End of Summer

The end of summer and our last official days at Fairview were marked by:

• Matthew going down the water slide (but not for the camera!)
• Champs at UVA's Aquatic Center - Andrew was incredibly proud to be his heat winner in freestyle, shaving a full EIGHT seconds off of his PR. 26
• The JSL Champs party - what a hoot Matthew was!
• Margaret and Andrew getting their first taste of synchronized swimming (who knew how intriguing that would be!)
• Mom's age group victory of the annual Fairview 5k run
• VBS
• Matthew crawling out of his crib - NOOOO!!!
• and of course a Labor Day trip to Baltimore for the Vogel's annual Colts and Crabs.

Grandma and all but one of her babies.

The whole crew, minus David who is at Coastal Caroline now.

Last away meet - cheers before decidedly bringing down our biggest rival, Crozet.

Someone has to teach you about Klondike bars.

Maybe if I let him dangle uncomfortably long enough he will finally. stop. getting. on. the. table!

Helping JJ coach after the 5K run.

 

Mommy's race shirt.  Guess who won her age group???

Champs at UVA!  What an amazing venue and meet.  Seeded middle of the pack, Andrew WON his heat in freestyle, squashing his previous PR by 8 seconds!

She looks comfy.  He's just gonna fill her up with gas.

Leading the crew in VBS songs.

 Newest lifeguard in the family - never too early for anything at Fairview!

I've got the tub to myself!

 

Watching her first synchronized swimming show...with her favorite person.

No mistaking that ground hog on the way home, but I was relieved since the kids had shouted that there was a bear next to us. 

Yep, two days before school started (when I have to leave the kids during nap to go to the bus stop, Little Man started climbing out of his crib:(  He first fell out around 12 months.  A one time deal that scared him, I swore the next time would be the last time.  But I've watched him throw one leg over and then carefully lower the rest of his body to the ground.  It's quite safe, so I can't possibly justify a crib at just 19 months when his safety is not in jeopardy.  

Cavman's crew gives you free tix (and shirts, evidently).  Daddy is thrilled!  

My new pink rocking chair - Thanks, Lily!

For the love of God, I do not possibly know what sort of self destruction I may be capable of if this 20 month old---who is FINALLY down to binky at crib and carseat only---starts sucking his thumb!!!

One of my favorite dresses hand made by the original Dody!  Perfect for the bus stop.  Why not?

 Swim team banquet

Chillin' with Gracie

First trophy and 3, 2,1 = broken trophy!

Heat winner ribbons from Champs are pretty cool!

Thanks to Mom, I managed to plant and keep alive flowers on the deck ALL summer for the first time!

Colts & Crabs

Written by Phillip to Susan....Susan and Carol's friend from their trip to South America. He came over from England to visit Carol and joined us for his first Crab!

"It was lovely to see you again; hard to believe I was really there.

Attached are a couple of photos and below an extract from my journal;

'Susan's grandson Matthew, under two I suspect, youngest of three, is totally self sufficient and entertains himself for 4 hours with no whingeing, shouting or crying. Two plastic toy  lawnmowers are pushed endlessly around the garden interspersed with times when they are boy-handled up and down a flight of three stone steps, the lawn mowers are nearly as big as him. At various times one of his shoes is missing and he has food in his hand or on his shirt. Mimicking grown ups he opens the cool box and takes out a beer; he's a bundle of fun!'

Best wishes,

Philip"

Colts and Crabs = all about picking crabs with Grandma...

...and drinkin' beer with the men.