Kara's Quince

We were invited to celebrate Kara's Quinceañera with her!  It's a special ceremony for 15 year old girls in most Spanish speaking countries.  Since I have to teach about them in school, I was glad to get to see one in  person.  It's kind of like a "coming of age" ceremony, but is elaborate like a wedding.  There is a church mass (it was ay Holy Trinity where we got married) followed by a reception with food/dancing.  Charlotte was even a "dama", so she got to dress up and participate.  She was adorable; I couldn't take enough pics.  Lucas wore Uncle Matt's old suit, but chose not to participate in the ceremony.  Lydia was a quiet angel during mass.  It was a good time, even though we left the party halfway through to get Lydia to bed...  It's hard to believe I met Kara when she was 5!!!

Solid Food

Lydia began cereal at 4 months and was loving it...  I planned to start her on fruits/veggies at 6 months just like the other 2 kids.  Well, we ended up starting around 5 months and a week.  She was just SO interested in food.  She watched us eat constantly, and would lean in and grab anything we had in our hands (like crackers).  If we ate near her she would flap and shriek, as if saying "me too!".  So, it wasn't my intention to give her peas first, but I had just made a fresh batch of them and they were ready to go.  Plus, they were Lucas' favorite, so why not?

She got strapped in her seat and was ready to go.  Had a bite or two, and then decided she wasn't a fan.  So, we moved to the bathtub to finish.  She finally did eat the whole bowl, even if there were a few gag faces in between.

I know you're supposed to try foods for several days before switching to a new one, but I couldn't do peas to her again.  We went to sweet potatoes next.  No crying/gagging... 

As of now, she's eaten just about everything, and even sorta enjoys peas.  I think her favorites are pears, blueberries, mango, sweet potatoes, and carrots.

And that's right, I'm making her food.  It's so easy!  Steam, puree, and freeze!

Raystown

Mid-July, we went with Chris, Sarah, and JJ to Raystown.  We've camped for a week there the past few years with our boat, but this time just spent a long weekend in an old house (built in the 1800's) right on Main St.  It was a good time.  Bike riding, playing in the yard, walks to the lake, a hike, trips to the beach, homemade meals, board games, and mountain biking for Chris & Tony.  One of the biggest amusements, however, was counting the hundred-plus bats that came flying out of the chimney each evening!

Forgive baby's weird eye.  She rubbed sunblock in them and they got all puffy