Myrtle Beach

We had a great trip to South Carolina.  We visited a petting zoo (sure, there were camels, tigers, lions, and monkeys, but most exciting were the GOATS), a bouncy castle, a playground, a water park, an aquarium, and a children's museum, and we went to the pool every day.  Yes, there was a beach too, but C&C pronounced the beach "bad" because the pebbles cut their feet. 

 

At the children's museum, Claire enjoyed the opportunity to acquire a bit of managerial experience:

Happy Father's Day!!

Happy Father's Day, to a fantastic Daddy, husband, and all-around-great Guy!  Happy Father's Day also to the grandfathers: Eric, Geoff, and David.  We love you!!

Summertime!

The pool is open, Nana and Grandad are here, and we're about to head to the beach.  Ignore the calendar - summer is now here!  We've been having a great time as a family, and we've probably spent more time at the pool already this year than we did in 2012. 

Nana and Grandad have earned a VIP ticket to heaven - they looked after all three girls for 24 hours whilst Mummy and Daddy went to Philadelphia to tour the neighborhoods around GSK's other US site.  Apparently the girls were "little angels."  Mummy and Daddy are skeptical of the description, but deeply grateful.

 

 Louise's last day of Kindergarten (yes! already! we can't believe it either!) finished by 10:55.  The 5th graders (10 & 11 year olds) exited the building for the last time, accompanied by music and high-fives from younger pupils.  Louise will miss school, but she's delighted by what she's accomplished this year: "I see words I can read everywhere now!  And when we're at the beach, should I read 10 books a day?  Is that too many?"

Hogg Days

It's that time of year again - Hogg Day in Hillsborough!  The girls enjoyed bouncing, being painted, listening to music, and doing gymnastics next to their beloved River Walk. 

They also might have made their television debut:

In other news, Charlotte received a green light from the orthopaedist - she is free to engage in whatever reckless activity her four-year-old heart desires.  (Fortunately for us, her heart's desires tend to be rather less reckless than the desires of her sisters' hearts).

Louise received complements from teachers for her outfit for "Who Am I?" day at school:

Happy Mother's Day!

Last weekend, whilst Mummy was away, Daddy looked after 3 of his own children, whichever neighbour children happened to pop by, and...18 baby chickens.  Perhaps for his next trick he'll open a farm.  We did have an intriguing conversation at Weaver Street Market this morning with a lovely family that keeps cattle...
 
On Saturday, the postal service picked up paper bags full of food for Stamp Out Hunger.  
Charlotte: "Why do people have paper bags by their mailboxes?" 
They're giving food to people who don't have enough to eat. 
"Like the grandparents?"
Umm... 
"You know, so they won't have to eat sheep anymore."

Today we celebrated Mother's Day.  Mummy has been rather sad, missing her Mummy, but the girls and Daddy were generous and delightful.  There was a bouquet of flowers, hand-painted windchimes, three sets of handprints, a book, and poetry. We then went for a walk at Gold Park, where intrepid explorer Louise boldly charted only-lightly-trodden paths to the river's edge.