Shenandoah and Misc.

Last night we went downtown ( or as the locals call it, "Center City" or "Uptown") for a free concert in the park. I love how many free concerts there are to choose from every week this summer. The crowd for Shenandoah was much smaller than we expected, but it made it so much nicer. The little ones could run around and dance and burn that energy. They also made their way into the fountains to get soaked. We head some of the bands big hits "Mama Knows" "Nest to you, Next to Me" and several good covers including "Sweet Home Alabama"! We left just before the rain cut loose....again. Apparently the crowd dissipated earlier in the evening due to rain. A few misc. shots of the kids are below too. Rebecca had VBS at our church this week and went one evening with a friend to another church. While she was out for the evening we took the boys for ice cream. It felt so odd to just have the two boys for the night.

 My littlest helper.

 Isaiah loves the dishwasher.

 Yummy, Bruster's ice cream cone, just his size!

 At the VBS Rebecca visited the theme was Secret Agents and they had this cool car built, complete with blinking lights and siren sounds. I didn't think we'd ever get Levi out of the car.

 Shenandoah in the Park, Saturday's theme was Americana, next month is Beach music, and then Cajun.....I think we need to go to all of them!

Summer in the City

Saturday we took the kids to Lakeshore Learning store for free craft time and I made a lengthy wish list for the coming school year. I also know where we'll be doing our Christmas shopping this year! After lunch we drive through the suburb of Matthews. I've heard a lot about Matthews and it was nice, but not worth the commute for Aaron. Next I asked Aaron to drive me through the Dilworth Neighborhood. I had heard on city data boards that this was where the cool old homes were. So True! These streets are not only shaded with huge trees that arch over the roads, but each and every house is an amazing piece of architecture. Mostly art and crafts bungalows from the 30s, but a few Quenn Ann and Colonials in the mix. AND...where the homes were so old they needed to be demolished, beautiful new homes are built to blend into the neighborhood. One street was names "Ideal Way".....that's the street for me. LOL

 This park is nestled in the heart of the Dilworht neighborhood along the narrow, but lengthy valley. The splash park isn't huge, but I like that it is fenced.

 The playground is right next to the waterworks, so drip dry time is fun too!

 Leading from the playground are two trails, one paved and one not, connected at intervals by bridges. Levi though he was big stuff to walk along his own path and join us later down the trail. Of course, we're only talking a distance of less than 30ft., but when you are three  and in the woods its like being Robin Hood. :)

 See, isn't' this neighborhood quaint?!

 By early evening we were in Uptown waiting for the free concert to begin. First though we needed bug repellent and so we walked all over downtown, getting lost a couple times, trying to find a CVS. No complaints though, we got to see this street show of Prof. ???'s Living Doll. Rebecca was quite puzzled as to whether it was a doll or a human.

 Making a mental note to bring the kids down in the fall for a carriage ride!

 Isaiah liked being toted around on me in the Babyhawk. I haven't worn him much as he is over 25 pounds now, but I'm sure it added calorie burning power to my walk. It also freed up the stroller for Levi, whose legs were tired by this time.

We got back to the park around 5:30 and spread our blanket on the green. Waiting for the sun to go down and the orchestra to begin.

 They played quite a nice concert, the first free one in 12 years.

 Got to keep hydrated.

 By the time the sun went down the grass wasn't visible, the turnout was huge and it was fun to see lots of families and even babies.

Mellow Mushroom bordered the park to one side so we ordered a Gluten Free Pizza...yum, yum!

 Aaron brought this sea salt fudge pop back from the food trucks for me, and it was delicious, but after about two bites Isaiah took possession and he kept moving in a steady circle so that no one would take it from him.

 Snowcone 'stache

 More fountains for kids.

 This park is beautiful!

 Charlotte Philharmonic

Photo Fun

So Isaiah was one in February, which means I should have taken him to get a portrait taken. Poor third child, with Rebecca I was on top of the whole every three months photos, Levi got several, and  now Isaiah is almost 16 months and I just got it done. In fact, it isn't even professional.....then again, in this digital age, do we really need professional portraits? We made an appointment this week, but missed it by 15 minutes.(life with 3 kids....never make it anywhere on time!) The studio wasn't flexible so we were "all dressed up with no place to go". After driving around town for a while we just ended up at a favorite park. All said and done I think it turned out well. I had intended to get a big 10 x 13 for Aaron of all three kids for father's day.....haha! Now I just need to run to Hobby Lobby to find a cool frame for three pictures so we can give Daddy a nice gift on Sunday.

 The only sort of okay group photo. Not quite what I wanted.

 My big boy.

 Isaiah has so much expression!

 This is one I'm calling a 'portrait'.

 And this is the official, print and send to grandma picture.

 Almost a 7 year old!

 Somebody loves posing for the camera.

 This one just makes her look too grown up!

 Levi is all boy.....and I couldn't get a decent smile for anything!