Another awesome trip out east to visit our friends Julie and Monty and kids, this year over the Fourth of July holiday. Here are a couple photo highlights from the trip.

Playing Labyrinth Lord (aka old-school D&D) on the train out to D.C..

Having breakfast on the dinner car of the train while going through the gorgeous hills of Pennsylvania.

Getting a personal tour of the capital, including a tour of the speaker's office.

View from the Speaker's balcony.

Capital's dome.

I always seem to try some new type of food while hanging out with Julie, this time it was ceviche. Julie used Bloody Mary mix as the marinade and it was incredible. I also learned how to shuck oysters from Monty :)

And here's a couple of kids that are sad we're going home... Always feels too soon.

For a ton more pics, check Kel's blog:

• East Coast 1 – Getting There
• East Coast 2 – Capitol Tour
• East Coast 3 – The Beach
• East Coast 4 – Poolside
• East Coast 5 – The Fourth of July

Bug and Sparkle recently fell in love with ballet dancing. They really enjoy the Angelina Ballerina books and videos and I think that was what really turned them on to it. Tonight, Jeremiah took them to a local ballet recital. I wasn't sure how it would go and told him that they could leave early or at intermission, but I wanted him to have the opportunity to take the girls to do something special just with him. I did get a call at intermission - to tell me that they were blown away and were staying for more. When they got home � a full three hours after they left, both girls were talking constantly and excitedly to me trying to explain what they saw. They explained to me how the theatre seat bottom went up and down, how they had to use the boys' restroom and Daddy made them close their eyes, how there were dancers like Angelina and dancers whose shoes clicked, how some of the dances had many many people, some were children with their dads, and some were only children. Bug danced by herself in her seat most of the night. I also heard a lot about the start of the show - how they had to sit quietly, then the lights when off, the curtain opened, and the dancing started. Or, as Bug said with lots of animation, hand motions, and literally at least twenty times, "Mama � first sit dow-en...shhh...quiet...then open and... DANCING!"

The term "playdate" has always annoyed me for some reason, so I won't use it here. But the girls went over to Irmao and Wendim's house and played with other kids for the first time since they got to the US. Overall, I think it went pretty well. Bug was a bit pouty and shy at first, Sunshine was somewhat cranky most of the time (but particularly when I decided to be done with the swings), and they were all a bit quiet and reserved while we were there, but everyone was enthusiastic talking about the fun they had for the ten minutes they were awake in the car on the way home, and asked when they could come play with Wendim and Irmao again. The boys were charming and the kids got along well, but I think this may have helped too: We have nothing but a one car driveway for the girls to ride trikes on and even that is a lumpy mess we can't afford to replace - so this was a dream come true for the kids. Then comes the kicker: Not only was this bike just naturally super cool, Sparkle had just seen a bike like this for the first time the day before, and her jaw had literally dropped in awe. Her mom is too chicken to ride it herself (I am not that great at keeping myself upright on a bicycle, let alone another human being) so I slacked, stood around, and took pictures while our gracious host took a spin and instantly won the bonus round in Sparkle's book. Our hero J was inside installing a garbage disposal, but he took a break to take her for a spin as well: Thanks, D!

We were blessed with some pretty amazing weather this weekend. J's parents came up for the afternoon on Saturday. Not only did they help out with the kids and the housework, but Janice also took some pretty amazing pics at the park. Here is a sampling:

I can't expect to go grocery shopping with the three kids in tow quite yet, so now I save that job for Saturday mornings and bring along one child. It gives me a nice opportunity for some one on one time with that child as well, and they each seem to look forward to their turn. This past Saturday was Sparkle's turn, so J stayed home with Bug and Sunshine. They used their quality time together to built a blanket fort/ playhouse which has gotten lots of play since then: Here is one of Bug and Sunshine inside their playhouse, hugging and tickling each other:

I wish I had some fun swimming pics to match the title, but unfortunately I don't. We went to stay at a local hotel with a kiddie pool and a waterslide last weekend, and the girls all had a blast. Joel even came along to help watch the kids, but we found even with an even ratio of adults to kids we were pretty busy with the supervision part of the job and couldn't spare a grown up to be our photographer. However, the girls loved it enough that we have already decided to get a family summer pass to a local pool, and enroll all the kids in swimming lessons too. This week we also went to Target and let each girl pick out goggles and a lifejacket. Bug chose Barbie everything. Sparkle chose a Barbie lifejacket and practical green goggles. Sunshine got Dora everything. Bug just loves her goggles and has worn them whenever she can since. She also wore the lifejacket most of the morning today. Here she is looking very cool in the goggles and a handmedown coat she discovered and decided she loves as well: Sunshine saw her goggles and grabbed the nearest pair of sunglasses she could find :) Speaking of Sunshine, this one is OT but a great one of our baby's trademark smile:

More photos of our life with three girls: Fun with glitter make-up (and left-over easter egg stickers)...a huge hit: Bug's infamous pout face (which we are already seeing less and less): And...(drumroll please)...Sparkle's first day of school! Here we are getting ready on the day we went for our visit and tour where she met her class for the first time: And here she is before her first "real" day at school: We were all a bit nervous but she is doing great at school and seems to enjoy it so far. Bug was a little sad she didn't get to go too, so we all ended up going together to drop her off at her classroom. Here they are together: And here is a pic of the two youngest at home sharing a snack and a smooch while their big sis is away at school: And finally, a pic Sparkle took of her baby sister:

I swear I�ll get some stuff up here eventually about our time in Ethiopia � I just need some time to breathe and get my bearings! Ok, the truth is the kids are great but they are keeping three adults very busy and I am terrified of that shrinking adult to child ratio � so maybe I should make no promises.

Anyway, here are a few pics from the past few days � our first five at home together.

Playing with new legos:

Sparkle styling Sunshine�s hair:

Reading a bedtime story:

Making beautiful jewelry:

Mommy styling Bug�s hair:

And playing at the park:

If you have any brain waves to spare today, please send them in Jeremiah's direction. He is sitting for Actuarial Exam #6 this morning...