Sweet Summertime!

It's the beginning of my 6 glorious weeks of SAHM-ing it (SAHM = Stay-At-Home-Mom) for those not in the FaceBook acronym know. I don't know quite how Allie feels about it (she sure does love her teachers and friends at daycare), but I'm very excited to get to spend more time with our girl. Week one (ish) is in the books and I've already lost count of our wagon-rides with Abby, which are requested as 'WALK? WALK?' but strangely enough, Abby and I do most of the walking. We're settling into a fun routine, although it often starts earlier than I would like, and the recent studies touting the benefits of caffeine have twisted my arm to add a cup of high test to my morning breakfast and I feel certain that all are better off because of it.

Here are a few highlights of the Eicholtz Family warming up to summer...

One hot Saturday, we went to a local firestation's safety open house and she picked up some new headware, but honestly, I'm not sure the roads are safer now than before...

Steer clear, folks.

We have a flip! (Look closely on the side :o)

Enter, the official footgear of summer...CROCS!
The smile is courtesy of  looking at pictures of herself on the phone...oh brother.

We celebrated a milestone in the family with the retirement of Barb, ('Grammy to Allie'), after 13 years as mission director of Centreville United Methodist Church. To help celebrate, my parents came in from North Carolina and the church held a reception in her honor after services. Fortunately, it worked out that our niece Alice celebrated an early birthday party for her big 0-1 that same weekend. It was definitely a great way to kick off the summer.

Grandpa, this is called a Blackberry. I'm usually an IPhone Girl, but let me show you a few tricks. 

Yes, you're growing quite nicely, little Alice. Happy Birthday, cuz.

Take me THERE, driver Tim.

I'm sorry, did you want some of this?

If you want to talk Summer, she's all ears.

One guess who chose the seats at breakfast.

So many Grandparents in one place! Happy Retirement, Grammy!

Family Photo in front of the quilt for Barb that was hand-made with love from the CUMC staff. 

Back at the Shaiko residence, we kept the celebration going. Nothing says 'Happy Retirement, Grammy!' like Mr. Potato Head and bubbles, of course...

Like I said...all ears.

No seriously, the bunny was THIS BIG! (She may have inherited her Grandpa's talent for 'embellishment.')

Grandpop and I can chill with the best of them.

What do you mean we can only do this for 2 hours?

Happy Retirement, Grammy...more bubbles, please.

And this past weekend, we had a cameo appearance from one, Sara D. Jones! She's already winning over our girl with chocolate chip cookies...smart Jones, very smart.

There's nothing in my hand, what are you talking about, Mommy?

And with our hot, hot start to the summer, we spent possibly the best $30 bucks we have in a while on a water table that JUST fits on our back 'deck.' HUGE hit! Only problem now is trying to convince her that every minute is not the right minute for 'WATAH? WATAH?'

Water fun in her skivvies and Crocs (and lots of SPF for our little  Casper).

Abs appreciated the new addition as well.

And Allie was taking a few notes from her big sis.

And just in case water fun on the deck didn't scream 'SUMMER,' Allie and Sarah took their parents (that would be us and Celeste and Shawn Buehler) on a family trip to the National Zoo in DC. When she wasn't catching zzz's in her stroller, she loved it.

WOAH!

Checking out the lions from the kiddie-cage...'Let me at 'em!'

Who knew the zoo had a petting zoo? Our local DC tour-guides, the Buehlers, did.

HEY! FISH! HELLO!

Good thing admission is free, considering the puddles were ALMOST as much fun for Allie as the animals. 

Sarah, keeping her parents calm and cool in the DC summer heat.

And Allie, unconcerned with the coolness of her parents (good thing, Al).