Those long, hazy days of summer

Summer began for us the first week of June, once Eli was out of school and Mommy got back from Canada.  And what a long, long summer it seemed like it would be... 

But we had some plans to make the time pass more quickly.  Mommy had enough foresight to schedule five different camps.  That meant that pretty much every other week, Eli spent mornings or afternoons doing something new and fun at one of the many venues that make Pittsburgh so great.  First up was Lego Camp.  It was in the South Hills, so Mommy, Seb, and Eli got a chance to explore new neighborhoods.  Eli loved Snapology!  First camp was a huge hit.  Score one for Mommy!  

After Lego camp was bug camp at the Phipps Conservatory (much closer to home).  But before Eli started that, we all got an impromptu visit from Papa and Grammy Candie.  Highlights from that visit:  the National Aviary where we discovered Seb's love of birds.  Here are the kids, Pop, and some new friends.  

So, as I said, next came Bug camp.  Another huge hit. Eli got to plant parsley seeds, a flower, and learn all about ants, bees, and other great things.  Score another for Mommy.

We also got another visit... this time for over a week!  Gramma Jaye and Grandpa Marty drove from Salt Lake for a big adventure, and included us in on the fun.  We went all over, including to the long-awaited Altoona Horseshoe, where real trains make an almost 270-degree turn and we got to sit in the center of the action.  Eli LOVED it.  Sebastian HATED it.  Turns out the youngest member of our family is not a huge fan of real trains.  As Seb loves to say, "Uh ohhhh."

Turns out the Altoona Railroad Museum is also wonderful!

Another adventure with "the Grandpeople" (Eli's words) took us to Fort Ligonier.  Let's call this French and Indian War Day.  It was a beautiful day, as you can see below

And then there was Pittsburgh Pirates Day. A baseball game made a great last full day of their fun visit. And the home team won!

Eli at PNC Park with Pittsburgh in the background

Once Gramma and Grandpa left, we had only a couple more days with Daddy before he left on his own big adventure - two weeks in Wilmington, DE working on an arbitration. While he began his business trip, Eli did another week-long camp, this time an "Art Adventure" at the Carnegie Museum of Art. Eli returned each day with stories, a newly stamped "passport", and a full portfolio of art.  Another success.

But Mommy was beginning to get a bit antsy what with Daddy out of town and all.  Perhaps it was time for a change of scenery?