Pets and birthdays and swimming and pirates

Lizzy’s pet-sitting business is still in operation.

Some clients from last month

Caleb celebrated a birthday, turning 12, which is the closest I’ll ever come to having four teenagers at once.

Ada finished quilting a blanket for a friend’s baby shower, which turned out beautiful.  

Lizzy swam in the champs swim meet the day after VBS ended. It was impressive she could still do anything—especially since the next day she headed off to camp for a week with a friend.

Two days after Lizzy got back from camp, we headed out to visit the family.

Nostalgia Night, wherein Nana challenges the grandchildren to identify their own baby pictures.

Uncle Doug called all pirates to gather for a treasure hunt.

I had the soundtrack from Clue running through my head the whole time I was watching them run back and forth on the scavenger hunt.

At last they located and dug up the treasure—$2.60 in small coins and a well-sealed soda bottle planted by a forward-looking older cousin last year.

Caleb couldn’t open it.

Natalie couldn’t open it.

Kevin couldn’t open it.

Evie couldn’t open it.

Only Nana,

the truest pirate of them all,

could open it.

Inside was a map of the property and a random local brochure. Arrrrr!

The next day we kayaked and swam in the river 

before heading home.

Lizzy got in a couple more quick gigs before school started. Below, another pair of satisfied clients.