Let's Go Swimming

With temps hovering right around 100 degrees, there was no better way to cool off than in the pool. We swam in Grandma and Papa's wading pool, at the Swim Club, and at a friend's beautiful in-ground pool. The kids loved every minute!

A Fair Day

We arrived at the Trumbull County Fair at 10:30 a.m. (two hours after its official opening) to find all of the rides shut down and the concession stands shuttered. What the...?!? It turned out that the rides didn't start until 1 p.m. , which meant that we had two and a half hours to entertain the kids at the barns before placating them with sugary treats and thrill rides. Fortunately, they did great, and the super slide at the end was a favorite with all of the kids!

Happy Fourth of July!

I have very fond memories of traveling to my grandparents' house to watch the July Fourth parade in Canfield, so it was really special to share the tradition with my three kids this year. We all braved the sweltering heat to cheer on the marchers, catch buckets full of tootsie rolls and lollies, and sip refreshing lemon shake-ups.

Lunch with G.G.

We were all delighted to head to G.G.'s house for a fried chicken and sprinkle cookie lunch, a gourmet "crab feast" prepared by the kids in the old cast-iron stove, and a spirited bird chase in the backyard. I hope that the cardinals and robins have since returned! Thank you for a lovely afternoon, Grandma!

Here Fishy, Fishy...

Encouraged by our success fishing in Piqua, we headed to Canfield to try our luck at a friend's pond. We weren't disappointed! Within minutes of casting our lines, Kaitlyn caught the first fish. She then caught ten more! Claire caught three, just as she predicted (she retired to the shade with her Cheez-Its as soon as she met her goal). Jack caught a large-mouth bass with a little help from Papa. Even I caught a few, though the big one got away with my bobber!

Go Swimming!

Every morning, Jack is ready to "Go swimming!" He doesn't care if it's in a big pool, like Troy Aquatic Park with all the fountains or in Grandma and Papa's backyard wading pool. He just wants to get get wet and douse his sisters. Now that it's 100 degrees out, I'm ready to join him!

A Visit with Granny

We had a lovely lunch and visit with Granny, who is spunky as ever. She played a little ball with Jack, helped Kaitlyn with her Queen Anne's lace bouquet, and tried to reason with a tired, cranky Claire. Finally, Granny just smiled and whispered, "She's an ornery one today, isn't she?!"  Yes, indeed.