Father's day

Emilia’s top 10 reasons why she loves her daddy: 10. He pushes me WAAAY higher in the swing than mommy would ever push me and tosses me around, even right after I eat!

9. He has broadened my shopping horizons to include favorites such as Home Depot, Lowes, Bass Pro Shop and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

8. He gave me my unique singing ability, complete with the propensity to make up words and sing totally off key.

7. He’s working extra hard right now to convert our basement into a play area for me and my baby sister. Yes! My plan for total house domination is slowing coming true.

6. He’s the reason I have sweet dreams at night after he gives me a bath, reads me my favorite books and prays with me before tucking me in.

5. He’s generally on the same sleeping schedule as me – taking afternoon naps on the weekend and starting to quickly fade after dinner (“Daddy tired. Mia tired.”)

4. He gave me my insatiable appetite and introduced me to all of the important food groups, including an array of salsas and other condiments. He can go toe-to-toe with me when it comes to snagging as many Costco samples in one shopping trip as possible.

3. He teaches me important lessons about which lure to use in various fishing conditions and how the NASCAR Sprint Cup scoring system works.

2. He’s the funny one who’s always telling jokes. Not like that stuffy mommy.

1. He loves me, and I know that because he tells me and shows me all the time!

Happy father’s day, daddy!

“aw mon u”

-Mia

Opening presents this morning...

Sending wishes from the top of the ferris wheel today...

Happy father's day to our dads, too!

"Gammy" goes home

Emilia was so sad to say goodbye to Grammy this evening. She had such a blast with her all week. Thanks, "Gammy!"

Rides, slides and tunes

After church this morning we went to the Alexandria Waterfront Festival.
Emilia rode some rides...including her favorite, the horsies...and she found a new ride of choice, the big slide...




We even got to hear a "music band," Rocknoceros. It was a Father's Day activity that we all enjoyed!

Happy day day, Laura

"Baby Laura" is a baby no more. Next week she turns one (the same day as not-a-baby-anymore-either Henry). We raced from swimming lessons to Laura's first birthday party. Here is the happy Hill family celebrating:Emilia and Nathan were taking turns giving each other big hugs:
Laura goes to town on her beautiful cake while helpful big sister Clara makes sure she has her special hat on:And all of the kids launched an impromptu series of ring around the rosie:

Splish splash

Saturday was Emilia's first swimming lesson this season at the Reston Community Center. Her last class was more than a year ago, but it took no time for her to warm up and get used to the water again. This will be a great activity for us this summer.

Staycation with Grammy

Since Grammy has been here this week, Emilia has had her own little "staycation." She wasted no time in getting Grammy warmed up for a busy week of nonstop playing. Here she is showing Grammy some of her favorite toys.

On Monday they walked to our neighborhood playground.

On Tuesday they went to Sport Bounce.

On Wednesday, they went to Dulles Town Center to ride the horsies and the train.

On Thursday, they went to Frying Pan Farm Park.

On Friday, they went to gymnastics class and Clemyjontri Park.

Then, we met up for dinner at Sweetwater on Friday night.
Whew! I'm exhausted just seeing all they did this week!

Slides and swings

The picnic wore Emilia out, but after a very long nap, Emilia woke up in time for a quick trip to the Haley M. Smith playground in Herndon.

Church picnic

Sunday afternoon was a beautiful day for our church’s BBQ. Susie in our small group was very involved in putting on this huge event. There were hundreds of people there and it had a little something for everyone.

Emilia had a great time in the bounce house… …and meeting some new animal friends. This one even caught her by surprise... We were out of town when this picnic took place last year, so we were happy to be able to make it this year.

Special delivery

On Saturday late afternoon, Grammy arrived! Emilia was very excited to pick Grammy up at the airport, and even more excited when Grammy bought her a balloon and daddy let her “ride” on Grammy’s luggage. She was gearing up for a great week with Grammy!

“Cut the bangs”

Emilia’s hair has been out of control lately. It grows completely forward and she ends up looking like a shaggy dog. Even she had noticed this and had been walking around saying “Mia cut the bangs.” After gymnastics on Saturday morning, we tried Eclips kids in Ashburn to clean her up. She was very still during the process, as usual, and got a great cut. She looks more and more like a little girl with every trim!

Take us out to the ballgame

Last week, my dad turned 60!

We had sent pretty lame birthday wishes his way to save up for the big surprise that was to come. On Sunday, we met up with a group of my parents' friends at the Wilmington Blue Rocks baseball game in Delaware and surprised my dad! Mom and Corey planned the party and Kyle arranged for a suite, announcements to wish my dad a happy birthday on screen and some goody bags, since this is the team he works for. Dad was pretty surprised when he opened the door to the suite and Kyle did a great job behind all of the video for the game.

The team lost, but it was a gorgeous afternoon for a ballgame.

Emilia loved entertaining the guests, but she did not love Rocky, the mascot. In fact, she was pretty belligerent with him, the poor blue moose.

After the game, we went to dinner on the riverfront. Emilia -- without a nap all day long (first time in 22 months) -- was still going strong...

...until five minutes into the car ride home.

It was a great day and a great way to celebrate our WONDERFUL DAD!