Now that summer's over...

...we'll reminisce about it. (Mostly because I'm so slow at getting the pictures off our camera!)

 Amelia was..and still is...in her Laura Ingalls phase. She wore this bonnet a lot this summer. Many thanks to the Licharowicz family, who handed it down to us in a very appreciated bag of costume goodies.

 Evelyn had a play date, so Alan and I took Amelia (in her bonnet) to the Hamilton Tavern for burger night. She sat perfectly quietly in the restaurant reading her books and writing in her journal. Oh yeah, and eating a burger. Then we took our shadow picture on the walk home.

 Our little babe-in-bonnet had a GREAT time digging holes in the front yard. She would slip out quietly and amuse herself quietly...which is why it took us so long to realize what a land mine our yard was becoming.

 But she was so doggone cute, especially when I went out to tell her she couldn't dig holes in the front yard and she was giddy with delight over finding a worm. That's our little treasure-hunter...with her treasure.

 Alan played an awesome gig at The Cylburn Arboretum. Speaking of treasures, this place is one of Baltimore's relatively undiscovered ones. We love coming here.

 Isn't that the most incredible tree? 

 And look at the English Garden. And you can come wander around here for free!

 I love the sister conversation happening here. We highly recommend the Cylburn Arboretum.

 And our summer is never quite complete without the annual trip with my mom to the state fair, which always ends with ice cream. It starts with a tour of the animal barns and has a huge marathon of midway rides in the middle.

 Every year I'm always a little disappointed in myself--I get so worn out so fast, or get a headache or just have that out-of-body feeling as I follow my kids and my mom around in a fog. This year I felt incredible. What was the difference? I rode no rides this year. 

Wanna bet I'd have felt differently if I'd ridden these two gems w/my girls? Yep, they're on both of these, which were their two hands-down favorites of the fair. Me? I took video while sitting on a bench having pleasant conversation with my mom. Another happy summer memory--this one with no headache attached!