Ra-Ti-Ra-Ti-La-Ti-Do-La-Ti-So

Our neighbors invited us to Pioneer Days at their church. The kids got to wash socks "the old fashioned way", cut logs, and Do-Si-Do! (Aidan chose not to go.)

Amy and her friend Jorja learn the Virginia Reel (along with about 40 other people!). Amy is the one with the enormous pink bonnet. She received lots of compliments on her Pioneer Days costume.

This past week Amy went to Trampoline Camp at the gym where she has taken gymnastics since she was 4 (about 2.5 years). She had a great time and learned a lot of new skills in the process. A few clips of her newest skills...

If you're wondering where Aidan was during all this, well, he was either at home helping Dad with various projects or part of the audience during the gymnastics or music events. While Amy was at camp, Aidan got to spend some one-on-one time with his grandparents. He said he had a great time, though I don't have any photos from his visit.

Amy has finished book 2 in music class, so they had a little "concert" to play their favorite songs for the "audience." Aidan started private lessons about a month ago, so I don't think they have individual concerts for those classes. The kids under 8 are in classes with several other kids and their parents, so they all progress at the same time (no child left behind, don'tcha know!). One of the things the kids learn in their music lessons is Solfege ("soul-fudge"), so they learn to sing every song using "do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti". When I first heard it, I felt like I was the only English speaker in the room! Weird. Now I can't think of any of the songs we learned without thinking of them in Solfege, which can be really annoying at 2 a.m. But that is what the title of this blog means- it's part of a song the kids learned in Solfege.

A week or so ago we got a hitch installed on the van, so we are now on the hunt for a pop-up camper. We love camping, and would like to be able to venture outside our one-hour comfort zone and camp for more than a few nights, so we decided it was time to upgrade. We'll keep you posted...

Halfway through summer!

Aidan and Tess go fishing.

Last week and friend of mine and I took our kids to Guadalupe State Park to swim and play in the river. It was a really nice day- not too hot, nice breeze, and lukewarm water with very little current. Even Tatum, her toddler, managed to belly crawl/float using her hands on move around.

Amy and Tess riding the "current" through a "dam".

The kids' music school has an annual Luau, complete with Hawaiian dancers, grass skirts and leis that the kids made, and a roasted pig! They also had all the kids perform a few songs with gestures for the audience. Unfortunately, my camera battery was dead by then, but it was a really good performance! It was hotter than fire, but we had a great time!


Aidan had his first experience with the orthodontist, who confirmed our suspicions- he needs braces. He is less than thrilled.

Fourth of July weekend was spent in Fredericksburg and Ingram with my mom and Will's folks. Amy invited Granna and I to her tea party. Since Granna got the "special" tea cup, we toasted "Age before beauty!"

While visiting Granny and Pop, Maya decided to cool down in their fountain. Pretty funny, since it's about a 5 gallon well and she's about a 20 gallon dog! She didn't mind, but she was NOT happy when I put her Kong (her woobie) out of her reach. On our way back to "the farm" we stopped at an estate sale where I found a few bargains: a chair and ottoman and a mesquite sofa table. Aidan got a working mini fridge for a whopping $5!

Back at Granna's on the fourth, we had a laugh trying to light sparklers without lighting our hair on fire.

Some of us were not so lucky: Will managed to burn off a few locks of hair! Amy was pretty intimidated by the burst of fire, but she braved it for one sparkler.

The kids thought they looked cool, especially the one that changed colors. Thanks Pop!

Amy sings a song from "Pocahontas."

Aidan explains his contraption he invented on the computer.

"Cat Alarm"

And for the grand finale...

The Fourth of July Spectacular Spectacular

starring Will Schalla with commentary by Granna,

laughter by Aidan and Amy,

and brilliant film timing by Kelly.