How much chuck can a woodchuck…?

We have some woodchucks in our fields. They bother the fence posts and dig holes into which sheep and lambs are apt to fall. They are nemeses. Monkey has been after them with his gun any number of times -- some close calls, but no success. But this week, HF got one. Here it is, skin still on:

And here it is off -- while HF is gutting and preparing it (it is now all cooked up in a stew). Quite a science lesson, I assure you:

Mouse started her swim lessons this week. The girl adores swimming and is happy as all get out to be in the water; however, she's not a huge fan of the lessons. The first day she was fine and went right down the (tall) slide with no coaxing. See?

But every day after she's cried. Poor girl. Roo has gone in as a lesson 'helper' several days, as Mouse is not the only reluctant 3-year-old in the class…

The other, and most vocal, beginning swimmer who is disenchanted, is our friend Kate. Here she and Mouse hang out on the sidelines during their older siblings' first official swim meet (they did great!). Too sweet.

Our friends the Eaddys - the other family hosting a Latvian orphan - have access to a neighborhood lake and invited us to come swim there with them this week. So fun:

Monkey had his end-of-year cub scout ceremony on Thursday night, a barbecue most notable for the sheets of rain that were falling just outside the pavilion for most of it. They pressed on nonetheless, however, and Monkey promoted to Weebelo. New hat and new neckerchief to go with that new rank!

Here's the den

Today HF took Monkey out on the nearby Rappahannock River for his first canoe paddle. Very exciting! They both loved it.

DC outing day

Yesterday we took a pass on swim team practice and the kids and I met up with some old friends from NH days for a Washington DC outing day. They live in Frederick, MD and have been in the area for quite some time; they are very familiar with the ins and out of DC (unless us). Cari and her three kids - boys ages 8 and 7 and girl age 5 1/2 - took us through the Museum of Natural History and the bottom section - lit-up moving walkways! - of the gorgeous National Art Museum. (We'll have to go back there for real sometime; what a place! Artist Roo in particular is eager.) Added bonus: there were some phone booths, now empty of phones, for the kids to pile into and play around in. Funny archaic items… Good fun on a HOT, hot day. We rounded it out with the fountain and some ice cream, and everyone was happy!

Swim and such

We started swim team this week with the local and much-praised team, called the Eels; their reputation is for not too intense (i.e., you can miss practices and even meets when need be), good community, and great coaches. So far we are adoring it. The three biggest kids are all participating, and many of the families we're becoming friends with in town are doing it too. So thankful. We started practices Monday and their first mock meet was Thursday night. 

Both Roo and Monkey won their heats! This was especially noteworthy because two days prior to the meet Monkey believed he was unable to swim across the pool without grabbing the line occasionally for assistance. Then he turns around and rocks his heat - fastest kid, no touching at all. Love it! 

They even got the youngests up on the blocks to race-- by jumping in to the coaches and then "swimming," with the coaches, the whole length. Here's Goose right before her heat:

Yesterday we went to the new children's museum in Fredericksburg with Roo's bestie from school, Hope, and her mom. Sweet place, and the the "stage" was a big hit:

This morning I had the distinct pleasure of breakfasting out with this young man, which was truly delightful in every way. (And I cannot even tell you how much food an 8-year-old who has been out swimming at a pizza pool party till 8:30 the prior evening can eat. Astounding!)

Berry-picking has been much on the kids' wish-list of late, but because we have been undergoing the Busiest Weeks of their Childhood, seemingly, since late May we haven't done it. Turns out we missed strawberry season completely, but we did get out and stockpile a nice stash of blueberries this morning, which was good fun.

Performances, grandparents, trips: something for everyone

Crazy full and perfectly fabulous past two to three weeks. So many wonderful events and blessings. Photos of a few: