Swimming, Swimming, Swimming

As usual, our summer is consumed with swimming and swim team.  This year, Spencer sprained his foot at the neighbor's house right before swim season began.  I was so relieved when the x-ray came back negative for a fracture but because of damaged tendons and ligaments, the orthopedist elected to put him in a cast for four weeks.  He got a waterproof cast but it didn't last long at the pool.  We had to have it replaced after 2 1/2 weeks.  Spencer was able to swim really well with his cast on but he still wasn't allowed to participate on swim team until the cast came off.  Now both Rachel and Spencer are practicing Monday through Friday with meets twice a week.  It's a fun way to spend the summer and it's great exercise.

Here's some pictures taken (mostly by the kids) at our first meet of the season:

Rachel and her friends arrive at the meet

Cast boy (with his 2nd cast)

Proud Mama!

Beautiful Courtney's ready to cheer Rachel on!

Rachel, warmed up and ready to race!

Caitlin and Spencer

Independence Day Weekend

The 4th of July landed on a Sunday this year which was kind of a bummer for our kids because a couple of our traditions of going to our neighborhood parade/party and the pool party were off the docket this year.  We did take them to watch the fireworks in Bethlehem.  We sat right on the street because Paul couldn't walk to our normal spot.  Our car is actually right behind our chairs so he didn't have to walk anywhere.  It ended up being a perfect location to see the fireworks lighting up the sky!  They were especially good this year so we oohed and ahhed the night away! 

I think Rachel looks like a model in this picture.  I couldn't figure out what was going on with her multi-colored outfit for church on Sunday morning until she reminded me it was the fourth of July and she was donning red, white and blue to show her patriotism. 

All the kids are anxiously awaiting the first boom from the sky.  It took a while! 

The next day was a holiday for us so we went to our ward party.  It was sooooooooo hot.  You can tell by looking at the kids.  But they still had fun playing with their friends, and participating in the activities.  We also went to the pool to cool off later that day.

The Completion of Concertpalooza

My friend, Sara, aptly named the end of the school year and all its accompanying concerts, recitals, performances and ceremonies "Concertpalooza."  For Rachel, May and June have been chock full of events.  With District Orchestra, the school orchestra concert, her choir concert, being inducted into the Jr. National Honors Society, her school musical and her piano recital, it was a busy few weeks.  Add on to that playing basketball, daily play rehearsal, participating in young women, practicing the piano and violin and doing her schoolwork--well, let's just say it's good she survived. 

At the chorus concert, Rachel had a solo singing part and also had to read about a song they were singing.  She did a terrific job, as always!

Rachel reads the story behind a beautiful song about the Holocaust.

Singing with the 6th Grade Chorus

Performing at her piano recital

Cell Phone Stuff

For some reason, I often find myself places without my camera where I should have it.  Here are a few examples from the last month or so: 

Caitlin and Courtney (center bottom row) at their preschool BounceU party

Caitlin and Courtney with their preschool pals

Caitlin loved the Big slides at Bounce U

Courtney enjoying Bounce U

Rachel (center in blue shirt) with her friends who were honored at the Junior National Honor Society

Rachel performing in the district orchestra concert (she was one of 3 violinists selected to represent her school)  I was on the balcony--thus the lovely picture quality.

Spencer (holding the bat on the left) with his baseball team, The Mets.  He couldn't play the last three games because of the cast on his leg but he went to the last game and coach let him hit and had someone run for him.  We thought that was awesome!

Rachel's Spring Orchestra Concert

One of the best dates ever!

Paul and I headed into New York City to visit the Manhattan Temple.  We stopped in the sandwich/salad shop next door for dinner and then attended a session.  It was a wonderful experience.  What a peaceful place right in the middle of the city that doesn't sleep!  You can't hear any of the honking or traffic noises inside despite the cacaphony once you walk out the doors. 

On a whim, we walked across the street to Lincoln Center on Broadway to see if they had tickets to South Pacific.  They did and we went!  It was very well done, one of the best shows I've seen on Broadway. This is Paul's expression after I told him his eyes were closed the first time.  Don't you like how strange our faces look when we take our own pictures.  Oh well!   

Caitlin and Courtney Graduate from St. Andrew's Nursery School

Caitlin and Courtney reciting their verse:  "Leaves are falling to the ground.  Yellow, orange, red and brown."

It was a bittersweet day for us--the end of an era--as Caitlin and Courtney graduated from nursery school.  All four of our children matriculated there.  We love the school, the teachers, the crafts, programs and the curriculum.  Rachel and Spencer were well prepared for kindergarten both socially and academically, thanks to St. Andrew's and I'm sure the twins are ready as well.  On the last day of school, I shed a few nostalgic tears when I realized that I will no longer have any preschoolers.  It's hard to believe how quickly five years have flown by since I held my little baby girls in my arms. 

The program was sweet, as always, with a recap of what the children learned throughout the year, accompanied by adorable songs and the kids' recitation of little verses. Afterwards, we enjoyed bountiful refreshments and the kids ran around on the playground for the very last time.   

Courtney snuggles with her Daddy

Caitlin wanted in on the cuddling

Rachel visits her old preschool for the final time and celebrates her sisters' graduation

Caitlin rocks the horse on the playground

Courtney is slip sliding away!

Beautiful girls!

A cute one from Courtney

Yesterday, I made pancakes for breakfast.  This is a rarity during the school week (I am lazy most mornings) but we were low on cereal that the kids like (a.k.a. any unhealthy junky sugar cereal) and I knew they wouldn't go for the Fiber One or Kashi that was in the pantry so I thought I'd treat them to something different.  Anyway, the kids asked for syrup so Paul began looking in the cupboard for some and pulled out ketchup as a joke and said, "I found the syrup!"  The other kids laughed but Courtney didn't get it.  Her eyes got really wide and she said, "Daddy, you really can't see without your glasses."  It was hilarious!