Eleanor goes to the Millpond and Howl-o-scream

A couple weeks ago, Eleanor had a magical weekend planned. It started out with a trip to Howl-o-scream with friends. I ended up chaperoning the group (BG has a chaperone policy during Howl-o-scream) and Rosie stayed with us. She kept saying, "this is exhilarating!" She loved all the scares. Ben and Jane headed home with Chris (they are not interested).

We did a few rides (the swings, Pantheon, Loch Ness, Apollo's, Big Bad Wolf):

And hit the haunted houses. This was Rosie's first one - ClownTown. The teenagers did all 5 the park has, Rosie did three.

Rosie wanted her picture with a clown...

And then all the other girls did, too!

The crew (Daisy, Lyndon, Scarlett, Olivia, Kollins, Josie, Eve, and Eleanor):

Such a sweet group of girls - they had the best time.

The next day, Eleanor went with her small group (The Coreee) to the Millpond. This is Auntie Mollie's family's home - Auntie Mollie's niece Charlie is in Eleanor's small group and she and Eleanor were in preschool together (before we knew Mollie!) So it was very special that Eleanor got to go to a place very special to Mollie and her family!

They took the ferry over (Hannah, Eleanor, Eve, Leila, Harper, Charlie):

The girls played badminton:

Ate delicious food:

And even swam, paddleboarded, and kayaked despite the weather being in the 60s that day.

They also scared Auntie Mollie's parents to death with a very unfunny prank that thankfully everyone laughed about later.

What extremely fun and special memories they made!

Eleanor's birthday

For Eleanor's birthday this year, she had her small group (the Coreee) meet us at the pool for pizza and swimming.

Then they all came back to our house for ice cream sundaes and a sleepover:

Last picture with my tween!

The next morning was her birthday!

After everyone left with did pool for a bit and her birthday string:

We saw cousins at the park!

And then it was home for her birthday dinner (ribs) and cake (raspberry and chocolate)!

Eleanor put her own candles on the cake...and then after she blew them out we realized she only put 12 on! So we had to do it all over again, hah!

Eleanor, we love you and hope all your birthday dreams come true!

Swim times 2026

Summer swim 2026 is in the books! The kids had such a great time, as always, hanging out with friends, being in the pool, staying up late at meets, eating candy, drinking gatorades, and cheering for their team! Chris announced for the meets, we had two meets that got either moved to Wednesday or split over two nights due to storms, and we ended up coming in second place in our division (losing only to Kingswood). We won Champs, though!

Eleanor's Top times:

100m Individual Medley: 1:27.44 seconds

50m Freestyle: 33.85 seconds

50m Breaststroke: 44.0 seconds

50m Backstroke: 45.50 seconds

50m Butterfly: 40.47 seconds

200m Freestyle Relay: 2:11.55 seconds (with Zoe, Gracie, and Bella)

200m Medley Relay: 2:29.76 seconds (with Zoe, Eleanor M., and Vicky M.)

Eleanor's top swims:

Eleanor's Free Relay:

Eleanor's Medley Relay:

Jane's Top times:

100m Individual Medley: 1:50.6 seconds

50m Freestyle: 38.8 seconds

50m Breaststroke: 48.15 seconds

50m Backstroke: 52.67 seconds (but her top time from last year is still 52.62 seconds)

50m Butterfly: 46.32 seconds

200m Medley Relay: 2:36.08 seconds (exhibition with Eleanor, Eleanor M., and Lilly Y.)

Jane's top swims:

Jane and Eleanor's Medley Relay:

Ben's Top times:

25m Freestyle: 21.19 seconds

25m Breaststroke: 32.97 seconds

25m Backstroke: 27.24 seconds

25m Butterfly: 25.24 seconds

Ben's top swims:

Rosie's Top times:

25m Freestyle: 24.5 seconds

25m Breaststroke: 29.09 seconds

25m Backstroke: 30.43 seconds (but her top time from last year is still 29.94 seconds)

25m Butterfly: 30.01 seconds

Rosie's top swims:

Eleanor is 13!

Eleanor is thirteen years old! She is 66" inches tall (98.5% of the way to my adult height!). She absolutely crushed 7th grade last year, earning her first high school credit, playing libero for her school's volleyball team, was a featured role in the school musical, and joined NJHS! She played rec soccer, did summer swim, played rec basketball, and lacrosse. She continued exploring tennis, and participated in Student Ministries solidifying close friendships with many of the girls there. She got her own room this winter and has her own routines and her own life these days often making plans with friends and heading out via bike to meet up with them. As most teens these days, she's interested in skincare and clothes, but seems to try to keep a good head on her shoulders. She is becoming such a fun and interesting person and we are so thankful we get to be her parents! She is kind, funny, and easy to get along with. We very much look forward to seeing what each new year brings her way. Happy THIRTEENTH birthday Eleanor! We cannot believe you are a teenager.

Eleanor at one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, fifteen, and eighteen months old.

Eleanor at two, three, three and a half, four, and four and a half, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, and twelve years old.

Swim pictures 2026

Summer swim annual pictures! I always try to take pictures of the kids once during the season on picture day.

Team picture:

Eleanor:

Jane:

Ben:

Rosie (please note her fierce pose):

Sisters!

Twins!

And the whole sibling crew!