Summer Camp

 I usually never do summer camp things for the kids. I just want summer to be free and more open for time. But this year I tried it out and the kids have done a few things! 

First up, Rose did a musical theater week long camp at The Ruth. It was just every morning and at the end of the week they put on a little play. Cousin Annika also did it! They did Mary Poppins and Rose got the part of Mary Poppins and Annika got Jane! It was funny and cute to watch and they had a great week.

And then a couple weeks later, June also did a week long musical theater camp at The Ruth, only her program went all day each day. They also put on a fun performance at the end of the week of a medley of songs. June got a solo in the Moana song, which was the part she was hoping for. She did great! 

Hazel also did a week Irish dance boot camp and got to do a performance at the end of the three day camp. She did great! She had a great time too and likes hard shoe a bit more now as well! 

Hazel also did a Feis! (Irish dance competition) She hasn't done one in a couple years and had a rough year with her favorite studio closing as the owner and teacher moved across country. But once we found Harp this year it's been so much better and she's happy again and was ready to jump back in. She did great and we are so proud of her for continuing on! (even if she didn't want me taking any photos...) 

Johnny has been doing baseball this summer too! And he's actually really liking it and gets a hit most every time he's up to bat! It's been really fun to watch. 

Reptile House

 A fun outing this past week! I took the kids to this fun reptile house. You get to hold all sorts of snakes and lizards and pet tortoises and turtles and even got to hold some crazy bugs! The workers go around and help you and teach you and answer questions. They even did a couple animal feedings and a snap turtle presentation. We had a great time! (a little too great of a time.... that maybe quickly lead to a new pet...) 

Hike- Willow Lake & Hammocks

 Got another hike in! This time to one I've done with the kids and Buck and a few summers ago but I've heard it was a good hike to go bring a hammock to, so that's what we did! It was beautiful and the wild flowers were great but hard to capture! We hammock-ed in an area by the small lake/pond that we could tell the beavers had been in. There were many tree stumps that had been chomped away at. So cute! that is until Christine's tree she was attached to on one end suddenly broke in half and timbered right on top of her as she lay in her hammock! She wasn't hurt and so I got to laugh a lot about it. We discovered all too late that that tree had indeed been gnawed at and was barely connected at the base. Lesson learned. Always check the tree you attach your hammock to. 😅

We also lucked out big time and got the one day of the week with clear skies from the smoke from all the wild fires!