Summer seems to be flying by at break-neck speed. I'm ready to slow down and take a breath. (Swim team is almost over so things should ease up at least a little.) We've been to the dentist, which wasn't too bad with these two...(And Jonas was fine, too, but in another room.) However, once again, Amelia was, um, not so fine. She's been going to the dentist for roughly 6 1/2 years and they have NEVER been able to get x-rays of her teeth. They didn't even get the cleaning done. So, of course, we will be going back so they can sedate her and try again. Ugh!

Peter has missed a few more nap times and then fallen asleep wherever he stops. (This time, apparently, after eating a popsicle or something that's still all over his cheeks.)
And after a fun-filled few days in Chicago, Samantha came back bearing gifts. (That bag didn't go with her. I guess the luggage she took wasn't big enough for all of her treasures.)
She got something for both Amelia and Duffy at the American Girl store and then picked out something for each of us at The Fudge Pot. Mmmm. This one is for me and Shawn.
This one is for Samantha. I didn't take the photo fast enough to include the paint brush. It was already eaten.
A ballet shoe for each of the younger girls.
She must love Peter the most because he got a clown and a dinosaur.
Jonas got a large block of fudge which I have been happy to taste test for him.

It's been a busy few days, with more to come. Ah, summer.

Sunday Night Treats

I don't know what it is about Sundays, but it always seems that we get a craving for cookies around here. (Actually, that's not new - it was the same way growing up. It seemed someone would usually make cookies or something "treaty" on Sunday nights.) I don't know if it's just the downtime that Sundays give us or what, but the sugar cravings hit like clockwork. Yesterday, Shawn and Amelia decided to make cookies, but I guess there was some difference of opinion on what type to make. So, they each made their own. Amelia went with funfetti cookies from a cake mix (perfect for the 7 year old crowd to make and eat.) And Shawn went with some chocolate- peanut butter -oat things to take care of his particular craving.
Personally, I enjoyed a few of each. Fortunately, Amelia decided to share some of hers with our friends, the Boydens, so it took some of the pressure off of me having to eat all of them. (Phew!)
She was very particular about her frosting plans/colors as well.
Now if only we could work on getting the kids a little more involved in the clean-up as well.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

We got home from Bear Lake with just enough time to drop off the kids, grab Samantha's pre-packed suitcase and head to the airport to send her off to Chicago to visit Grandpa Quincy and Granny Franny. She definitely got the princess treatment - since she was traveling alone, we got to move to the front of the enormous security line. I was a little nervous about sending her off on her own, but she couldn't get on the plane fast enough once they opened the doors. She didn't even pause long enough for us to get a picture of her - just turned and walked off with her suitcase and American Girl doll in hand. We had to settle for pictures of her plane instead.
I was glad that she arrived safely and didn't get sick on the plane. And I know she is currently having the time of her life wandering through the American Girl store. (She called me.) She is in the perfect place for a 10 year old girl. Plus she 's got some other fun things on her itinerary. We'll just have to plan some fun things, too so we don't feel like we're missing out too much.

Bear Lake Weekend

We spent the weekend at one of our all time favorite places - Ideal Beach at Bear Lake. Lots of other people had the same idea and it was a bit more crowded than when Shawn and the kids went up at the beginning of June - but not so much that we couldn't still enjoy ourselves.

I always love the view from the patio. And the high water level was awesome!

The girls went to the swimming pool and played some tennis and we spent some time on the boat. It was nice to have the marina so full.

When the afternoon rough water hit, we headed in to shore to play. Here's Jonas heading off to deeper waters.

Amelia and Duffy splashing in the water.

Me enjoying my view from the boat. (And watching as Shawn makes his way out to rescue Jonas. It's clear that he has a little work to do before he can earn his rowing merit badge.)

Samantha getting ready for her open water swim.

Peter doing his best to steer clear of the cold water.

Samantha hitched a ride back in from her swim.

Shawn and Amelia taking the raft out for a spin.

Amelia pestered us endlessly about climbing the coconut trees, so we finally gave in. She thought it was awesome. I was sure she would get scared when she got up a ways, but she didn't, and ended up climbing all 3 trees.

Her adoring audience.

Up close and personal.

I guess Shawn thought we hadn't taken enough pictures for the weekend, so he took lots of her climbing to make up for it.

She got a trophy for her efforts.

Later in the evening when the waves had calmed down, we headed back out on the boat.




Of course, there was also a trip to La Beau's for shakes and some reading to make the trip complete. The kids' only complaint was that the trip wasn't long enough. I agree wholeheartedly!

Ballet Camp

My girls were so excited for ballet camp this year since they have thoroughly enjoyed it previously. (Unfortunately, there wasn't a class for Samantha's age group this year and she was pretty upset.) Instead of going once a week for 5 weeks, Miss Natalie did her camp every day for 1 week. And instead of a garden party for the girls on the last day, they had a little performance in the yard of Miss Connie's house. (The grounds at this house - and yes, there really is no other word to use than grounds - yard just doesn't cut it - are absolutely beautiful.) Since Duffy's group was the first one of the day, there was a little set up time where they were just waiting, so I tried to get a couple shots of Duff and Ainsley.
Her performance ended up being moved to the basketball court because the grass was still so wet from the dew. The background was still beautiful. (And so were the dancers.)
One of the favorite parts of ballet camp is the costumes that they get to take home. Megan has spent a significant amount of time in her fairy costume.

Or maybe they're imps?

This girl knows how to pose for photos.

We came back later in the day for Amelia's and Ellie's performance. (Amelia was lucky enough to have 2 other friends in her class, too- Caroline and Romney. But somehow I missed getting pictures of them together.)

Amelia, Ellie and Miss Natalie's little girl.

It's so fun to have cousins to do things with.

Part of their performance was a maypole dance.

My girls with Miss Natalie.

As mentioned earlier, the house and gardens are beautiful. There is a little pathway behind some trees that the girls wanted to take me on. It's a fairy path. All along the way, you can find little fairy houses

and toadstools

and gnomes (these are favorites of my girls since watching Gnomeo and Juliette)

and little fairy chairs.

I just couldn't help thinking the whole time how much fun my girls would have playing back there. I could see them spending hours everyday searching for fairies or playing make believe. (I also thought I would have done the same if it were available to me.)
One day, I would love to be able to create a little path like this in my yard. (My list of projects is endless.) A perfect end to ballet camp.