A Look Back at July

Every month I email the grandparents a set of pictures from the previous month. As I look back on all the fun we've had I think that I really should post more of this stuff on the blog as a family scrapbook of sorts. I know it is the end of August, but since July had some significant events, I wanted to go back and start with last month.

 

We returned from vacation at the beginning of this month and a couple days after Andy returned to work he got a four-day weekend for 4th of July. I never got pictures of the kids in their July 4th outfits, but trust me, they were cute. I can't remember what we did that day, but I made a dinner and dessert that Andy thought was ridiculously awesome. And the evening ended with a favorite memory. We turned on the TV to watch the fireworks show and danced and marched around the living room with the kids. They had a great time and Philip asked for more fireworks for days after. Even just this past week there was a day when he was continually asking to watch fireworks on TV. That weekend we took a day trip to Pennsylvania for a party for a friend who was made a Monsignor.

Totally unrelated photos:

Spreading birdseed by hand

Earlier in the year he would throw birdseed in the air

and call out "Birds!" hoping they would come get it.

In a special dress Grandma picked out. Love this baby face.

And this face too

Philip celebrated his 3rd birthday in July. Fittingly, we had three celebrations for him. We celebrated with Daddy the night before because Andy had to leave on a trip early the next morning. We had Philip's birthday dinner which he obviously wiped all over his shirt. Then he excitedly opened his presents and we enjoyed cake before shuttling the kids off to bed way too late.

The next day was Philip's real birthday and I took him to Chuck E Cheese for the first time. It was a bit overwhelming for him, but he pulled through and overall we had a good time. The next day he wanted to go back, so I count that as a success. We continued the celebration at home with a few tiny bonus gifts and cards.

That evening when he opened up a birthday card,

he pulled out the cash that was enclosed and exclaimed, "Tickets!"

And what was so important that Andy had to leave town on Philip's birthday? Well, he "had" to go to World Youth Day for work. He was in Rio for about a week and a half. It was his first World Youth Day and all went well. He said the Pope was impressive and great at carrying on a dialogue back-and-forth with the pilgrims. His hotel was right on Copacabana Beach, so he had easy access to the major events and even watched some of them from the rooftop. Fun Fact of the Day: There was a record rainfall during WYD and it flooded the area where the closing Vigil and Mass were supposed to be held. While inspecting the site, they found four crocodiles - good call moving the events to the beach!

Good morning, Jesus!

 

What 3.2 million people looks like

 

A taste of the excitement

While Andy was away, my parents came for a visit. What a huge help they were! They cooked, cleaned, entertained, did projects around the house, took me shopping, and provided some adult conversation. We had a great time together. Here are some highlights from their visit:

My Mom made this cute little number for Julia

 

Philip's third birthday celebration was with Grandma and Grandpa. Here he is with the new motorized train he got from them. He had to try it out right away!

It was so nice to have someone to watch Philip

for me so I could go on a few runs during the day

One day we went to an area library that has basically a free children's museum.

It was great fun!

 

Of course, Philip's favorite part was the train table

 

We went to a favorite park one day...

 

and had a picnic. Julia decided she wanted to eat her lunch on the picnic table.

 

Water balloons with Grandpa

Julia had a practice birthday party

 

 

 

 She is definitely a cake fan

 

My parents with Philip and his beloved Gummy Worms.

He has been hooked since we took him to an ice cream shop

and got him a dirt and worms sundae earlier this summer.

Andy returned home at the end of the month and it was great to work our way back to normal again.  He took a day off to recover and reconnect and we went to a new-to-us park. It had a small farm, merry-go-round, miniature golf, and train ride. We didn't even get to the playground because we were having so much fun! It was a great way to end such an exciting month.