Dress Up

The other day Eve asked if she could look through my jewelry while I folded clothes.  I really enjoyed telling her the story behind each piece, particularly since some of them are quite old.  I suggested that the girls might like to play dress up in some of my old bridesmaids dresses and play with some of my jewelry.  I don't think I've ever heard so much silliness and giggling.  It was so fun for them, and so much fun for me to watch.  I think they were most impressed with the "Big Boobie Dress", which had a cardboard bodice in it.  It was hilarious and so cute.

July 4

We haven't been home for the 4th in several years.  This year we were invited to a bike parade in the neighborhood.  We went all out.  It was so fun!

Ellie's A Nitrofish Too!

On a whim I decided to sign Ellie up for Jr. Swim Team rather than Guppies (guppies is basically swim lessons, while Jr. Swim Team is more like regular swim team).  The first day of practice she forgot everything she ever learned about swimming and barely made it away from the side of the pool.  By the next to last meet, Ellie had made it all the way across the pool, so I agreed to let her swim in the meet.  She was so excited and ready!

...and a little bit nervous.

 I love that personality on her face!

 She was so brave, she even dove off the blocks!  I was worried she'd freeze up and decide not to dive in, but she did it!

 She swam her little heart out!  Until she got about halfway across the pool and noticed everyone was watching her.  Then she kept swimming, but started to struggle, and maybe cry a little bit.

 Her coach jumped in to help.  Everyone thinks Ellie is my sweet little compliant child.  I was told when Coach Abby came it to help Ellie said, "Let go of me!"

 She got out all by herself.  Apparently if your coach jumps in and gives you a few pushes toward the finish, it's considered a DQ.

Doughnuts and ribbons afterward, Ellie didn't care she was disqualified.  She was thrilled to have swum in her first meet!  She was convinced that our pool was shorter, so she tried again the next week.  She did awesome and made it all the way across all by herself!  Her coach had the hold the lifeguards back because they were worried, but we all knew she was fine.  We're so proud of her!  Now she's learned a little of backstroke and butterfly and is (as far as she's concerned) a certified professional and ready to rock it at every meet next year!

Swimming Swimming In The Swimming Pool

We had another great swim season!  John and Eve were both on the 8 and under team.  This year both of them took it a little more seriously and got a little more of a competitive spirit.  Being the oldest and one of the biggest in his age group, John did really well.  Both of them shaved some major time off of their records from last year.  They really enjoy it, and I really enjoy it too.  It makes me wish I had been a swimmer.  They've agreed to help show me the ropes.  These are in no particular order.

 Eve just finished a race.  Always a smile on her face.

 John during a backstroke start.  It's his strongest stroke.

 John doing backstroke

 Eve on the blocks

 Eve freestyle

 "Yes!" (John)

 John about to start

 

 John diving in

 John doing breast stroke

 Eve's butterfly (her favorite stroke)

 Eve's backstroke start

 Eve doing backstroke

 See...always a smile on her face

 John doing breast stroke

Proud of his finish.

Eve is SEVEN!!!!

I tell them to stop, but they just keep getting older.  Eve's birthday was on her awards day at school, so she had to get up early and get ready to go, but she got to bring cookies to share and school and still got out around 10.  Not a bad deal if you ask me!

 This face completely sums up Eve's personality in my mind.

 We had lots of fun taking a few of Eve's friends to the trampoline park.

 Then everyone came back to our house for cupcakes.

 Somehow this happy little face snuck in.

These little girls were so cute and fun together.  Eve, Belle, Berlyn, Leila, and Rebecca.

Eve loves to help, organize, clean, play, dance, pretend, and do anything inappropriate she can think of to monopolize attention.  She has an infectious smile and is so loving and caring.  I got reports back from school so many times this year that she was marked up on the behavior chart for being a good friend.  She's smart, funny, and beautiful.  Still, she has no sense of urgency...where in the world could she have gotten that from?????

School's Out For Summer!

Another school year has come to an end! 

 Ellie graduated preschool.  Here she is with Mrs. Looper.  Such a sweet sweet teacher.  My friend Holly was her other teacher.  They've definitely gotten her ready for Kindergarten!

Eve got several awards this year.  A few awards for reading (she's developed into a super duper reader), and she got the star award from her teacher for just being all around special.  It was a special honor.

I didn't get any pictures of John because of the setup for his awards.  In second grade there aren't any awards given specifically by the teacher.  John also got a reading award, was on the beam team this year (climbed the rope in PE to the top!), and was on the Principal's Honor Role (all As).  He really has done phenomenally well in school.

We are so very proud of how hard each of them works in school.  Way to go!  Now let's relax a little!