Swimming Fun

Allie down at Toni's - she just wanted to run back and forth between the baby pool and the big "lake".
Sarah lounging in the MC lake
Daddy's first time at the lake - check out the expression on Allie and Dad - they are exactly the same!
Check out that expression! Girlfriend's got a few that can work a room!
Sometimes I can't get over how much she looks like Louie! I wish I could put every pic up on here so you all could see it too. Unbelievable. I hope she has his taste in clothes! Man, he always looked good! I used to tell him he had to take Sarah shopping for prom.

Anyway, these are some swimming pictures (duh). There aren't as many of Sarah - she was ALL OVER the place. You can't take a picture of a blur. Allie was trying so hard to chase after her. She kept yelling "Sarah! Sarah! Come over here! Please! COME ON!". So funny. Allie'd follow Sarah to the ends of the earth - she darn near followed her to the deep end!

Oppression and The Lake

Allie looking north up the beach, taking a picture of the western ridge
Sarah and Allie going in, facing west south west
Allie running into the lake ... right before she fell
Allie and Sarah going in opposite directions
The view east at the lake

Today is GROSS. Even the dog can't stand herself. As a general rule, I'm ok with Pennsylvania's oppressive heat and humidity. I grew up without air conditioning - I'm used to this. Honest. I think what has made the difference is that you can't keep your cool while chasing after kids (that's meant in every way it applies). Maybe it's just that three days ago it was 72 degrees and I was wearing jeans and a long sleeved shirt, and now I feel the need to go beyond naked. Whatever it is, today sucks and tomorow's gonna suck too. Then Monday is predicted to be the pinnacle of Suckfest. It was so hot upstairs in our house that the bag of Nestle chocolate chips I had on the counter was LIQUID. THAT'S SOME KIND OF HOT. Ugh. I am so glad we can go to the lake.

The lake is about a 10-15 minutes drive from the house and worth every minute. We went for the first time today, and it was really, really nice! We only went for an hour and a half - that's about as long as I could take wtih without feeling realy bad for Lilly. Later on - maybe tomorrow morning - I'm thinking about taking the kids and the dog to the river to play around. That's right in our back yard! I know Lilly desperately wants to go get wet and be a dog, but until we have a fence for her to dry off in - blech. I don't know about that.

Look out, everyone ...

... we've created a monster!

Achoo update

To update on my earlier rantings ...

I went to an allergist today. While not fun in terms of comfort, it was far less invasive than I expected. After getting stuck a total of 68 times with needles for two hours, my doctor's conclusion was ...

Inconclusive. Yay.

He did confirm with absolute certainty that I have a big time allergy to dust (which I already knew). But he isn't buying that I didn't react to other naturally occouring allergens. So it's off to the hospital for more bloodwork to investigate further. My next appointment is the beginning of July - I'll update again then!

I'm just really glad Lilly wasn't the biggest culprit!

Sarah, Allie and Grandmom

The Bike

Yes, we did. Or rather, he did. And I know what you're thinking ... and yes, they are. HOWEVER, they are also a most economical option when you travel to work as much as he does. Literally, that thing will save us almost $400 per month in gas. Sarah got a taste of the wind in her hair as she rode with Ron - she loved it! I think she's a closeted adrenaline junkie - she couldn't get enough!!! I hope so 'cause she's been a chicken too long. Guess I better get my manual out and start studying so I can be licensed to drive too! The plan is to get Sarah a dirt bike or a ATV then I get the one with the cart for me and Allie. HA HA HA!!

Friends

Sarah's very best friend from Ridley came up to spend memorial Day weekend with us. That Monday, her whole family came up to spend the day. It's one of those really great friendships all around - her mom is a dear friend of mine, her dad is a great friends with Ron, then ti's she and Sarah, and her little sister is about 6 months younger than Allie, and when she walked in the door Allie grabbed her hand and said "Come baby, come. We go play, ok?". And off they went.
And of course Lilly was included too, but this was by far the cutest pic of Lilly and a kid!

Here they are - these two are going to be friends for absolutely ever. This is it - they will have many, many other friends, some of them great, maybe a couple "bests". But truly - she's Sarah's one and only. Forever.

The crew in the sand/water table. The best invention for outdoor fun!