Camping

We recently went camping, and Bonnie's new friend from school and her family joined us. It was so fun! All the kids play so well together and it's been really nice to have some friends in our actual neighborhood that we can hang out with together.

We tried to get a spot at Chickahominy Riverfront Park, but all the camping spots were booked so we decided to try out Cheatham Annex on the navy base. It was a very different set up but worked great. There was a playground right in front of us, so that was a bonus.

The kids were poking their fingers in this hole in a tree and pretending there was an animal living inside. Little did they know, a little squirrel slowly started poking it's head out and seemed very interested in them. They couldn't believe it.

After we ate dinner, we took a walk to the pier for some night fishing.

Then it was time to come back to the campfire to make some s'mores.

Bonnie and her friend Avery happened to have matching unicorn camp chairs. 

Our setup for the night. Once we got the kids to bed, the adults stayed up much too late talking by the campfire. I didn't realize it at the time but I was completely covered in bug bites the next day. 

The next morning we played for a bit then started packing up. It was a fun last-minute adventure! And I think most of the kids will remember it.

Benny's birthday

Benny turned 43 a couple weeks ago and we love a good excuse to celebrate him! As always, there were decorations, cards, and cake. He decided he wanted to do a little hike with us in the morning, go to the outlet mall to actually try on and get some clothes that he needed, and have Chinese food for dinner and ice cream cake to top it off. We did it all, and it was a good day!

The kids saw this giant pink duck at the outlet mall and thought it was the greatest thing. Bonnie couldn't stop hugging it, thinking it was a giant live stuffed animal. Until she looked into it's eyes (in which you could see clear through to the lady inside), and was visibly disturbed. Riser continued to want to go say 'Hi' to the duck and give it hugs - Bonnie wanted nothing to do with it at that point.

The kids and I splurged on some kettle corn while Eric tried on shoes.

I get luckier every year to be living life with this guy. He is such an amazing husband, dad, and human and we are just so thankful for him!

Kids' artwork

Now that a new school year is upon us, I need to take all the kids' artwork down from their doors. If you remember, we already did this once for Bonnie because she creates so much so fast. We have to be selective of what makes it on the door. 

Our family in the form of bunnies.

A princess and her castle.

Playing on the playground in the rain.

Stick family

Riser creates much less artwork, so this is the highlights of everything he did over the last year.

Thankful turkey. I believe his teacher heard 'Barbie' when he was trying to say 'Bobby' (Bonnie).

One of his first water colors - always has to take it to the extreme. Kept going until he put a hole in his picture.

I'm a sucker for anything with handprints.

His good Samaritan. 

I will be interested to see if Bonnie creates quite as much as she did last year now that she doesn't have all of her free time during quiet time anymore. Stay tuned!