Mister

Mister is a great dog

Go Dolphins!

A great swim season has come to an end! It was really fun being co, co, co president with Rebecca and Meghan. We made a good team and have committed to doing it again next year. 

We had the banquet on Saturday night. We did a big spaghetti dinner. Meghan is great at cooking for a crowd and when we got there to decorate she was basically all done! 

As trophies this year we gave goggles with their names and an accolade from the coaches. I think they were well received. 

Esmé was most fashionable - she has so many swim suits!! 

Nell was Mini mom- always the best big sister! 

Zaven was Heart of the team

Though he thought the coaches said " part of the team" hahaha 

Nell also got a coaches award the Dolphin award. It is an award that has typically been for the highest scoring girl, but the coaches wanted to give it to Nell to acknowledge her hard work and willingness to swim up in the 13-14 age group at the age of 9!

A great season for all! 

Come Sail Away!

Zaven had a wonderful adventure on his sailing trip with Poppy, Chas and Berkeley!

It started with a really early wake up call and drive to Norfolk. Zav had a 5:50 flight to BWI where he waited and then met up with Poppy, Chas and Berkeley. From there they flew up to Portland Maine. Rented a car, drove to Camden. 

They stopped along the way for a lobster roll!

Poppy gave them great llooking fleeces with "Poppy and the crew" embroidered on them- so cute. 

They spent the night on the boat in harbor- 

Then set sail the boys were able to help with the sails and all sorts of things.

 It sounded like they had amazing food at every turn, including "lunch dessert" which you know Zaven loved. 

There was a lobster bake on an island with S'mores - swimming, paddleboards , jumping off the boat. 

They saw lighthouses, toured little towns and saw beautiful coastline and sunsets. 

They then flew back home from Portland. That Asher's the 2nd part of the adventure unfolded. I guess there were afternoon thunderstorms and the flights started getting delayed and then Zav's flight got cancelled. It was Sunday at 5:30 and the next flight was Tuesday at 5:30 am! As luck would have it, I had a back up plan on place. I texted Hilary and James Stern who were due in Maine   They had just landed in Boston. Hilary from Richmond with the boys and James from Singapore- a 30 hour flight. They were amazing and rented a car and went and rescued Zaven from the airport. 

(Word has it they had hoped to sleep in Boston and drove to maine the next day- but they were amazing and gracious and totally saved us!). They sent pictures and everything. They then went on to incorporate him into their family vacation for the next day. 

He swam and climbed rocky coastline and went into the forest looking for mushrooms. 

I am honestly not sure how you ever repay a family for taking a potentially disastrous situation and making it a part 2 adventure in Maine! 

More summer fun

We keep having great times. 

Nell, Esmé and Kate had a spa on the front porch. 

We had a fun girls night and celebrated Crisse's birthday and a yummy dinner at LE Yaca- I always intend to get a picture of us all together and then forget. A sure sign of my age!

Then we had a great weekend at the River with Isabel. She is a wonderful hostess and we had a great time. It was a really hot weekend so it was great to be by and in the water. We took Mr. And he had a great time- there were several big labs outside to play with and splash and Lilly inside- he loved every minute. Isabel's nephew John and his Wife Anne were there with two of their kids and Zaven had a good time hanging out with them. They swam and played cards

 etc I took this picture of Emse and Chris be jade they looked alike to me. 

The kids had a great time fishing

Summertime

A great summer weekend. Nell and Esmé spent Friday night at the Mason's. Zav, Chris and I stayed home. Then met up with Patty and Kevin and had some Ice cream. Then Zaven and I played soccer in the back yard- while using English accents- it was a fun and silly time. Zaven is getting to be so grown up it was fun to have some playtime with him. 

Then Saturday we had a nice long play date with. Hawley and Taylor Anne. We ran some errand and then had a great time at the pool. 

Sunday we had a nice morning at church

And had some playtime in the backyard with Mister

And down at Matthew Whaley

Then Monday we had a very hot swim meet. Everyone swam great Esmé swam freestyle and backstroke again and loved it. 

Then Mia slept over. We went to Baskin for some ice cream 

Two scoops! 

Lots of fun times! 

Swimming and haircuts

A couple of big things this week. 

Esmé swam freestyle 

and back stroke 

in the meet on Monday. She did a great job. Her freestyle she was very deliberate with her strokes but had very good form and swam with her face in the water. Her backstroke was awesome. First time racing in that stoke. Almost got 2nd. And had the biggest smile on her face the whole way down the pool. Nell was a great cheer leader and was walking along the edge of the pool cheering the whole time. She said after the meet "people knew I love that kid. They could tell the way I was cheering!" She was a very proud sister. It was sweet. 

Then later in the week Nell wanted to get her haircut again so I called Claudia and she stayed late to fit her in the results were great and Nell really likes it! 

Zav was scheduled to play in a tennis tournament tomorrow but no one else signed up:( so it was cancelled.

He has been having fun playing Pokemon go  and hanging with friends at the pool and Busch Gardens. He tells me the lifeguard at the pool is teaching him to do a gainer! Oh the memories!

 This morning Meghan had her 100th Pure Barre class! It was a fun celebration and we got to listen to the 80s playlist. 

Very fun!

Hot!

The weather has heated up this week. In the 90s everyday with heat index up to 100.  Zaven was off to soccer camp at UNC. He forgot his pillow and met a two time super bowl winner so far. So hoping he will have a great time. 

Nell is thinking she wants to go to sleep away camp. Because we can really only find a 12 day Chanco session so we are now regrouping and thinking a day camp here in town might be better. 

Esmé had a first this week, she jumped off the diving board! Nell has been eager for her to try and she did and loved it! So that is a fun new thing. I am sure we will spend some time at the pool tomorrow to beat the heat! 

Today the Mason's nanny and Grey teamed up and took the girls to the Historic Area. They stopped in the brick yard mud and then went to the museum.