In the good ol' summer time

We have had so many outings and events in the 2 short months since we brought our little peanut home.  With 4 kids in school, the field trips, concerts, track-and-field days, swimming supervision and so on, kept Bronwyn and I running between the kids' schools.  Then we headed to the zoo for a rainy Father's Day.  A week at the lake, a camping trip and a big birthday bash are already behind us this summer as well. 

Our Bronwyn seems to love life.  JOY and ZOE are two more names I wish we could have added to her already long "handle".  She constantly keeps us smiling or laughing, and just loves each new experience that comes her way.  And for Bronwyn, pretty much EVERY experience that comes her way is a new one!

Here are snippets of our June and July so far - and not in any proper order. 

 We already have so many pictures of Bronwyn in Madison's arms.  The girls have bonded so quickly and firmly.  They adore each other.   Because of their age differences this sisterhood is different than many - but Madison is a seasoned big sister, and was very very ready to take on a new little sibling. 

 We spent an afternoon and evening at my brother's place near Portage, and even went fishing in the river nearby.  Bronwyn met more of my family, and decided she really loves her cousin Bixie. 

Our first camping trip with 5 kiddos - headed to Stephenfield for 3 days.  We had a great time - it sure was cooking that week, so we enjoyed the beach, whatever shade we could find, and finally the a/c in the camper when we just got too hot.  Bronwyn was a trooper and loved it all... especially getting to sleep in her playpen in the middle of the camper where she could see us all when she woke up. 

 Bronwyn found a broken DS of one of the boys' and took an old glowstick to it.  She was proud as could be to be playing video games just like her brothers.

A week down at Pelican Lake was Bronwyn' introduction to the jetski.  When Daddy first set her on it she grabbed the handle bars and made motor noises.    She seems so attracted to quads and motorcycles and other loud vehicles.  She got her wish and off she went for her first watercraft ride.

As I got ready for Dean's 40th birthday party, Bronwyn was in on all of the planning.  She "helped" prepare the salads, wash and cut the fruit and set out the decor.  She even came along when I hid all the geocaches.

 Bronwyn is so serious in our pool - but definitely wants IN and does NOT want out.  A second after I took this photo she peed on Madison's hip and all the kids voted her out of the pool.

Bronwyn attended each of Kaden and Carson's school field days with me.  I thought her eyes would pop out of her head she was so curious about every activity and all the kids running about.  

And she visited Carson's grade 1 Celebration of Learning at the end of June.  

As Bronwyn gets more and more mobile she has become more and more adventurous and messy.  

If Bronwyn sees Madison she will immediately try to get to her.  This day, Madison had made herself a cappuccino and had picked up a good book.  She pulled the coffee table around in front of her so Bronwyn couldn't get to her and beg to be picked up.  Instead Bronwyn began to hide behind the coffee table, and then pop up and yell until the girls were both laughing.  Over and over the game went on:)

Near the middle of June I needed to wrap up a session of Princess of Purpose with the Blessing Ceremony.  Of course my Bronwyn was there for every minute - even grabbing my mic while I was speaking.  

Our hot weather the last few weeks has had us outside more than we are in.  For the first while Bronwyn would stay and play on an old sheet on the yard, because she didn't like the feel of the grass.  The kids would feel sorry for her, and run over once in a while to talk to her and play with her a bit. 

 Our little girls is SUCH a copycat.  And the kids get such a kick out of doing something and then getting her to try it. 
This afternoon Adrian was showing her how to be kind to the puppy. He kissed the puppy on the head.  She immediately grabbed the dog's ears and pulled it close for a kiss.  

Our little B's hair is growing in beautifully, and she is cruising along furniture (but not quite walking yet).  It honestly feels like we've always had her.  I was tucking her into her crib this evening and was hit with the idea that she truly feels like my daughter.  She's ours - the same way each of the other 4 are ours.  Having her in our family doesn't feel strange or different or weird (I've been asked that many times).  Having Bronwyn in our family feels right.  It feels designed and planned and perfect - exactly the way the Giver of all good gifts does things.