Kicking off Summer

We are one week into summer, and we have already checked off TWO of our to-do list items. Last Sunday, we picked up lunch for a picnic and headed to Quarry Park to explore. The weather was perfect for being outdoors, and with the paved path, we were able to easily maneuver with Eli in the stroller. There is a large metal structure that gives a beautiful view of the quarry and the water below. Quarry Park: check!

Boomer has four-day work weeks during the month of June, and with his day off on Friday, we went to Luna's Trail, another to-do list item. Luna's Trail is a farm and event center in Westfield, and the property is open to the public. We parked near the main venue building and walked along the trail to a covered bridge and another small bridge over a creek bed. Emmy loved throwing rocks into the water. After exploring for a bit, we finished off our outing with lunch at the restaurant on the property, called Big Creek Lodge. We ate on the outdoor patio, and it was our first time eating at a restaurant since March! The pimento cheese BLT was delicious; I'd also recommend the pizza, based on the bites I had of Boomer's :)  Luna's Trail: check! 

Although it was not on the Kennedy Summer To-Do List, we fit in another fun adventure on Saturday when we went strawberry picking at Hedgecock Farms, a farm just over the Davidson County line. Not knowing that strawberry season started in April, we went on the very last day that they were open to the public. There was still a good amount of strawberries, which Boomer and Emmy picked while Eli and I supervised. Once we got home, Emmy helped me make a cobbler with our just-picked strawberries. Next year we will know to go earlier so that we can have fresh strawberries throughout the spring. 

During the weekdays, I am still mostly solo with the kids. Our time at home together during COVID-19 has polished up my efficiency during meals and my multitasking during other busy moments of the day. However, we have rarely gone anywhere, so it is still relatively new territory to go on an outing when I am outnumbered. Twice this week, I am happy to report that we managed to get loaded in the car and off to our destination - and on time, might I add! One outing was a playdate with our friends Stephanie and Lyla. We enjoyed a walk at Reynolda Gardens, with some excitement seeing a turtle and then Lyla going off-course on her bike down a pretty steep hill. A tree stopped her, and luckily there were only minor bumps and bruises and then a rash that popped up from the plants that caught her fall. Thank goodness she was wearing her helmet! Hopefully our next outing with the Beuters will be less eventful!

When Boomer arrives home in the evenings, we love telling him about our day. Emmy has become quite a storyteller. She will sometimes look to me to fill in any gaps, but she can otherwise carry the conversation while Boomer and I stifle our laughter. She certainly keeps us entertained. After dinner, we have been getting outdoors for our neighborhood walks. We have also done chalk in the driveway or bubbles in the backyard. Emmy especially loved the evening we went over to her cousins' house to play in their splash pad. Aunt Megan had thoughtfully bought Emmy her own water gun so that she could keep up with the boys. They have the funnest things at the Houston house! On another evening, we met the Houstons and the Williamses for dinner at 4th of July Park where all the kiddos had fun playing in the creek. 

Just as soon as I wrote that Eli was not rolling over yet, he finally did. And unfortunately, we missed it! Boomer, Emmy, and I were nearby in the kitchen when we looked over to find Eli on his belly, when he was previously on his back. I snapped this photo after the fact. You'll have to excuse the mess of his big sister - although Eli is quite motivated to reach her toys as he now rolls from back to front and front to back. He is getting stronger each day and able to balance sitting for longer periods. Eli also tried his first baby food: sweet potatoes! He made a few funny faces when swallowing, but he otherwise was very interested. What a big boy! We also had our first discussion this week about the differences between boys and girls. During one of Eli's diaper changes, Emmy was watching closely, and the conversation went something like this: 

Emmy: "What is that?"

Me: "What is what?"

Emmy: "What is that....piece?" 

The only thing I could come up with in the moment was "Well, that is what makes Eli a boy." She seemed satisfied with that answer, which is ironic because she is definitely in the "Why?" stage right now. I am preparing myself for more conversations to come in the future!

While little brother Eli is trying new foods and rolling over, Emmy got a new helmet from Grammy and Grandpa! Soon we plan to try out the balance bike from her cousins, and if we learned anything from Lyla's incident this week, a helmet is necessary. Thank you, Grammy and Grandpa!