Summer Summary, Part 1

For our first summer in Colorado, our family has found lots of time for fun. The majority of our recreation has been hiking (an activity which deserves its own post, based on the number of pictures we've accumulated), but we have found other things to do, too:

1) TENNIS
Forest joined the Loveland Tennis League and has been playing singles matches once a week. I've taken the girls to see him a few times.

Ramona is very vocal about showing her support at these matches (although not always at the right time).

2) PARK PLAYDATES
We've made it to various play dates to socialize with little friends and enjoy the mountain and lake views.

By Lake Loveland

 

 

 

 

 

 Mika puts on a big grin every time I set her in the swings.

I tried taking Ramona to a splash pad park, but the first time she got sprayed with a blast of water, she came right back to me, screaming. Water pressure must have been good.

 She stuck with the swings for a while after that.

 

Even on days when we just visit the neighborhood park on our own with no extra friends, Ramona and Mika have been great playmates to each other.

 

 

3) BIKE RIDING
Ramona's good behavior recently earned her a bicycle and a pretty pink helmet, too. We've since taken several laps around the neighborhood to help her practice her pedaling.

 

She really only needs one training wheel (and Mommy nearby) because she leans so far to the left

 4) SWIMMING

Most of the girls' swimming thus far has just been in the bathtub . . . 

 . . . but we did get them in a real pool while we were visiting Dan and Christie in Boulder.

 

Mika's first moments in the water: a little apprehensive

She got right down to business splashing Daddy before too long

 

5) FROZEN TREATS
Our ice cream machine broke down not long after we moved, and is now just sitting in the garage, gathering dust and no doubt feeling betrayed. Even if it were still working, though, I question if we would be making nearly as many batches of homemade ice cream as we used to (say, with one child instead of two).

Homemade or not, ice cream is a necessity in the summer time (especially since our home has no A/C)--so we keep our freezer stocked with the store-bought varieties, and splurge at gelato shops here and there when we can.

I just save "homemade" for the easier task of making popsicles.

 

Happy Summer!