Important Life Skills: Lessons with Water Balloons

North Carolina Trip with the Murry Family!

This year marked another fun time with the Murry family. It was our first time in North Carolina, and our first time meeting Madeline (1 month old) and Finn (6 months old)!! Day one was spent playing at the beach, playing in toe pool, sharing stories, laughing and enjoying being together once again. It was a beautiful start to a wonderful vacation!

Rachel Lee's First Sport, First Practice!!

Well it's finally Rachel Lee's turn to play in one of the sports that she watches her sisters play...soccer!! And she totally understands the game! The first scrimmage she scored 5 points for her team, and after every point she hugged her teammates. After practice as she walked away her friend asked her for one more hug and she said, "Shure..." hugged her and then said to me, "Well that was fun!" I hope this season brings more fun for this little gal!! GOOOOAAAALLLL!!!

Kate's Birthday

Kate's birthday meal this year was steak and potatoes. That's the kind of kid she is...meat and carbs. We also spent today making an ice cream cake together, with layers of cookie dough and oreo ice cream. After opening presents we let them stay up a little and play with the new toys, then we sent them off to sleepy land...I still can't believe that my girl is now 7 years old!

 An apple cider toast to my big 7 year old!!

 A Fairy Garden from Cindy and Roger

 A mini-town from Jeff and I...

Dear Kate,
Today you are seven. You are perceptive and accurate, often surprising me at how well you can communicate your feelings, thoughts and the tone of a situation. I still remember the day when I asked you to introduce yourself to someone else and you whispered in my ear, "You don't even know what it feels like to be shy." I often forget you are shy because around me you are so comfortable, and I realize that is such a gift. Your trust and openness is a treasure. Your shyness only pains me because I think others miss out on seeing the humor you possess, and the talents that you hold. I still think about the time I asked you to put the toothpaste in the bathroom. You took the new tube out of the box and hid it. Then you put the empty tube in the box, so when I went to get the new tube out of the box it was really the empty tube! Such a clever and funny prank! I loved it, and your father and I laughed so hard. Well planned, well played, and your patience did not give anything away. That's you my dear...a planner, an entertainer, and thoughtful, articulate, patient girl. And I am blessed to call you mine and to know that real you. May you continue to grow and bless others with your humor, your wit, your charm, your compassion and your love. You are a treasure and a diamond among a world of coal. I love you!
Your Mama,
Sarah

Da Vinci

Since we have decided to continue homeschooling, I thought we should join a local group to meet people and allow the girls to develop friendships. Here is our first field trip with some of them...there are 70 families in the group, but only about 8 families made it to today's trip.

 Kate really gets along well this this little friend...and I really like her mama :)

Another Productive and Therapeutic Visit from my Folks

The title just about sums it up...we played, laughed, ate, painted, celebrated Kate's birthday...just about did it all.  And of course I was so busy that I hardly took any pictures!! I really wish I had a before/after shot of the room we painted, but trust me, the room looks so wonderful now with the darker grey. The previous color was such a light grey that it almost looked white. And when we added the wall unit downstairs we took down the other shelves and had holes all over the wall. I really wish my folks lived closer, but I am so thankful for the visits that we make, even though according to my mom, the ride of the 5 freeway is "boring." Yep, I think my gals agree that the ride is boring and the only reason we drive down the 5 is to see family!

Lost front tooth!!

Kate's teeth are falling out left and right...one morning she asked for candy and I said I would give her a whooper to get her tooth to fall out. Next thing I know she is hold her tooth!! Girl was motivated by candy!! I told her if she lost her tooth on vacation the tooth fairy gives twice as much ($2), but that still didn't change her mind about pulling her tooth out. 

Then the other day while standing in line at a bounce house at the soccer opening ceremony she said, "Mama, look!" and she was holding her other tooth! She is now down 4 teeth and looking like the cutest little jack-o-latern around!