A Summer of Firsts....

1st Day of Kindergarten

Happy Birthday!

Playing

Backseat rider

Wow! So I have taken a little break from blogging recently. I'd like to say it is because we had to get a new computer but that would be 60 days over due. I think all I can say is that I have been enjoying my family over the past summer months.

We have had a summer of firsts. Olivia learned to waterski, swim, and just started kindergarten. Olivia learned to waterski with her grandma and me in the fishing boat after a few attempts. She really loves to ski and is proud that she is able to do it better than her boy cousins. Her only concern is that we don't go "too fast." Her swimming skills really developed after spending a full week at the lake swimming with her cousin Amiah. Olivia has depended on a life jacket or a noodle for many summers. Seeing Amiah without either, created a determined swimmer in Olivia. After about 3 days of swimming, she was soon comfortable enough to play in the deeper parts without a life jacket and swim to the raft. Her father and I are so proud of how much she has grown up this summer but also a little sad. Olivia is a leader in her class but HATES wearing uniforms. She thinks they have too many boy colors and wishes that she could wear pink. We have rectified this by wearing a pink bow in her hair daily. Haha school administers who will not let her wear colored shoes, socks or belts. Hair ribbons are her form of self expression. Sometimes she even wears two! I am also very happy to have a daily family portrait sent home on the back of all of her class assignments but saddened at how quickly hugging mom has turned into "uncool." Why do they have to grow up so fast?

Ava has quickly changed from the quiet baby girl to a shining, sparkling, vivacious little girl. Her biggest accomplishment this summer is getting rid of diapers! (this is a HUGE feat for her Mom & Dad because we have been dealing with diapers for what seems like 5 years now! Hello, extra $30 bucks a week...what am I gonna do with it now??) Ava loves to color, play with bubbles, and swim. Her favorite toys at the moment are her oversized Elmo missing one eye, piglet, and any princess dress she can find. We usually have several outfit changes each night and then a few meltdowns before bedtime searching for her Elmo and piglet which can be found under a pile of princess dresses on the floor. Oh, little girls!

Both of my girls are so loving. Ava frequently asks for extra hugs and kisses and Olivia still steals time on my lap. Looking back on my life, I never would have thought it could be as thrilling, joyful, and fulfilling. We are truly lucky to have these little ladies.