Because a Short Update is Better Than No Update at All…

Right?

I confess, it’s been hard to update regularly, even though there are lots of delicious Lily tidbits I want to share. I’m trying hard to rest and recharge after an exhausting winter/spring, and as a result, I’m spending far less time at the computer. I do want to get back in the swing of posting more regular updates, so keep checking back in, okay?

Lily’s school ended in early June, and we’ve been slowly easing into summer. Now that the weather is warm (and finally dry), we’re back to taking long walks around town every morning. Lily has rediscovered the splash fountain at Binns Park with renewed zeal this summer. She loves the water and is not at all afraid to get wet. Nor is she so intimidated by the rambunctious big kids this year. Oh, and get a load of those long, lanky legs! The girl has been growing like a weed this spring.







We have not yet been to the public pool, but we did get a small wading pool for the backyard (which is in the middle of a complete renovation, but that’s another post--one in which Lily discovers the joys of getting naked and getting covered head-to-toe in dirt/sand/mulch/grass). Lily’s favorite pool-related activities are dunking her head (see what I mean, no fear!) and dumping mulch, sand, and any other contraband material she can sneak into the pool.

Lily also had her very first birthday party experience, thanks to cousin Grace who just celebrated her 4th birthday. Happy Birthday, dear Grace!!! Lily was so excited and practiced singing the happy birthday song to her cousin for days before the actual event. And when asked what she wanted to get Grace for her birthday, she quickly replied “SOAP!” (you see, one of Lily’s favorite shops in downtown Lancaster sells the most adorable handmade soaps with brightly-colored whimsical designs, and she regularly goes there with Daddy to carefully peruse and pick out her next bar of bath soap. And so she decided she wanted to share the delights of this beloved soap with her cousin). The party was held at a Gymboree in Philly, which, given the unending wet weather that week, was a brilliant choice. The kids yelled and jumped and ran and otherwise burned off all the energy they had been storing up, having all been housebound for countless rainy days. Lily had a blast, and for the entire next week she asked every day if she could go back and visit again with cousin Grace.


Grace, the birthday girl, with her birthday cake that was every bit as delicious as it was beautiful.


Lily especially had fun climbing into every object and aparatus that could conceivably contain a toddler.


See what I mean?


Scores of little kid-cookies about to get flattened by a ginormous rolling pin.


I'm sure if you had been listening closely you would have heard Lily singing her favorite song, "Row, row, row your boat."


Lily perfecting that time-honored social grace: the thumb-in-the-mouth/finger-up-the-nose trick.