Go jump in a lake

August is not August without a trip to Vermont and Peacham Pond. Last summer's photos feature little girls taking in the view but not able to interact with it very much. This year, interactions with the scenery were much expanded. The first photo is looking out from the rocky outcrop atop Devil's Hill after hiking there atop parental shoulders along with Uncle Charles (in photo), Cousin Cea, her boyfriend Tom, Cousin Virginia, husband Dan, and First Cousin Once Removed (but who's counting?) Liam. In addition to bagging the summit (and being rewarded with a lovely view of the pond and surrounding forest-covered hills), their other firsts included a first boatride -- with Cea handling both the oars and the photography -- and a first swim in the pond. Once the boat was safely dragged up onshore, Maggie snuggled up to Grandma Joan. Maggie can also be seen inaugurating her new cow pajamas with the special added bonus of getting a story from her Aunt Mary, who shares the childhood nickname of Moo with this particular niece.

Old Friends, new friends, and a big bowl of Maggie

Two photos and a movie celebrating the girls' discovery of the joys of sitting in a salad bowl and napkin basket. The other photo and movie are from a visit with Heidi's childhood friend (since kindergarten!) Jenn and her little boys Gavin and Everett visiting from California. We all gathered at the home of Jenn's brother, where Maggie and Bea explored the big front yard. The movie ends abruptly as the videographer raced over to prevent Maggie from decimating the lovely flowers by the front door.

Franken-Bea and the Fourth of July

You can childproof and childproof and childproof, but something is going to slip through the safety dragnet. A birdbath, for instance. Said birdbath looked stable enough when Maggie was investigating it, but what one cannot do alone, two can do with ease. Shortly after Bea joined in the fun, they managed to pull it down, directly onto the bridge of Bea's nose. Within ten minutes, she was being checked in at the Chambersburg Hospital emergency room and then in short order having her head examined (via CAT scan) and four stitches expertly applied right between the eyes. Bea proved remarkably resilient. She was only Franken-Bea for five days, at which point the stitches were removed, and her scar was already fading when we returned to the scene of the crime two weeks later for the Fourth of July. Bea and Maggie celebrated with matching patriotic dresses supplied by Heidi's beloved first-grade teacher, who stopped by with her grandchildren during an earlier visit to Grandma Janet in Lancaster. The big water-bearing hit of the holiday weekend was not a weaponized birdbath but a soft plastic contraption that was part wading pool and part sprinkler, providing some much-needed relief from towering temperatures.

Hats and hikes

As noted previously, there is general agreement that the heat and humidity of Washington in summer make it unfit for human habitation, forcing inhabitants to dart from one air-conditioned space to another. But there are urban escapes to be had. Two photos from a family hike on the wooded hills of the National Arboretum. When Utahn field geologist par excellence David Dinter paid a visit to the swamp, Bea attempted to mirror the rake of his weather-beaten hat with her own and then tried the real thing. And speaking of hats (if not the urban experience), the girls sport a pair of Shaker bonnets, a look not to be passed up.

Summer out of the city

Summer has arrived with a vengeance in DC, our fair city in a swamp. So trips to the country are a much-needed escape from the humidity if not the heat. Visits to Grandma Joan feature as much time as possible out on the porch and in the grass. The girls quickly got the hang of their new rainbow tube under the supervision of their grandmother, but their father's attempts to join in the fun were less successful. Aunt Nessa can be seen demonstrating her famous knee tickling technique on Bea with the desired effect. In other photos, the family unit is bathed in late-afternoon sun, and the little girls play with big blocks.

Take Bea out to the ballgame (and Hooray for graduate Cea!)

Congratulations to cousin Cea, whose Bryn Mawr graduation was cause for great celebration. Maggie and Bea are enjoying the day with the about-to-be graduate as well as cousin Henry.

Another first: The girls finally took advantage of living 10 blocks from the ballpark, going to see the Nationals play the Mets (and getting to meet Dave's former AGI colleagues in the process). Maggie likes to wear her new cap sideways.

And two videos from April: The first is in response to Uncle Charles's request for further documentation of the girls' walking prowess, and the second was taken by aunt Nessa when she came to town to help out while Dave was traveling. Bea is in rare form while her sister somehow manages to tolerate the performance.

Thanks, mom!

At the ripe old age of 15 months, Maggie and Bea were not quite up to writing this entry, but conveyed their perspective to their father. The girls are very grateful to their mother for all she does for them every day and every night -- all oodles of tender loving care are gratefully received and acknowledged. For this Mother's Day, we pledge to focus on sleeping through the night, will no longer try to climb off the back of the couch, and generally will attempt not to be drawn to trouble like moths to the proverbial flame. Failing that, we will ensure adequate cuteness and sweetness to forgive all. Much love, M&B..and D. (And thanks to Grandmoms too!)