Claire

Claire Marvin, Sophie’s friend from preschool who moved to Hawaii in first grade came back to Philly for a visit this summer. We got together with them for a day in Philly, along with Rachel Cornejo, another preschool buddy who Sophie is still friends with. The girls had a blast catching up – even recreating a picture taken about 9 years ago.

Recreating a picture taken at one of the Core States bike races when we used to have a big BBQ on Lemon Hill.
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Our old neighbors and Sophie’s BFF from Greene Towne, the Marvin’s, came to visit from Hawaii. We met them for a quick brunch and visit in the old neighborhood.

Claire, Sophie, Lauren, and Emma outside of our old house. The new owners painted the door black, from our beautiful purple – how could they?! 
We spent another weekend on the Chesapeake with the Townsends, this time on the boat. We sailed to Cacaway Island and anchored for the night. The weather was beautiful and the water was really warm (almost bath warm). We kayaked, swam, grilled and hung out. It was an excellent weekend.
Sophie manning her own kayak with Crystal carrying Lauren and Bella.

Lauren at the helm
The last weekend in July Dave and I rode in the Tour de Shore, a 67 mile bike ride from Philly to Atlantic City. A friend wanted us to do it with her to celebrate her 35th birthday, so we did. It was a long, long ride, but we made it (in 5.5 hours!). I was dead tired when it was done and sword I’d never do it again – but now that I’m fully recovered, I might consider it again 😉

The “team:” me, Tom, Robyn, Dave
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We headed to Rock Hall, MD for Memorial Day weekend and stayed at the Sharp’s house with our friends the Marvin’s and the Spiegel’s. The three older girls, Sophie, Claire and Liora, have been friends since their first year at the Toddler House and this trip was a little bitter sweet because the Marvin’s will be moving to Hawaii in July. We had three great days hanging at the beach, on the boat, and in the back yard. 
The kids crew: Emma, Ilan, Lauren, Sophie, Claire & Liora

Lora, Lauren and Claire on the boat.

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It was a great school year! Lauren’s first in the Toddler House and Sophie’s last as a pre-schooler. Lauren loves her class – I’m so happy she’ll have the same teachers again next year.

Water transfer

Cutting cheese and giving the stink eye to anyone even thinking about taking it

With a friend

Sister love in the hallway. One of the teachers caught this cute scene.

End of year ice cream social
I volunteered to be a parent helper for Earth Day (actually, Dave volunteered, and then and to travel, so I took his place. Although I knew worms were involved, I agreed anyway). We did a lot of planting in the courtyard. 
Sophie with her posse: Liora, Claire, Beatrice and Else.

And the 3 Amigos: Sophie, Liora & Claire
I also volunteered to be a chaperone for Sophie’s class trip to City Hall. 
All 28 kids and 6 adults took the City Bus to get there. I will tell you that not everyone on board was so happy about this. But the kids had a blast. 

Once we got there we got to go all the way to the top of the Tower, which is something they only recently started letting people do. The elevator to get up there, and the space to observe is small, so each parent went with just 5 kids. It was a pretty cool view. 

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This has been a busy summer! We were out of town most weekends, fortunately for fun trips. Sophie was in all-day camp at Greene Towne School and Lauren spent the summer with her nanny Michelle and friend Julia. Here are just a few of the things we did.

We spent a weekend in MD with our friend the Marvin’s and the Spiegel’s. Six kids in the house! The kids spent the days tiring themselves out so that they vegged out with a movie at night. 

Tubing in the Chesapeake (Liora, Claire, Sophie & Jeremy Spiegel)

At Sophie’s request we took a Philly Bus Tour around the city. It was actually a lot of fun and we all learned a little about our city. 

The girls did some digging for treasure at Pirates and Wenches weekend in Rock Hall, MD. Here’s Sophie in her best pirate gear (arrr!). 
The girls cruised around in their new princess car, compliments of Nana and Pappap, in Virginia. Sophie is the driver and Lauren rocks the passenger seat, working the radio. 

And Sophie did a lot of swimming this summer. She took lessons at camp and also got in the water a lot in MD. She’s getting a lot more comfortable and will hopefully be a confident swimmer soon! 

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The first weekend in June is always the Philly Pro Cycling Tour, a professional bike race that comes right through out neighborhood. We’ve had an annual BBQ for the last few years – maybe 7 at this point – and it’s always a good time. A lot more family-oriented now that everyone has kids. 
 Benson, still hanging in there, but looking older these days. Sophie made him a flower necklace to wear for the occasion.
 Sophie with her friends Claire, Rachel and Leah

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We’ve already gotten three big snow storms so far this winter. Last week school was closed early because of the snow, so Amy and I got the girls together to go sledding down a hill close to our house. However, Sophie and Claire were more interested in making snow angels than sledding. They had a blast, despite the freezing temperatures (which they didn’t even seem to feel).

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We had a beautiful Halloween in Philly. Nice and warm and lots and lots of kids. Sophie of course went trick or treating with Claire, who was Ariel. They made out like bandits… now we just need to discreetly lose most of the candy.

The infamous duo
On Sunday there was a Halloween parade in the neighborhood. The kids paraded up a few of the streets, where neighbors went all out with cupcakes, candy and ice cream. It was a sugar free-for-all.

Claire (Ariel), Liora (a flapper), Sophie (purple princess), Ilan (clown), Emma (crab)
And Lauren went as a Cabbage Patch kid. She didn’t love the wig, but tolerated it long enough to get a few good pictures. 

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Today marks Sophie’s last day at the Toddler House at Greene Towne School. It seems like only yesterday she started there, and now she’ll be among the “big kids” at the Primary School. She’s turned into such an amazing, smart and vivacious little kid over the last two years, and I know GTS had a big part in that. Here she is this morning getting ready for her last day (with trusty Benson by her side)!

Here are a few shots of her and the class from this year: 

 The dynamic duo: Sophie & Claire

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