Pure Michigan with the Makris family

Last week we spent the week at Makris Family Summer Camp - the Detroit edition. There were slip-n-slides, bouncy houses, water parks, coney islands, picnics at the park, and many ice cream cones. We take up two rows at the movie theater, and we have to ask for a table for 18 at a restaurant. Thanks to Skip and Margaret Gmeiner for the wonderful boat ride through Downtown. And thanks to Grandma and Papou for hosting our crazy crew. These nine cousins are going to have many fun (and loud) memories of their summers in the Mitten!

Catch Air Craziness!

Last week while Henry and John were at camp, I promised Peter and Frances some fun with their best friend, Gracie. They were so excited that they stood at the front door that morning awaiting her arrival. We spent the morning at Catch Air - there was lots of bouncing, jumping, sliding, swinging, and dancing. I couldn't stop laughing at some of Peter's dance moves! I left with three sweaty toddlers who all ate a hearty lunch and took very long naps.

Happy Father's Day!

It's often loud, but it's always the loudest when "Daddy's home!" Happy Father's Day, Gus! You are the very best part of our day.

Pool Rats

It's amazing what can happen in a year. The pool is incredibly easier this year with four kids, so we have spending a lot of time at our neighborhood pool. Henry and John are very strong swimmers. Peter has been taking swim lessons, and he is slowly graduating from the backpack float. And Frances is a big old chicken, who doesn't like to even come off the steps (even in her flotation device). She likes playing in the water, but she's just very cautious. And this mama doesn't mind one bit. The boys are less cautious and spend a lot of time on the high dive. And Frances is perfectly happy cheering them on from the pool deck. She also has some unique pool fashion - a bonnet and her big brother's shoes.

Summer Camp

Henry and John spent the past week at summer camp at the local nature center. It was an all day camp with canoeing, swimming, hiking, sports, games, and lots of learning about nature. They were a little nervous the first couple days, but on the last day, Henry asked if he could go to summer camp for a month! The last day of camp was also "crazy hair day", and these boys definitely had some crazy hair. Thanks to Nanna and Pa for giving these boys the gift of summer camp. It was very much appreciated!

Peter the Swimmer

Peter just finished another round of swim lessons. He is getting closer and closer to swimming without a backpack float. My favorite part of the video is when he points at the swim instructor to back up so he can jump out further to her. And how darn cute is he in his goggles?!

A Dollhouse for our Doll

It took a few months, but this was the result - a beautiful, homemade dollhouse bookshelf from Pa. Frances wants to keep it right here in her bedroom. I told Pa that he should open up a shop. "Nah," he said. "I would do all that work only for her." Thank you, sweet Pa!