Juliet started pulling up and was so proud of herself!
Juliet stands up all by herself!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3yVOa3aTZY
Juliet is learning to get right in the mix of fun and sister play time. Ponies are a favorite around here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj9u5gVg7E0
Ella had her four year old wellness visit in August. She is doing great and was the bravest girl when it was time to get some shots.
Spontaneous summer afternoons filled with sunshine, lots of water, popsicles, good friends and no time limits are the best kind.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra7112dg38s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY21vjne2MU
When the whole crawling thing is still exhausting...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hNQIxSyVqA
They woke up to a chill in the air and ran to their closet to put on their newest sweaters made by Nagymama.
This year, dance camp was extra fun because I was asked to be a teacher. The girls were excited to have their mommy as the pop teacher for the week. It is so sweet to me to see the delight on their faces when I address the class or lead in some way. Their eyes make it clear that I have VIP status in their hearts. "That's MY mommy, guys!" It blesses me more than anything. Having the opportunity to teach dance is a little dream come true for me too! I loved teaching all the girls, ranging in age from 4-13. We had a blast.
In order to be available to teach that week, I had to call in reinforcements. It took a village to coordinate the girls' schedules and make sure everyone was taken care of. Without Grandma, Grammy, Ms. Megan and Joe, I wouldn't have been able to make it happen.
My mom came for the first half of the week and took on the first days of Juliet's challenging transition. It was definitely a switch for Juliet to be away from me for six hours and not be able to nurse before nap times. She let my mom know how she felt about it, but they found their rhythm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcFWXLRgbeI
I took my mom out for a belated birthday celebration and mother daughter date...
...and then we came to home to celebrate Grandma's birthday with everyone else and Ella's leftover ice cream cake. :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5l-7ZOyGDk
At camp, we gave the girls a few ideas and they created beautiful art! I loved that not one was exactly the same!
Anna Kate offered to come over one afternoon and help the girls organize their playroom. After lunch, the girls went downstairs and got started. There was no arguing or complaining about cleaning because Anna Kate had a magical way of keeping the girls motivated the whole time. It was an amazing gift to me in the middle of a busy week.
It was such a sweet week at dance camp with these lovely girls. So thankful for the opportunity to teach them and watch them grow in confidence as they learned some new moves and had lots of fun! I was so proud of them. Plus, who doesn't love some Justin Timberlake on repeat!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZvS_PS7ZMg
Grammy came to help us for the second half of the week! On Grammy's last night and our last night of dance camp, we went bowling! It was a fun family time. :)
A fun night of dinner and bowling with Grammy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyU52y2vjXs
Our little cheerleader watching the action and munching on mac and cheese balls like T.G.I.F
A hot afternoon called for an inside break and fort building.
When you are finally big enough to hang with your big sisters in their cool fort...
We did our best to soak up the last days of summer.
A fun morning spent with friends followed by ice cream next to the cows
Abby, Makena, Ella and Isabel
With a few years of school under our belt, we've started a sweet little tradition without even realizing it. School supply shopping has become a special mommy-daughter date. Not a group mommy-daughter date. Each girl gets a time to go pick out school supplies and have quality time alone with mom. First stop is Starbucks where the girls get to pick out their own "fancy" drink before we head to pick out new folders and crayons. We spend time together while we chat about all the things they are most excited about as they get ready for a new school year. It's a fun way to connect with each girl before they head back to school.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YyUg_HS5d0
August 13, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-PhJ9zE-MQ
Abby decided she felt too old to play with the library toys, so she sat in the chair and read books by herself instead. What is happening? Where did my baby go?
This is what it looks like when Daddy is telling an imaginary story and it takes a turn that they don't like...
(Good thing Daddy's stories always have happy endings.)
The whole house was quiet on a Sunday afternoon. This guy has no problem reminding me to rest. Way more important than getting a head start on dinner or crossing something off my never ending long list. He really is the best buddy ever.
I snapped this picture one morning after church and when I saw it I thought...when did Abby and Ella become the same age?
Another baby tooth gone. Our girls teach us so much about true childlike faith believing who God says He is. One night at dinner, Abby was so upset because her tooth was really loose, but also annoyingly painful. It needed to come out, but she couldn't get it out. She wanted to eat dinner, but felt like she couldn't. In all of her frustration, she prayed that God would take her tooth out in the middle of the night while she was sleeping. Guess who was standing over me at two in the morning because she woke up and her tooth was out of her mouth on her pillow. She was trying to keep her voice down, but couldn't help herself as she rejoiced with little squeals and whispers.
"Mommy...Mommy...God did it. He took it out. He took my tooth out for me! I knew he heard me, but he also answered YES!"
Abby: Mommy are those holes in your pants on purpose?
Me: Yes they are!
Abby: I love them. They make me think of one word....cool
I think it's safe to say this beauty looks a little bit like her daddy!
I caved. I took off my bright nail polish and opted for a darker cranberry shade. Then, I changed my chalkboard and made it back to school ready. I'm not quite ready yet, just easing in.
