Rock Hall

The summer has been full of camps, friends, family, and long weekends. Here’s just a snapshot. 
Sophie did a week long Handiworks camp where she learned how to sew. She loved it! Here she is (bottom left) wearing a hat she made with her friend Rachel. 

For 6 weeks Sophie went to Miquon Day Camp where she swam twice a day (among other nature camp activities). She worked all summer long and in her last week finally passed the deep water test and got her prized green band. Look at that proud face. 
In mid-July we had a fun afternoon with two entomologist from the Academy of Natural Sciences, who did a bug hunt on our property. The found about a dozen bugs, two of which will be kept in the permanent collect at the museum. 
In August we headed down to Rock Hall for the annual Pirates and Wenches weekend where Dave and the girls took first place in the dinghy contest. The winning dinghy was decorated like a pirate ship, complete with a shark on the side. Here’s the crew – Both Dave’s, Sophie, Lauren, and Shannon. Argh! 

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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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The Pope came to Philly at the end of September and the entire City had to basically shutdown. We took the opportunity to enjoy the 4 day weekend in Rock Hall with the Devine’s. The weather was beautiful – perfect early fall days and nights. We spent a lot of time on the water.

John, Dave and the girls trying to catch jelly fish off the dock

Sophie and Ava waiting to take Tiny Boat out

The girls on Tiny Boat

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Last weekend for Memorial Day we went down to Rock Hall, MD for a few day (thanks Mom Mom and Pop Pop Sharp for letting us use your house!). The Devine’s joined us for the whole weekend and the Townsend’s joined us for the last day. 4 kids total and everyone had a great time.

Ava and Sophie loved the horse swing and kept chanting “higher, higher!” No one fell off so it was a success… 
 All three girls put the new sandbox to good use
 We set up the blow-up pool in the backyard. The girls had a blast (and as you see in this pic Ava was very into the hose)

 What’s amazing about this pic is that it’s Benson, out in the water. This is not a dog who likes to swim at all, but after a stick throws he got very into it. Just too tempting I guess.
 We all went for a sail on Sunday. Ava and Sophie spent most of the time at the bow. They were loving it.

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Over the 4th the Coughlins and Rainers had their traditional summer vacation in Ocean City. Sophie stayed with them for the entire week and enjoyed being the most spoiled little grandkid there was. Lauren and I came down for a few days at the end of the week. While the weather the first part of the week wasn’t great, the weather at the end was perfect! Lots of beach sitting, cocktail drinking, book reading, bike riding, treasure burying and just relaxing…. ahhhh. I have about a million pictures, and here are just a few of the highlights.

Lauren’s first real beach day. She wasn’t a fan of the water, but didn’t mind hanging out in her chair or on the lap of her relatives. 
 Sophie is a true beach bum. She could be down there for 8 hours straight, and still not be ready to leave. She had a blast playing by herself, making friends, and running in and out of the water. 
And what’s a trip to Ocean City without renting a surrey?

The whole crew (sans James, who is taking the picture)
 After the week was over, Becky, James, Mom & Dad and all of us visited with Kathy & Dave at their new house in Rock Hall, MD. Here’s Sophie helping Dave and Uncle Ed to clean a fish. She’s quite the little helper. 

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This weekend we headed down to Maryland. We spent Friday night at the Sharp’s new house in Rock Hall, and then Dave had a regatta with the ULYC on Saturday in Oxford, and then we headed back to Rock Hall on Sunday for Mother’s Day. It was an absolutely beautiful weekend weather-wise and so nice to just relax with family.

Dave’s boat came in 2nd at the regatta and he also presented the awards that evening at a party and awards ceremony. This year Sophie was also his helper.

Clapping for an award winner

An attentive listener to an acceptance speech 
The fam
And the very best part of the weekend was my Mother’s Day present – a beach cruiser bike with an attachment for Sophie! We’ll keep it down at the house in MD. We rode around for a while this afternoon and it was so much fun. So looking forward to this summer! 

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