June

Avonlea Jane went roller skating for the first time at a friend's birthday party. She held my hand for the first lap and half and then refused any other help. I, on the other hand, clutched onto my friend Meotis for dear life as I did one lap and then proclaimed myself finished.

She had no problems asking big kids she didn't know for help.

This fit a lot better on Halloween two years ago.

We went to a paint studio to paint something for Uncle Dillon.

Willie also enjoyed Frankenstein's Labratory.

Stuffing a giraffe for Will

Playing in their back room play area while Avonlea Jane finished her gift

When we were done painting, we walked to the Athenaeum  while Avonlea Jane learned the story of Frankenstein's monster. I went in to drop off a couple books while she played in the back yard. When I came back out, she told me she'd found our new dog. She pointed me toward the Scholar's Garden, and I thought she meant there was a new dog statue. Nope. There was a black dog, begging her to play with him from over the fence.

After the Athenaeum, we went to the public library, where Avonlea Jane surprised the children's librarian by asking, "Do you have an abridged version of Dr. Frankenstein's story for kids?" They did indeed, and we've been reading a chapter every night at bedtime.

The next day, we went to see Justin's school recital at Henny Penny, Avonlea Jane's school for next year.

The kids weren't ready to go home, so we walked downtown to see the new outdoor masthead exhibit.

Playing at the Peabody Essex Museum

Mabel has been really ill, and we're not sure how much longer she'll be with us. She'd stopped grooming herself, so we got her this sleek lion cut. Thankfully, being rid of hair jump started her grooming again and was helpful when she had surgery last week.

Megan and Geoff's annual staring contest

I was the first one out this year, but David stayed in a bit longer. His goal was to place well but not bring home another trophy.

According to play, last year's winner fell to this year's winner. Unfortunately, David did not expect me to bring home two trophies--one for shortest time and one for most inappropriate commentary.