A new family member

But first a good day: We went to the park, then the library, then the hatchery, and finally a frozen yogurt shop. The kids were in heaven :)

Back to the headliner - no, no more babies (sorry aunties). Instead, our experiment with dog-sitting Lina went so spectacularly well that we decided it was time for a puppy. I already have 4, what's 1 more?

Here we are meeting the prospectives:

And... meet Dan. He fits in very well.

Yea, he's a mellow dog. He has a few hours of super energy in the morning right when the kids do, so I kick them all outside and it's amazing.

Random Lily cleaning the floors.

Trying on our new rainsuits (I'm more prepared for this year's wetness).

Theo's laptop was dead, so Avy shared hers with him. Meanwhile Ellie and Lily are snuggled close and every once in a while Ellie would guide Lily through her application. Also, spot the dog :)

Family bike ride! Including our new member (red chariot).

Isn't the dog supposed to pull the cart? Still, he's a good boy :)

Dog sitting!

This is Lina. Lina is a sweetheart of a dog who we got to take care of for a little under a week.

Picking a neighbor's plums (the best!)

Playing with Lina

Walking (getting walked by) Lina.

Picking the last blueberries of the season

Snuggly sisters

Daddy and the kids made giant cookies.

Yep, Lina fit right in.

Chores

We're still cleaning the house as a family, and while the novelty has worn off now, it was still nifty enough for pictures the second time around.

The littles getting ready to cross the street to visit our neighbors.

The littles helping me pack a picnic for the park.

My hoard of bicyclists at the park :)

Party at the park

Our dear friend Annah came and gussied up the kids and took them to a party at the park. Look how shiny!

Afterwards, lunch and ice cream. Could you have a better day?

Sleep and Science

We've been, without exaggeration, sick since November. We've still been doing stuff but there's been a rotation of illnesses sweeping our house since early last winter. It's September. Puh-leeeease can we be well soon?

Ellie passing out on my shoulder - poor bear.

We still managed to sneak in an experiment or two! Color blending for the littles...

...and paper-making for everyone. I found a homeschooling mother in India who blogs science experiments and her paper-making one looked awesome.

Rip up and soak old paper....

....then puree it....

...then gently pat it into molds. We ended up with the world's thickest paper (after a few days) but we also learned a bit about the Egyptians and papyrus. Plus it was a solid 2 hours of fun :)

Smiles :)

Examining moss under our "microscope". We watched a video that showed how moss can stay dry for months but unfurls at the first drop of water, so the girls wanted to see the process in action.

Cute tax.