Unschoolers Take Over the Water Park

Today the girls and I headed to Breezy Picnic Grounds and Waterslides to meet up with some other unschooling families for a day of fun!  When we left the house it was rather warm and sunny and by the time we arrived (at the aptly named Breezy) it was significantly cooler.  We got settled, said our "hellos" and headed right over to the waterslides.  The girls had not been on waterslides before so they were not sure what to expect.  We quickly made it to the top and Grace decided that she was cool with going on her own so that Em could ride with me.  Em and I headed down first so we could be down there when Grace arrived.  No sooner did we get started on the journey down than did it become apparent that she absolutely adored waterslides!  As soon as we landed in the pool at the bottom she asked to go back up!  Grace arrived in the pool shortly after us, and was as proud of herself for going on her own as we were proud of her.  After the waterslides, we did a little swimming in the lake, had our lunch and visited with our friends.  The only way this day could have been any more fabulous is if it had been a warm, blue sky kinda day.  As we headed to the car Emma decried that: "Waterslides are awesome!" and Grace said:"We need to come back again and bring Daddy with us!"  Agreed!

A big thank you to Debra for letting me use the above picture. I realized on the way home that between all the water fun and chatting hat I didn't take any photos of this most wonderful adventure!  I was so grateful to arrive home and see this great photo posted on our Facebook group (and if you look  closely you'll see Em and I are in this picture too)!  Thanks, Debra!  I really appreciate it! 

Mani-Pedis

Dave's mom came up to visit for a few days last week.  She arrived Wednesday night after the girls were in bed and stayed until Sunday (with Dave's Dad coming up on Saturday to join the fun).  On Thursday after the girls swimming lesson we took them to the nail place at the mall.  I had taken Grace once a couple of years ago and we had not been back since.  Meaning that Em had never been. Grandma Joan was thrilled to get to be part of this first for Em, and we all had a blast getting our nails done on what was a rather grey afternoon.  Just like Grace did two years prior, Em initially sat there intently watching as her nails were clipped, buffed and painted.  We had a fabulous time watching these two little girls with their magazines sit there like all the other ladies at the salon.  It was indeed a wonderful adventure and one that we'll never forget!  

Circus Smirkus

Today, along with Dave's parents, we met up with my parents, Kaitlyn and Eric to take the girls to their first circus!  We thought it would be a fun way to celebrate Mom's birthday, Dave's birthday and Grace's birthday (we would have celebrated my brother's birthday too but he was unable to join our adventure today).  We usually do a big July Birthday Celebration but this year we decided to do something a little different.  Instead of a gathering at our house we went to see Circus Smirkus instead! It was the first time any of us attended this absolutely amazing show.  For those that don't know about Circus Smirkus you can learn more about it here.  For the Reader's Digest version basically Circus Smirkus is a circus camp for kids in Vermont.  There is also a traveling troupe (for kids ages 11-18) who are part of their big top tour each year.  The troupe travels around New England (with a couple of shows in Upstate New York, as well) beginning and ending each tour in Vermont.  

When we first entered we were told that the girls could sit right near the ring (how cool is that?!).  At first they said "no, thanks" and came to sit with us.  After checking out the big top they decided that they wanted to find a spot ringside (hence why the above picture is the only picture of them you'll see until the very end of this blogpost). 

And in my next life I am so going to learn to do this! 

At the end of the show the audience was invited into the ring to meet the performers.  The amount of talent that these kids posses is outstanding!  The girls were so excited to get to go in the ring and asked if we could go find Cleopatra.  We did and she was so sweet to take a picture with them!  

We now have two little girls who are dreaming about going to Circus Smirkus camp (and many of us big kids that want to go too).  They have been chatting all about the circus and how awesome it was and how they want to learn to do so many of the things they saw today (especially flying on the trapeze)!  They have been tossing their beautiful crowns around and catching them while spinning.  There is lots of cirucs play going on!  The whole time we were watching I kept picturing Grace and Emma out there.  I know we'll see them there someday. And I can't wait. I'm looking forward to it already! 

Blueberry Picking

It wouldn't  be summer without a trip to Indian Head Farm for some blueberry picking with these wonderful friends!  $36.00 worth of blueberries picked and with any luck they will carry us through till next blueberry picking season!  

{This Moment}

{This Moment} - A SouleMama Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. We wish you a fun-filled weekend!

Wordless Wednesday: A Day At The Lake