I forgot that when I upload photos to blogger - I have to upload them in reverse - so we'll start with our most recent activities and go backwards!!! And as our summer as been busy and I've been exhausted by night time --- comments will be brief!
Last week-end we took an awesome 3 day trip to the White Mountain area. I don't have the pictures of our hike to the 65 foot water falls or our ride up the mountain in the gondola uploaded yet since they're on Craig's camera, but I'll post those later.
Part of our trip included a Saturday morning with all things Thomas the Train! Liam loved it!
They had a hay maze that Kyra was fascinated by. Also an Imagination Station with Thomas the train tables that Liam played at and crafts, tatoos and facepainting for Kyra.
They both LOVED their first train ride. (Kyra had gone on one at 3, but didn't remember it)
And the best part was that our train was pulled by none other than Thomas the Tank Engine!
Another day of our trip was spent at StoryLand, a small, but delightful amusement park for young kids. Kyra, the Princess, and Liam, the Dragon had a ball! Liam is getting ready to blow fire here!
Rides galore! Liam and Kyra's favorite was the Polar Coaster - a roller coaster for younger kids. Their second favorite was a raft ride where we all got soaked. It felt great since it was 90 degrees that day! Almost unheard of that far north!
July 4th, we enjoyed our annual festival on the Amherst green and the Amherst parade. It doesn't get anymore New England than celebrating July 4th in the quaint little village of Amherst.
After 4 or so months of piano lessons, and the purchase of a beautiful new piano - Kyra decided that what she really loves is the harp. So harp lessons began. Fortunately, you can rent a harp, so if she sticks with it until fall we will look into that. Meanwhile, we go to the music school for practice.
A week after her harp lessons started, our beautiful Charles Walter piano, hand made in the US, was delivered. It's beautiful in our living room and I start lessons in the fall. Meanwhile Kyra continues to play the songs she learned and I'm teaching myself some of them, too.
Craig had his first Father's Day as Liam's dad. It was a wonderful day although Craig was more than surprised at his unusual gift. Rock Band for the Wii. The kids love it - Kyra bangs the drums, Liam plays the guitar and mommy wails "Hungry Like A Wolf" in perfect key! Dad mostly laughs - but I heard him wailing to some songs with the kids when he thought I wasn't listening!
We raised butterflies from larvae and it was an educational experience and a great lesson in life. We learned that some butterflies are ready to fly away quickly, some are slower and need to hang around and practice short flying trips before they fly away and one of ours was born severely handicapped - 1/2 of a wing, 1 leg, 1 antennae - very sad. We helped her get out of her chrysalis and hand fed her sugar water and oranges, but she died after 4 days. The kids really loved the whole experience though.
And our big beginning of summer was Kyra's kindergarten graduation. Yes, my baby girl graduated from kindergarten. Hard to believe.
So far it's been a busy and happy summer. Tomorrow we leave for a week in WV for my family's 3 day family reunion. It should be a blast! Kyra and Liam will be meeting family they've never laid eyes on before. It will be a reunion to remember I'm sure!
A week after her harp lessons started, our beautiful Charles Walter piano, hand made in the US, was delivered. It's beautiful in our living room and I start lessons in the fall. Meanwhile Kyra continues to play the songs she learned and I'm teaching myself some of them, too.
Craig had his first Father's Day as Liam's dad. It was a wonderful day although Craig was more than surprised at his unusual gift. Rock Band for the Wii. The kids love it - Kyra bangs the drums, Liam plays the guitar and mommy wails "Hungry Like A Wolf" in perfect key! Dad mostly laughs - but I heard him wailing to some songs with the kids when he thought I wasn't listening! 
We raised butterflies from larvae and it was an educational experience and a great lesson in life. We learned that some butterflies are ready to fly away quickly, some are slower and need to hang around and practice short flying trips before they fly away and one of ours was born severely handicapped - 1/2 of a wing, 1 leg, 1 antennae - very sad. We helped her get out of her chrysalis and hand fed her sugar water and oranges, but she died after 4 days. The kids really loved the whole experience though.
And our big beginning of summer was Kyra's kindergarten graduation. Yes, my baby girl graduated from kindergarten. Hard to believe. 
So far it's been a busy and happy summer. Tomorrow we leave for a week in WV for my family's 3 day family reunion. It should be a blast! Kyra and Liam will be meeting family they've never laid eyes on before. It will be a reunion to remember I'm sure!