Vying for an upgrade

Someone appears to be vying for a big girl bed.

Bethany Beach '11

So this summer's trip was leaps and bounds better than last summer's, I think we can all agree.
(Sorry David. Go-to emergency sweater is bound to be pink in this family)

The weather, the spacious rented house, and little immune systems cooperated, creating the basis for a lovely week. Which we had!

We even managed to ensure the rented house would come with a new dishwasher and oven for subsequent renters. Our visit was the straw that broke the appliance camel's back, apparently. Thank us later, incoming groups of college students!

The only shadows over the trip were the cold water and the piles of dead flies on the beach (all of us meditated on Mother Nature's intent here- why would thousands of flies be spawned on the surf only to be instantaneously drowned? Talk amongst yourselves.)

I'm proud, however, to say that I courageously faced down the frigid waters on TWO occasions, joining Jackson, Maria and Anna for their daily fixes of body surfing and bobbing to stave off hypothermia. (I spent the next day walking gingerly with the sensation that my body had been stomped by big foot...will think twice before revisiting my inner kid)

Dave revealed he missed his calling to be a surgeon when Gracie got a splinter lodged in her foot. The saga of its removal ended with screams and cheers. Congrats to Gracie for character growth, and to Dave for a steady hand and remarkable imperviosness to screams!

(our impervious hero/in-house doctor)

Dolphins made an exciting appearance close to the surf on our first night. The perfect welcome!

Julia made great strides in the community pool, wowing us all with her never-before-seen swimming skills. Pretty confident she'll be doing laps before the summer's end. Now if we could just get Frankie to put her head in the water...

David's sweet debut in the pool.

Not dead, just tired from splashing and kicking.

Male bonding.

I think it's safe to say we've found our vacation destination for future summers!

Francesca's fourth birthday

She woke up early to help Lola make the infamous chocolate cake.

Started the day out early with best buds Anna, Gracie and Julia.


Things got crazy fast.






David takes it all in stoically.




It seems like she's been four for a long time, such a mature little girl.
Happy birthday sweet Frankie!

What we've been up to

Frolicking with cousins

Helping David learn to love the pink swing

Deep conversations between sisters

Making cookies as ballerinas (and Snow White)

Picking roses.

We've also begun tapping Five in a Row, ironically since everyone else's school year is about to end. But Frankie seems game, so we've begun charting the geography of the stories we read. We've mapped the U.S., Japan, Italy and the Philippines so far. And we've sat on cushions for tea and cookies like Mako's family in A Pair of Red Clogs. Thanks for the loaner, Hil!

You knew it was coming...

...random pictures of flowers in the garden, that is. Like father like daughter, right Mom?

I have to share my satisfaction over these gorgeous blooms, sorry.

Easter has come to mean hydrangeas from Lola! This one's blue hue is other-worldly.

(sisterly snuggle thrown in there)

Have I ever mentioned how grateful we are for our screened-in back porch? Words are not enough. Teresa was eaten alive yesterday (this early!) when the pool was on the lawn so we got creative with its placement today. Thank you Pop pop and Grandmommy for a huge gift that keeps on giving.

Sitting up

With friends.

Happy Easter!