

Friday was super hot and we went to the pool with Chris, the kids love showing Chris all their new tricks when he is there.
Friday night we have taken to going to Plaza Azteca and then on to Sweet Frog. It is becoming a habit for sure.

This week Zaven and Nell have Vacation Bible School, and seem to be loving it. Esmé and I are having a good time together.

In the mornings Zaven and Nell love to come into our bed and spend time with Esmé, here are some pics of the proud siblings.

more about us - well mostly Esmé

We had a great visit with Uncle Brice.

Colonial style sass. Nell has taken to her Colonial dress. She and Zaven got dressed up and then ran around saying "act Colonial"

Daddy and his girls

bird's eye view of Esmé sleeping

Yesterday Isabel came by with Lilly and Splash and the kids went on a walk with them. We had a great visit.

Esmé sleeping again.

Esmé awake, wondering "what are you doing, mom"

Last night Zaven had a great swim meet. It was super hot! But Zaven swam really well, he ended up getting 1st place in freestlye and butterfly and 3rd place in backstroke. We are so proud of his hard work and improvement.

Esmé was totally sacked out and Chris held her while I timed in lane 5.

The arrival of Esmé

As I am sure you know Hripsimé Grace Epperson, to be called Esmé, was born on June 21st at 6:08pm weighing 8lbs 8oz.
She is a total joy and well loved by us all. We have been blessed with friends and family visits since her birth and the summer is off to a great start. i hesitate to say too much about how sweet and easy she is, for fear that i might jinx it. We are getting reasonable amounts of sleep at night and staying busy in the day.
Zaven is on the swimteam so each weekday morning we try to make it practice by 9am. So far 9:10 is the best we have done! But we are getting closer.
Zaven practices from 9-10 and then we usually stay at the pool until around noon. Then come home for lunch and see what the afternoon holds. Sometimes grocery shopping, or the library and sometimes we just stay home and do around. Zaven loves the swim team and has improved so much in the three weeks since joining. He started not wiling to put his face in the water, in his most recent meet he took 15 seconds off of his original 25 meter time! He also swam backstroke and butterfly this week. I am so proud of his hard work and his team spirit. Nell is loving the pool as well. She has made several friends and while Milla was here learned to swim without her floaties. We are thinking a few swim lessons will be good for her. The people from church have been very nice and provided many meals and cards and well wishes. Friends from the pool have helped play with Nell and shuttle Zaven home from meets (they tend to end pretty late).

Here are several photos, i only have dowloaded the ones from my camera, so this is not a complete record - i will see about getting some of Chris' shots added at some point in the not too distant future. These are also not in order as they got jumbled when i uploaded them here.


Out for a stroll through the restoration

With sweet Nell



After a day at the pool with friends, the kids wanted to have a spa, so Milla and I made one, complete with face masks, spa music, massages and Nell opted for the herbal facial. Very fun.

Resting with Daddy

Paci girls

Colonial Williamsburg with Milla

Zaven holding Esmé

The 3 Epperson girls at the pool

Nell and Esmé in their matching outfit.