Water play

Cameron does his amazing "balancing a cup on a stick" trick...the crowd goes wild!

Jamie says "backhoe" over and over again because it sounds so good.

The "I'm so wet and happy" look.
Toy car wash - everything must get wet.

Jamie driver

Guess what Jamie likes to do when daddy isn't driving his Jeep? Please note bicycle helmet for added safety.

Graduation Day

I wanted to share the Elliott family news with everyone who reads our blog because many of you know Grant's family. Grant's niece, Laura, just graduated from St. Andrews University! She is the first member of their family to graduate and everyone is very proud of her. She's in the photo above with her mum and dad, Donna and George. Congratulations Laura!

And following in her footsteps is Jenni, who was recently accepted to Aberdeen unversity and starts this fall.

Talking of graduations, I just read the speech given by J.K. Rowling to Harvard graduates. It was funny and inspiring.

Tour de Reston

"Pedal faster daddy!"

"Are there any gears with this bike?"

Artistic moment

"Show us more art from Cameron at summer camp!" I hear you cry. Here are the best of the latest creations from our master artist.If you guessed caterpillar then you are right!

Yes, it is a yellow duck with just two feathers.

And a happy owl with a big smile.

The owl makes me laugh the most!

Watering the garden

Today, Jamie and I dropped off Cameron at summer camp and came home to do some work in the garden. Jamie decided that watering the rose bush would be his job but surprise, surprise the water just got everywhere! "Take off my shorts mummy - all wet", was closely followed by "off shirt" and "off nappy". So we had a full-on naked boy watering the garden! No full nude shots on this site...it is a family site afterall...but Jamie put on quite a show this morning for the neighbours and the mailman.Jamie uses his crocs to water the flowers.

And while he was there, he might as well have a shower....why not!? I think he was just about to chase me with the hose at this point....

Fathers Day

Both Cameron and Jamie were able to say "happy fathers day" yesterday. Grant went to play golf with Jean and Dave and we went to mini-golf in Oakton. I think Cameron and Jamie might play as well as their dad...he's taught them everything they know about the game. Cameron scored a hole in one on his first shot, sadly, dad didn't have such a successful game.

The boys walking the course and planning their shots.


Jamie decides that sometimes it is better just to lift the ball and put it closer to the hole...great thinking!

Cameron navigates the water on one hole. After lots of splashing Miranda reaches into the water and Cameron gets to take his shot on dry land. I don't think anyone noticed.

last day on the beach

We had a great vacation in Avon, NC with Dave, Jean and Ruby. Here are the boys with Ruby on the beach the morning we had to leave. We got up early, packed up the car and rushed down to the beach for a last chance walk on the sand and splash in the waves. As many of you know, I love the beach. I dream of having a beach home and spending time there with family and friends. I even have things stored in the garage for my "one day beach home". It's crazy but it is good to dream.

Beach Party

We're at the beach - yeah! Here is our beach party splashing in the waves on the first day. The boys are having a great time and love playing with Ruby every day.

Art

(Below: in case you haven't guessed, this is a peacock.)
I have been trying to think what to do with some of Cameron's art work. Grant thinks I'm crazy for keeping any of it but I think it is quite sweet and I dreamily imagine bringing it out and showing it to his children...or perhaps at his wedding to really embarrass him!

This week he's done some classics at his farm school. Perhaps taking photos of the artwork is a good space saving way of dealing with my growing pile of masterpieces.


Below is a Rooster.And finally, my favourite...below is the Sheep.

Fun on the Farm

This week has been busy already because Cameron started summer camp on Monday at Frying Pan Farm Preschool. He's having a great time. He's in the Pig class and loves his camp teachers Katie and Kelsey. They went on a tour of the farm on Monday and today they did a nature hike. Every day they also do a craft, read a story and play a game. Cameron is very pleased to be going to a big boy camp where the kids in his class are aged 3-5 years old.
When Jamie and I pick up Cameron after school we have a picnic and play around on the big rocks before heading home.

We're also busy getting ready for our summer holiday. We're going with Dave, Jean and Ruby, hopefully on Friday but possibly Saturday. We're going to Hatteras Island. We might be a little quiet for a week but then I'll be back with lots of beach photos to share.