Just the Girls

Happy 4th Birthday, Alyssa!

It was a beautiful day for a pool party to celebrate Alyssa's 4th birthday.

The vibrant princess cake was a hit!

Megan, Alyssa's friend who looks and sounds bizarrely similar to Alyssa.

The little brother and the big sister.

Alyssa's friend Julia. They'll finally be back in class together for Junior Kindergarten on Tuesday.

Rhys' friend (and Julia's little brother) Declan.

Rhys and Grampa.

Rich and Aunt Samantha.

Uniforms and Costumes

Kelly tried on her cheerleading uniform for the first time...

Alyssa put on her new Doc McStuffins costume,

And Rhys tried out his Spiderman costume. (We can't wait for Halloween!)

Characters

Rhys and the Cat

Rhys is smitten with the new addition to the family. Fortunately, Grandma's kitty, Fizzgig, is really very docile and patient, the perfect combination for a two-year-old's best friend.

Loss

On the evening of July 4th, Kelly's friend Raina Shields and her mother Grace drowned in the lake behind their home. We had the good fortune to get to know Raina through Kelly's kindergarten class, her Daisy Girl Scout troop, and her cheerleading squad. Raina was a very intelligent and kind little girl, serious and mature beyond her years. She was a pleasure to know and be around, impressing every adult that spoke to her. In the words of her Girl Scout leader, Raina was beautiful, inside and out. Post-cheerleading camp three weeks ago, striking a pose (Kelly, Genesis, Kennedy, and Raina):

Two from the Girl Scout trip to Richmond from a couple weeks ago: Giving Kelly an "award" while playing dress up on the museum stage:

Watching the others "perform," (Raina, Alyssa, and Ariana):

Finally, the 4th of July parade that Kelly and I walked in for our cheerleading club. Raina is right in front of me (Kelly was further towards the front, just out of the picture):

There are no words for the loss and sadness that we feel for the passing of this little girl and her mommy. Raina and Grace, we will miss you!!!!!

Sunday Morning on the Deck

Children's Museum of Richmond

We went to a children's museum for Kelly's Girl Scout troop's big end-of-the-year trip.
Waiting for the rest of the girls out front.

Playing in the lobby

And in the party room off the lobby

For some reason Alyssa really didn't want to smile for these pics

So we tried to get all the kids to frown with her

Almost time to go in!

The dinosaur fossil pit

Cave dwellers

Riding the triceratops

Apple picking

Riding the carousel

Ambulance drivers

Shopping in the grocery store

Vacuum tubes

Hula hooping

Just hatched!

On stage

In the artists' workshop

Playing in the treehouse

Rhys is an ambulance driver now

In the reading room

Milking a cow

Squished up against the glass

Alyssa back on stage

Farmer Kelly