Happy 4th!

We enjoyed a very laid back and relaxing 4th of July this year. We did a little yardwork, watched a little TV, ate a lot of good food for dinner, and then we made our way over to the golf course down the street for a primo view of our neighborhood's annual fireworks display. Surprisingly, the weather was pretty perfect, and we were able to hold off the mosquitoes with just a little bug repellant. The girls had fun running around on the golf course in the dark and taking turns taking pictures of Frank and me with our camera.

Happy 4th!

Emily Takes the Plunge

This evening after dinner, we spent a couple of hours at our neighborhood pool burning off a little extra energy. Carly spent most of her time diving for swim rings. (I'm going to have to get some kind of underwater camera to get some pics of her, since she spends the majority of her time underwater - - - she is a diving machine!) Emily finally got over her fear of the diving board, and then we couldn't keep her off of it!

My New Rocket Dogs

This post is written especially for one of my bestest friends, Heather M. I saw these shoes and thought about you when I bought them! What do you think? Jealous?

When are you finally going to pack it up and move back home from Scotland? I bet Peterculter doesn't have a DSW! I miss you!

Happy 66th Birthday, Noni!

The Next Annika?

Tonight after dinner, we headed to the driving range so Emily and Carly could try out the new little mini driver Frank bought for them. I know he's hoping at least one of them picks up golf as a hobby. The girls had a good time learning to hit the ball, but they quickly realized it's not as easy as Daddy makes it look! I took a few swings myself, but unless I have a boob reduction of some sort, I don't think I'll be hitting the links with Frank any time soon! Agghh! It's just not my kind of sport!

Happy Father's Day!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Field Day . . . Texas Style!

Today was Field Day at Emily's elementary school, and the theme this year was "Wild, Wild West!" It was wildly hot and humid out, but the kids still had a good time. Here are some pics . . .

Emily and her friend, Alyssia

Emily's teacher cheers the class on during the famed Tug of War

Emily with her friends, Rachel and Haley

Sydney, Haley, Emily and Rachel

Yee-haw!

Carly Gets Her "Paploma"

Today is officially Carly's last day of preschool. (Hold on . . . let me get some tissues.) Sigh. While I certainly won't miss the commute to and from her preschool every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and while I'm happy about the little raise I'll be getting now that we won't be paying tuition every month, for some reason, I'm really going to miss having a preschooler! I just can't believe how much Carly has grown these last few years. Check this out . . .

First Day of Preschool, August 2004

Last Day of Preschool, May 2008

Carly was so excited to get her "paploma" today at a special advancement ceremony at her preschool. We're so proud of her!

She was even more excited about the after-party with some of her classmates that took place at a local Mexican restaurant.

These are the days to remember!

What Emily Wants to be When She Grows Up . . .

A Teacher. Emily loves to play school. Her favorite pupils are her sister and her Cousin B. It's so funny to listen to her conduct class. It's like getting a small little glimpse into what actually goes on in her real classroom at her elementary school!

An Author and Illustrator. Emily has such a talent for writing, and some of her artwork is exceptional. She has been writing little stories since she was 5 years old, and I've kept many of them. I wouldn't doubt it at all if she is really a published writer one day!

A Mom. Just FYI . . . she's planning to have two girls - - - Cynthia and Matilda. Oh my!

One of My Faves

You have GOT to try this stuff! I received a tube of this in a gift basket last year, and it smells wonderful. It's a fabulous moisterizer to use on your legs after shaving, and you can buy some for yourself here. I'm hooked!

What Carly Wants to be When She Grows Up . . .

A builder. Carly has always been fascinated with constructing things and even has her own little tool set. She loves helping Frank fix things around the house, and she's actually really good at it. Maybe she'll be an architect or an engineer one day!

A CCE teacher. Carly really enjoys going to CCE class on Sundays. Apparently, her teacher has made a positive impression on her.

A Mom. Makes me think maybe I'm doing something right at least some of the time!

Frick and Frack

Carly and her cousin, Brianna (also affectionately known as "B",) enjoyed hanging out with each other today. They're only six months apart in age and love spending time together. While Emily had her weekly tennis lesson, I took Carly and B to the park to run off some energy.

It's so cool to have a cousin for your bestest friend!

Our Own Texas Star!

Carly has been taking a recreational cheer class as an after school activity since January and has had a ball "cheerleadering" (as she likes to call it) with some of her preschool classmates every Monday afternoon. Today was her last class of the spring session, and we were treated to a special performance where all of the girls showed off their skills and performed a little routine they had learned. She was so proud of herself, and we were, too!

Go Carly! Go Carly! Go Carly!

Brownie Pool Party

Today Emily's Brownie Troop celebrated the last meeting of the school year with a fun pool party at her friend, Avery's, house. The girls enjoyed some time swimming, and we were all treated to some great food. Afterward, the girls were recognized with badges earned.

Way to go, Em!

Emily's Latest Artwork

I just love this picture Emily came home from school with last week! She must have been looking forward to Carly's cowgirl birthday party when she created it in art class. I think it's fantastic!

Emily and Carly both really enjoy drawing as evidenced by the millions of pieces of paper you can normally find strewn all about our house (sometimes with just one little doodle or two on each one.) It drives me crazy all the paper they go through, but I know it's good for their creativity. At least that's what I have to remind myself of when I can't find any paper for my printer! Their lastest fascination - - - drawing mermaids as well as brides in wedding gowns.

Monkeying Around

Normally after I pick up Carly from preschool, we either run a quick errand or dash home for a few minutes for Carly to go to the bathroom and get a snack before we motor over to Emily's elementary school to pick her up. Today, however, Carly really wanted to go to the little playground in our neighborhood before picking Emily up, and since the weather outside was absolutely gorgeous, I happily obliged. It was so nice to sit for a while and soak up some sun. Here are a few shots of my little monkey having fun!

Carly's 5th Birthday Party at D-TALK Ranch

Carly celebrated her 5th birthday today with a party at a local ranch. Despite the horrible weather we had last night and early this morning (think major thunderstorm,) the afternoon turned out to be warm and sunny. We were soooo lucky! We had thought about canceling and rescheduling for next weekend, but I'm really glad we decided to wait it out. The kids had a lot of fun riding the horses, dressing goats (see the pictures and you'll understand what this is all about,) going on a hayride, and in general, just gettin' dirty (some more so than others!)

It's a Zoo!

We love animals! The easy-to-take-care-of kind. We've been considering getting a dog for quite a while, but every time I think we're ready, we (meaning Frank and I) wind up talking ourselves out of it. Unlike children, you can't take your dog with you to most places. And my children are now pretty self-sufficient when it comes to going to the bathroom, i.e. they don't have to be let outside to do their business. I also got to thinking lately, "who needs a dog when you already have a zoo?" Check out this little corner of our kitchen . . .

One hermit crab, 2 beta fish, and a whole ant farm.

That's plenty for us for now!

Fantastic Five!

How did this happen?

When did our little baby get to be such a big girl?

Happy 5th birthday, Sunshine Girl!

We love you so very much!

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle . . .

Emily and I spent Earth Day at a day camp with her Brownie Troop at Camp Camwood where we learned some simple ways we can help save the Earth every day. We enjoyed wonderful weather, and the girls had a lot of fun!

Emily with her Brownie friends, Christian and Avery

Having fun with the parachute . . .

Releasing lady bugs

This little one wants to stick around!