• Sharp Family Blog

    Sharp Family Blog

 And here we are – in September already! Sophie started at her new school, Cynwyd Elementary, which is about a 4 block walk from our house. She’s in Miss Henry’s 1st grade class and so far loves it. Lauren started at Bala House Montessori School in their primary program. She has two years to go before starting Kindergarten. She’s in Miss Kiernan’s class and also loves it.

The girls on their first day.

Miss Henry’s first grade class – first day of school

Lauren doing counting work in Miss Kiernan’s class.

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The last week in August we drove up to Montreal and spent four days there and then drove down to Lake George and spent three days there. Both amazing places! A good mix of exploring, eating good food and relaxing before the school year begins. 
We went to the Ben & Jerry’s factory where they make about a third of their ice cream. Unfortunately the production lines weren’t running on the weekend, but we did see the factory where the ice cream was made and also enjoyed free samples at the end. 
In Montreal we went to a ropes course one day where the girls tested their high walking skills. Dave and Sophie went way up high and Lauren and I stayed closer to the ground. 

We did some sight seeing – here overlooking the City of Montreal. 

After Montreal we went to Lake George and to a very old school amusement park. The rides were last updated around the 1950s. They went way faster than rides today – evidence in this photo where the girls are almost flung out of the car. 

The girls first roller coaster ride. I think I’m freaking out the most in this picture. I wasn’t completely sure that the car was going to stay on the tracks. Fortunately we all survived 🙂
We rented a cabin on Lake Luzerne, which was totally relaxing. There was a dock where we did a lot of fishing…
and also a lot of marshmallow roasting.  What a great vacation and a great way to end a wonderful summer! 

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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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The girls have had a great summer – and it’s not over yet! In June they spent a week with Dave and the Sharps on the boat in the Chesapeake. They got to swim every day and explored haunts of Dave’s childhood. 
The girls jumping off the side of the boat. At the beginning of the summer Lauren wouldn’t even swim in the water and by the end of the week she was jumping off the side of the boat. It was pretty amazing. 

 Roasting marshmallows on the beach. 

The girls riding along behind the boat in the dinghy.

Kayaking in one of the many coves.
And then in July the girls came with me for a week to Ocean City for the Coughlin/Rainer annual summer vacation. Fresh off the boat (ha!), the girls were expert swimmers with no fear jumping into the water. 
Nana with her granddaughters. 

Pap Pap teaching Sophie how to fly a kite. 
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The day after graduation the girls had their spring dance recital. This was Sophie’s second time on stage and Lauren’s first. They both did really well!
Sophie and her friend Rachel

Lauren and her class prancing across stage. Their class danced to Dr. Seuss songs – it was totally adorable. 

Sophie’s class was divided into birds and flowers. Here’s Sophie as a bird standing behind her flower. 

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The girls had their last day of school on June 10th. Sophie finished Kindergarten and Lauren finished the Toddler House. 
The girls before their last day of school. 
Sophie on her first day and last day at Greene Towne Montessori School
The school had a great ceremony, held at Moore College of Art and Design, down the street from GTMS. All of the Kindergarteners sang songs and then each was called down to shake their teacher’s hand and receive a sunflower.
Here’s Sophie getting her sunflower from her teacher, Mrs. Dhar.
The proud graduate.

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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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In May the ULYC had their bi-annual regatta in Maryland. Sophie has been crew with Dave a few times in the past, but this is the first time that Lauren and I joined them. It was a gorgeous day and turned out to be a lot of fun. Our friends John, Crystal and their daughter Bella joined us as well, along with Kathy and Dave. 
Sophie at the helm. Dave always lets her steer over the finish line. Unfortunately for her, this is the first race where she didn’t come in first (and a 3rd place finish at that!). 

Lauren and Bella doing “boat babes”

All four of us afterward at the post-regatta party. 

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This past weekend we took a day trip to NYC to see some America’s Cup racing. The boats are currently on a promotional tour around the world to promote the big race in Bermuda this summer. Unfortunately of the two days of racing they had in NYC we were there for the one that was delayed for weather. They ended up only getting one race it, but it was still cool to see. 
The American team on Oracle, Japanese team behind them
Keeping with the nautical theme we went to the Seaport Museum and toured their boat, anchored in the harbor. We let the girls get gummy candy, and Lauren is apparently unable to break her hand away long enough to take this picture.

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