Caleb's 8th Birthday Party

We have the swim birthday parties at Cheshire down to a science now. Swim-cake-presents-swim again.......parents of non-swimmers must stay, some adults watch kids as others set up or clean up.......in and out within 2 1/2 hours. Aside from our normal neighborhood squabbles, the party went as smoothly as possible.














Annabelle had some wardrobe issues at the party. I forgot her favorite swim suit, which she calls her "heart bathing suit" (but because she can't say her R's, it sounds like her hot bathing suit....too cute), so Aunt Amie brought this one for her instead. She was not happy. She didn't want to wear a "kini".





Emily was so sweet and tried to help me by playing with her in the water.













































After the cake and presents she was a happier gal and enjoyed swimming with Emmie.




Caleb had a great time! Maybe I will write a post about him and how I am dazed by the fact that I have an 8 year old.

What is going on with us this month? Well, we have new neighbors and they are very, very cool. Our latest favorite thing to do is to hang out with them in the garage or by a backyard campfire after the kids are settled in bed. Sam, their 18 year old daughter, is an awesome singer songwriter and we take turns playing and singing for everyone. She is incredibly talented and hopes to make a career of music. I have been introducing some folky, mountainy, rootsy type music to her and she loves it. (They are originally from Canada) I tell ya, if talent and drive or ambition have anything to do with it, Sam will be famous one day! She, Holly (her mom) and I went out the other night and played an open mic. It was a great night and we plan on making it a weekly occurrence.

They also have a 12 year old daughter and 5 year old son that my children adore. The boys love to ride bikes and skateboard with Emma and play legos with Ben.























One of my favorite things about summer is all of the free live music around town. We love Shindig on the Green and Park Rhythms.
Bele Chere even sounds good to me this year. I can't wait for this Friday evening to get here because I am going to see my latest favorite local band, The Honeycutters, for the first time. I hope they put on a good show.

As you probably already know, music is so very important for maintaining joyfulness and sanity in me as I raise these kids. I have learned to keep it on in the background of our daily lives (except for some of our school time when I need to focus).

They love it.
I love it.

It changes the mood of a dreary day. How could anyone bear to clean house without it!?!

Last weekend we camped out up near Mt. Pisgah for Mike and Denise's wedding. It was so good to be up in the mountains with great friends, good music, and yummy food! Here are some pictures for ya:


I loved everything about their sweet mountain wedding. Here they are dancing to "Wagon Wheel" for their first dance.

Isn't her dress the greatest?
AND THE BOOTS! love 'em.



Some of the gals

The ceremony








Here is our campsite and the view from it. We borrowed a tent from our new neighbors that was ENORMOUS! Lots of folks swam in the pond in the heat of the day. In fact, Denise was swimming in it a couple of hours before the ceremony to chill out a bit.

Oh my word, the food was so good! Tex-Mex on Friday night. huge barbecue on Saturday.

So, let's see.....there was an awesome river to wade in, beautiful mountain trails to hike through, an old time String band to dance to, many wonderful friends to hang with, good food to eat, and no kids to tend to.

fun times.