Meanwhile, Back in Vermont

It's great to be home!  We so missed our four legged friends, especially, Zephy.  Being home means spending some quality time with her.  But it also means, a full week of "Mom Camp".  It happened to be Hazey's half birthday on Monday, so we biked the causeway with Lindsay, Maggie, and Ollie.  It was a hot day and perfect to just jump in the lake to cool off.

Per Hazey's request, we invited Scott, Cynthia, Tom and Cara over for a barbeque and ate homemade Maine Blueberry Pie.  This was all capped off with a fun sleepover with Ollie. 

I know, I know, most people don't make a big deal about half birthdays....... but these kids are winter babies and I have so much more time to bake and play in the summer.  So, I make a big deal about these milestones. 

I'd been hearing a lot about the movie RBG-- a documentary about Ruth Bader Ginsberg.  Several folks told me Cally would love it. So, we went on a girls date with Auntie Cara.  It was such an inspiring story and Cally was thoroughly engaged.  It made me so proud to bring her on such a mature date.  She continues to wow me with her curiosity and concern for others.  I love this gal!

Having been on Mom duty a lot this summer, I managed to make time for me to do get back on my mountain bike and go on some great rides, thanks to Annika Mahoney (our new favorite babysitter).

Mom week also means sleeping in!  This guy wasn't up before 9am any day this week!

It's great to have another mom who is always up for an adventure with her kids.  Lindsay and her kids also joined us at the Smugglers Notch caves and a hike to Sterling Pond....... where we saw a Moose!

caving!

Moose!

Found our friend's sticker "Better Baked in Vermont" on the sterling chair!

 These kids have so much fun together!

Strong Hikers!

 We also made it to a Lake Monster's baseball game.  As a reward for doing the ABCD brain study that Cal is a part of, she "earned" two free tickets.  I forgot how long and slow baseball is!  Fortunately, there was some fun people watching and between inning entertainment.

Friday was Festival of Fools in Burlington.  We stumbled upon it last year and now it is a favorite part of our summer.

We wrapped up the work week with a family date to the "Spot on the Dock"

We had made plans to hike Mt. Mansfield with the Pearce/Montgomery family, but found ourselves sleeping until 9:30 on Saturday morning and thought we missed the boat.  When I told the kids it wasn't going to work out, they were so disappointed.  Fortunately, our friends were willing to delay a bit so we were able to join them.

 We made it down from the exposed ridge, just before a huge, unexpected thunderstorm began.

 And finally, we wrapped up the week with a visit to High Meadow to see the folks at "Farm Party".  The kids loved playing with all the older buddies they have met over the years.