What happens on vacations doesn't really stay on vacations...

especially when you come home looking like this....20 weeks later....and the surprising news is that it is possible for us to make a boy....now what do we do with a boy? (other than absolutely love him of course)...

The First Day of School!

Wow school started early this year and wow summer was way too short! Wow the house was quiet that afternoon and wow Jocelyn took a great nap!...I do really miss the girls and I catch myself clock watching until I can pick them up BUT it is nice to be able to get a couple hours of jobs done and have Jocelyn have a little peace.

Anyway, Cami started second grade and has a super nice teacher who she loves. Her teacher is really young but energetic and works really hard to challenge Cami. Taryn got lucky and got the same fab teacher Cami had in kindergarten. I must admit I was pretty worried for Taryn to be in such a structured place but so far so good. She has made new buddies quickly and came home with new phone numbers for play dates on the first day.

Taryn had a week of testing then got to start "real" school. This is a picture of the first day of "real" school. She is really proud of her backpack and yes, she did insist on the black leather when it was over 100 degrees....

TA-DA!!!! All ready to go but like three hours early.....

Taryn on her first day of school (just a testing day). She chose out just the perfect dress and of course insisted on curls in her hair.

Doesn't she look so grown up? What a pretty kid!

Cami anxious to get moving on her first day. We went to 7-yes 7-stores before she was satisfied with this bag and lunch box...She was excited to look older and doesn't really want any babyish cartoon stuff on her bags anymore....

Happily leaving the house and Taryn jealously watching from behind (in a nice way)...

So here's to a good happy year and tons of learning (and playing)!

Swimming lessons

What we for reals spent most of our summer doing was swimming. The girls made a lot of progress and can't wait for next year's lessons. Jocelyn even tried getting naked a few times and yelled "WA WA! WA WA! (water water) wanting to get in. I think I'll probably start her next summer.

The pool is obviously outdoors and not heated which made for some serious shivers with such a mild summer... BUT from my sitting in the 100 degree sunshine the shivers looked welcoming. Anyway here is what we did mostly every day all summer.

Taryn swimming across the pool.

Taryn distracting her friend...

Taryn kicking hard enough to splash everyone...

Taryn learning how to breath and swim at the same time.

Cami telling me to go away and quit taking pictures...

Cami learning chicken star rocket (elementary backstroke I think)...

At the beginning of the summer Cami would stop here at the side every trip down or back...By the end she could make it down and back without the stop.

Peek a boo!

The other day I could NOT find Taryn...I was starting to get a little concerned then she started to laugh....She had been holding really silently still to try and trick me. Very tricky indeed!

Father's Day

I love that our kids get really into holidays. They scheme and plan for weeks about all the surprises they are going to do. Cami always makes a homemade book and Taryn always makes snowflakes or cards in commemoration. We always make a banner for the kitchen for birthdays or holidays and breakfast in bed is a must. So for Father's Day the girls helped with breakfast in bed, then gave Dad gifts, and had Brent take a nap in his hammock while we made a fancy dinner. We even used the China.

Cami's gift was particularly fun for Brent. She made him a book with pictures of her favorite memories with him. The one he liked best was a picture of the two of them upside down on California Screaming Roller coaster. Cami's pony tails were sticking straight up and her mouth was open screaming. Brent had hands in the air and a big smile. Probably a very accurate account of their ride. What a good kid! Brent is a good Dad and he is lucky to have such beautiful good girls!

Oh look! Good things come from Bed Bath and Beyond! In this case a waffle iron and three little girls...

THE NAP which can be so elusive in our house..... not to mention weather cool enough to be outside in June is pretty elusive too-perfect afternoon!

Dinner with place mats, candles, and china.... Fancy smanchy!