Summer's in full swing over here!

 Another month has come and gone in 2021 and can you believe it's JULY??! Wow. Where does the time go? If you're us this is where it went:

• Playing with cousins.
• Learning to ride a bike.

  

  Finley finally got the hang of pedaling!

  
  
• Swimming!
• Running errands and eating more American fast food.
• Playing in the rain.
  
  
  
• Creative play.
• Having a friend playdate (finally) with friends from Reston.
• Doctor's visits (Finley had a lingering runny nose from a cold. She's fine.)

  

  They both did great. It was a very long day.

  
  
• Hanging out with family.

  

  Doing some Yoga with Grandma H.

  
  
• Paraguay Reunion!

  

  These are my people. You develop a deep connection with those you live overseas with.

  
  
• Going to church. In person! Which we've done once since March 2020 so that is crazy.
• Ice Cream road trips.

  

  Our first time at Swirlies near the Manassas Airport.

  
  
• Crushing the Harry Potter quiz on Alexa (cuz I be a nerd like that). 
• Learning to play the piano!

  

  Grandma is her teacher and most of the lessons have
  happened while M is still in her pjs.

  
  
• Talking up a storm.

  

  Happy little Elsa.

• Playground adventures and scavenger hunts.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Watching movies in the Theater Room. (We've seen Raya and the Last Dragon and Luca. We recommend both.)
• And so much more!

Scott is settling into bachelor-style living and he admits its boring. We all miss each other and it's still a while yet until we'll be re-united. But since we are separated we've been taking a lot more pictures of the silly little things so, you're welcome.

The Mackenzie Update:

• She is just about the bravest little girl you've ever met. We'll be at the playground and she'll immediately made a friend. The other day at the Ashburn pool she asked if she could play with someone and I said she'd have to make a friend. She scouted the pool, selected a little girl about her age and swam over. They were playing in seconds.
• She was acting out a lot the past few weeks. So we came up with a cotton ball reward system and it's going pretty well.

The Finley Report:

• Biggest thing is she's talking! She's jumped to full sentences and the words are mostly intelligible. My favorite word though has to be how she says her sister's name: "Ackenssie". It's no longer "Sis".
• We thought the improved verbal communication would help with certain behavioral issues. Nope. She is hitting and pushing. And whining. A lot. Can't wait for this phase to be over.

Thanks for sticking with us and this new blog format we've been publishing this year. It's really working for me so we'll probably keep it up. 

Have a safe summer everyone!