While You Were Away

This year we did our summer Michigan trip a little differently. Chris and the big girls flew out four days before Elizabeth and I. Chris got to have his full 10 days at home, and I got to have 4 days of alone time with Elizabeth. It worked out perfectly. Elizabeth and I had a lot of fun on our own. A few of the highlights...

Elizabeth had the dress up box all to herself, and she had a blast picking out different outfits and accessories.

We built a tall tall tower, and Elizabeth got to admire it and then knock it down!

True to her style of turning anything circular into a bracelet, Elizabeth created this signature look...

We walked around holding hands. 

Our raspberries were just beginning to turn red, and we spent a lot of time in the raspberry patch, picking and eating.

Late afternoon shadows in the sandbox...

My biggest accomplishment during the few days "off" was finishing the pillow shams I've had in mind for the big girls ever since the cozy corner was created. 

Then it was off to Michigan for us! We were ready to see family and swim in the lake!

Raspberries!

Our raspberry plants have multiplied this year. We got rid of our strawberries and let the raspberries take over one entire half of the garden. Last month we got tons of berries, visiting the garden daily to pick a treat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toads, Fairies, and Raspberries

We planted three or four raspberry bushes in our garden a few years ago, and this year they've finally taken off. They've spread all over, and we got lots and lots of delicious berries!

One evening after the girls were in bed, I went out to the raspberry patch to do some harvesting.

I was startled by a crunching sound under some of the leaves. I have seen snakes out there before, so I jumped back. But on closer inspection, it was just this little friend.

Can you see him now?

How about now?

The raspberry patch does look like a very inviting place for a toad to make a home. There's plenty of shade and water, and there is nice soft moss and plenty of insects.

Another evening, after dinner but before bedtime, Chris went out to the raspberry patch while I took pictures of our little fairies on the deck.

It was pretty windy that evening, and no matter how many times Addie put her hat on, the wind just kept lifting it right off her head.

Dad brought his bounty up to the deck, and shared with the girls.

Emily begged for more! more! more!

"More!"                                                "Please?"                                             "Yay!"

Thanks Dad!

Another night, Emily had a little too much fun with her raspberries at dinner, and ended up looking like this...

It was all fun and games, until the cleanup!

The sink hose-down