Camp, swim, & more summertime stuff!

Benji is at the end of his swim lessons.  He had two swim "tests" to pass -- one in regular clothing, and one in winter clothes.  He did great --- even when Mommy couldn't get his hoodie zipped up and it acted more like a parachute under water.

Wait, what? I'm swimming in clothes?!

Floating all on his own.

Proud teacher, Liz Goldring, is an AMAZING ISR instructor and we highly recommend her -- she taught ALL of our boys how to be safe in the water!

ISR summer clothes test Benji

When Mommy put Benji's long-sleeve shirt on, he kept touching his arms, like, what is this thing?

One last test -- WINTER clothes!

ISR winter clothes test Benji

He may have cried for each lesson, but her certainly mastered the material.  So happy for you, Benji!

Ready for a summer in the pool!

But first, camp pick up and some haircuts!

Derek drew, colored, and cut these circles himself!

Before:

After:

Benji was NOT happy about his haircut.  Josh was the only one that was able to calm him down, when he decided to share his lollipop with him!  What a sweet, big brother!

I can't even look, it's so sad!

Wait this is nice.

Mmmmmm, more, please!

So traumatic!

The finished product.

Cuddling the rest of the day.

Back to camp we go!

Art

Sports

Themed dress-up days for Josh --- here's Wild West Day!

Excited to dress like "Jack" from Newsies!

Derek and Aaron got to rider go-carts during their "Cars" activity.  Derek said, "I didn't run into the tires like Aaron did."  HA!

Derek even learned his nationality while at camp:

Derek’s British

Benji tries so hard to be like his big brother, Derek.

Philly

Mommy and Daddy headed up to Philly to celebrate Amanda and Alex's Engagement.  The boys stayed with Bubby and Zaide (Bauby M and Zaidy Shelly left the same morning -- coincidence?).

JOSHIE SELFIE

Cubs at Marlins!

Breakfast of champions.

Meanwhile, Mommy and Daddy toured the city where they used to live.  A few years ago, the One Liberty Observation Deck opened.  So, on a whim, they headed up!  It was really a great "tour" of the city, guided by a knowledgeable guy, all while seeing it from a bird's eye view!

Here we go!

Up, up, up -- 57 floors up!

Mommy's normal view of the world.

From the top!

Ben.

Selfie with Benny Boy!

Former student, Hong Pengcheng,
met in the Reading Terminal Market for lunch!

The first evening Mommy and Daddy met up with some old Philly friends (and had such a good time, they didn't take any pictures).  The same happened the next morning when we headed to NJ to meet up with a great Dental School friend, Jen, and her family --- but we did snap a shot of us leaving Jersey!

And, the entire reason for us going to Philly --- the engagement party --- where we celebrated with so many family and friends --- was also picture-less.  Can you believe it?!

Luckily, Bubby and Zaide are much better at taking pictures!  The boys had a wonderful weekend with them.

First there was swimming....

Then there was Jackson's for Dinner!!!

Ending the night with a movie night!

The next day, B & Z, Derek and Josh took Benji to see his first movie, Finding Dory!

Checking out the awesome, reclining, chairs!

Snacked up and ready to go!

Hanging like one of the boys!

Talking it out with Zaide.

Free refills!

As if this wasn't enough of an adventure --- Bubby's keys were accidentally locked in Zaide's car (in Hollywood) before they left for Boca.  Sooooo, the Shermans to the rescue!  Rita picked up the boys and Bubby, while Zaide borrowed their car to go get Bubby's car keys!  The boys had so much fun with Rita and Obbie and we are so incredibly thankful for them taking us in!