Lots of Climbing (+ monkey bar video)

Here are the habits we bring back from the visits to cousins' houses...

Funny enough, that skill was actually taught by Grandma to her kids and then passed along from parents to children, old cousins to young. It was Will who infected this Dryden household.

But climbing is in their blood anyway. Clara does trees and monkey bars and anything else she can surmount. Hattie is quickly catching up.

But sometimes she just doesn't feel like she can hang...

Dancing the Night Away at Cousin Samantha's Wedding (with video)

They were married in Hawaii, but brought the party back to Virginia for others to participate. Cousin Samantha and Wesley hosted the first wedding reception our girls have ever attended. And they loved the dancing, cake and kissing! 

A highlight was meeting little cousin Gio for the first time...

 

Vacation Bible School 2015 (+ video)

Monkey Jumping on a Bed: Hattie's First Night in a Hotel Room (with video)

We went up to Virigina for cousin Sam's wedding to Wesley. Clara crashed with her cousins in BV for the night, which meant had was solo with Daddy and Mama in the hotel room and at breakfast the next morning.

She loved the two-on-one attention, and she loved jumping on the beds!

Father's Day 2015

We celebrated our AWESOME Daddy with a wonderful day at the pool!

Clara Dives Off Diving Board and Underwater (+ Video)

After the fact, Clara tells Daddy that she tried extra hard because she knew he was video taping.  The feat? Diving off the diving board and swimming the length of the deep end under water, popping up for a breath only after crossing under the rope.

Clara Pushes Hattie All the Way to North Hills

It's a long-long hill from our house to North Hills. Almost half a mile. It's the hill that Kate and Paul run for the occasional interval training session.

Hattie has walked it a few times, but prefers the comforts of the stroller. This morning, Clara took it on herself to push that stroller (Hattie and all) all the way up the hill. And she did it!

(Sure made for an easy morning for Daddy!)

First Swim Meet of Summer and Clara's Green Ribbon (w/ video)

1st swim meet of summer, and we have the breast stroke heat winner for 6 and unders! Her secret? Game time decision to dive in rather than jump.

Hattie's Sleeping Game

One of Hattie's favorite new games is tricking people into thinking she's asleep...

Lake Weekend

The girls headed down to South Carolina for another lake weekend, something reaching annual event status. The Bakers hosted and we were joined by the Ryans and Feragutos from church.

Clara's Last Day of Kindergarten

What a fun end to a wonderful Kindergarten year at Douglas Elementary!  Clara won yet another award (this time for "Being an Awesome Student Every Single Day!"), followed by her class party with watermelon, popsicles, and water balloons.  Ga and PapPaw were even in town to join the festivities.  Mommy loved being a Room Parent and was able to volunteer in the classroom weekly.  Most importantly, Clara loved learning to read.  She is now reading chapter books!  Mrs. Boyd and Mrs. O were wonderful teachers.  We can't wait for 1st Grade!

Clara, Mason, Hattie & Lucy Ann 

Clara with Mrs. O and Mrs. Boyd