Not cool.
Miss Cora seems bound and determined to grow up faster (if possible) than big sister Amara did (which was PLENTY FAST). In talking with another "newer" mom at work yesterday, I walked out of the room asking myself "where'd my baby go," and why do my girls seem to want to grow up so fast!!
To that end, her daughter, "V," is a month ahead of Cora and isn't fully rolling over. Cora is rolling over both directions--in fact barrell rolls over and over, and last night actually sat up--from lying on her back, just to get closer to Amara who was right next to her--Eric and I were stunned to say the least.
She pulls up fully into a full front chest press and pushes on anything near her into a full circle pivot and backwards with ease--Miss Sarah and I think it will be days (not weeks) until she is crawling (and childproofing) at lightning speed. :( Where'd my baby go?
I've always tried my best not to rush the girls into any phase. Sure it's exciting to see them reach milestones, but I never want them to get there too fast. (Though, this rear-facing till 2 carseat legislation thing I could jump right past.) It's been different too with Cora being born in February, we're able to do things in the Summer that we didn't with Amara. Cora has already been to splash parks and baseball games, while Amara was still sleeping right through them 3 short years ago.
My diatribe is done. The point is made. I'm sad, but I'll get over it--but as a reminder to myself and anyone who'll listen...hold them, love them, squeeze them now, because in a blink, they are already moving on.
After we got dried off from the Scioto Mile fountain, we headed home, but as I headed south, I thought about the Audobon park that Kortney had mentioned to me, and I wanted to do a quick drive-by just to check it out. We got there and were blown away with it's coolness! 
The play areas were broken out into different aged areas for bigger and smaller kids. Also there was a kind of a hard foam type flooring under it all. To the side, they had this interactive video type game that you could play and Amara and I had fun with that.
Cora didn't enjoy the park as much :)...it was ok though considering how hot it was! 
The slides for the older kids require you to wrap your legs around the sides of it, not like a traditional slide at all. Getting to the top of the ladder, Amara quickly realized this and headed right back down.
This is something like the 2nd or 3rd tallest freestanding rockclimbing attraction in such-and-such area and was really cool! Also, this water tower has observation stairs so you can get up pretty high to look around. There are trails everywhere and a mister, water fountain and pretty cool scenery too.
This was more her size. Traditional slide! She didn't stay on the stuff long though--even though it's recycled plastic, it got H-O-T hot! We didn't stay all that long, but we will be back. I also saw an article recently that they are going to be expanding the area and beautifying the old impound lot too, so I'm hoping it becomes a great family attraction. It certainly has a great view of the downtown area!
Yeah, this is not "your momma's" splash pad--in fact, I don't think it's a splash pad really at all. It's a HUMONGOUS fountain! Boy is it ever cool! It has overhead spray/misters a super big fountain in the middle and thousands of smaller jets that spray up! There are lights overhead that they use in the evening time and an amphitheater and a restaurant just to the left side there too.
I always try to get Cora in any water we're near and it must have been too cold. Not a fan--but hey, baby steps!
As usual, it took Amara a bit to warm up to the experience but once she did, she even got daddy in there, and daddy and mommy didn't have swim suits on like she did! It was such a beautiful morning though and we were all really enjoying ourselves.
This is just one row of literally dozens of fountains. They are all below ground level too, so nothing for the kids to get hurt on!
I never did get her to run through them, even though some of the bigger kids were-i'm thinking maybe a visit with Jonathan or the cousins might do the trick for her--a boost of confidence! I can't wait to go back. It opens at 7 am and since we're usually up, it's perfect for us. Close, free, fun, score!
To our delight, Heather and (baby) Ali come to visit Ohio once or twice a year. This though, was Mike's first visit and their first in our new house, so we were very excited for them to come stay with us, even for just a day. Ali is almost 2, so we were anxious to see how all the girls would get along.
Saturday morning, Eric hit the GC farmer's market for fresh berries for smoothies. YUM!! A quick break and then onto the next thing! ...Playing outside, Ali is a pro and Amara was a bit of a priss :) The water was a tad cold and between being sprayed and Ily running through, it took Amara quite a bit to warm up to things, literally.
Cora and I sat in the shade watching from a safe distance--she didn't really have any desire to be in the chilly water!
After they were done playing and with naps, Heather and Mike started to pack up while the girls rested. Amara seems to be without clothes a lot :) Here they were watching a bit of Barney (Ali's favorite) and snacking.
So, to wrap up our holiday weekend before returning to work, we stopped for gas and a snack on the way home. Amara came out with her typical blue Superman, I think Eric had mint, and they got me some carmel cone flavor that was yummy!
That pretty much ended up being dinner because everyone was so tired and ready for baths, we didn't lose a beat when we got home. An exhausting but fun weekend by all.
Since July 4th fell on a Monday this year, the Lancaster parade was on Monday and with us having the day off--we decided to all go down for a visit. We headed out early and grandma and grandpa saved us seats along the parade route. 
Cooperating as always with a photo op, Amara was content to sit in her chair--at least for the moment, and Cora was happy so long as there was something to watch.
Waiting for the parade, everyone gets antsy--but at least it wasn't super hot!
Amara and grandma got a better view by hopping up on the roof of their car!
The Marine Corps band! By far the loudest and best in the parade and the girls loved watching them.
Horses are always a favorite for Amara too--those guys had to be H O T!
An infantry of retired military trucks, all carrying kids, candy, and water to hand out along the parade.
Can't go wrong with tractors either! Several were older than all of us but still pretty and working like a charm!
We started getting a little tired toward the end of the parade and it was time for a rest. 
Cora was pretty interested in any of the papers, packaging, etc. until someone gave us this ball promoting the Lancaster festival--then it was all hers!
Amara and dadddy waiting on the next entry...it was a fun morning and the girls enjoyed themselves. Afterwards we went to the Youngs' for a cookout and some play time with Kristin and Jim before heading back home. It was one of those days when you look at your watch at 2 and it feels like 6 pm, haha.
Miss Sarah is kind enough to take pics of Amara and Cora (and Jonathan :)) for us to capture some fun moments throughout the day. This is the first download I've done and I guess it's been since about mid-late May. Specifically, I remember Amara's first day with Miss Sarah was during her birthday week, so she made it a really special day for her.
Breakfast on the patio, which she loves to do, followed by jumping in puddles and handprints to prove it.
She also did a crown craft where the kids took stickers and foamies and built crowns--I heard Mr. J's was brown but never got to see it--
Modeling her crown for everyone!
...and right on cue, getting laughed at by little sister, Cora.
Don't the cookies look yummy? I think they were sprinkles cookies. The kids got to help make them, and then I think the kids rested while the cookies baked and cooled, and after nap time it was cookie time!
They have also gone to the zoo with Miss Sarah twice now this summer--and once with us, they put some miles on up there! It was a particularly nice morning I remember and she was excited to go with her new family.
This pic makes Cora's hat look like she'd already outgrown it--my bad. But good self-portrait Miss Sarah!
I think this visit was the Polar Bears and parts of North America, followed by her picnic at the zoo before the ride home. I'm guessing Amara took the hat lead from Jonathan on this, or vice versa, hard telling.
Zoo buddies! too cute.
Another experience with play doh! This is one of her favorites and smartly, they are doing it outside! Good thing they thought to do this in June, now in July the play doh would be melting!
Would you like some?
Being silly friends playing blanket cover-up game. I think it's hilarious when Amara laughs and covers her mouth. I think this was during Cora's naptime.
Miss Sarah often incorporates a craft activity into snacktime. On this day, they were making bugs on a log with celery, peanut butter and raisins. I think Miss Sarah said she ate it all, but ate the components separately. Figures--might be my daughter.
Following the lead from Mr. J.
Sampling her art and yummy snack! I have to note the pink bib and cup. Miss Sarah had only blue things in her house for Mr. J. and she was so sweet to go out and get Amara her own things :) 
Happy little Cora in her bean bag chair of approval!
I'm guessing breakfast here--Amara looks pretty clean so far, haha. She is getting quite good with her knife, and what good practice!
This was pretty recent too--again, the craft/activity part was making the ice pops, the snack part was eating them--very cute and crafty, we love being at Miss Sarah's!
I think this might be our first big classroom event for Amara at Primrose, and ironically enough, it's her last day in her Early Preschool 2 class with Miss Shirey :( The kids and the school does regularly scheduled events for most major holidays, but with Amara only being there 2 days a week, we miss out on a lot of them that happen on Friday's.
This time it was a Thursday though, and the kids were asked to wear their red, white, and blue to school that day and they all spend their day making patriotic crafts, streamers, signs and learning songs. 
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