Just for fun

After a long, tiring week with the kids that made me joke to Chet about boarding school for all 3 kids (!), I welcomed these sweet moments in the last few days.

 

Camille dressed herself this morning to match Bella- down to the headband and sweater buttoned at the top. Truthfully, still not sure why Bella is even wearing a sweater and jeans in August! 

 Bella's ADORABLE note to the tooth fairy (for her 2nd lost tooth) that brought tears to my eyes. 

Her tooth was very loose but Camille accidentally knocked it out.

Bella was happy to find $1 under her pillow and a reply from the tooth fairy. In case you wanted to know, the TF said that she makes magic fairy dust with the teeth.

 A boy and his cat enjoying breakfast! Since Chet will be embarassed if I share that he LOVES this cat and vice versa, I won't say anything. ;-)

Finally, a husband who is never too busy or late for work to make us laugh. Here he is 'posing' with Piper. Piper may not love him as much after seeing this candid shot!

That's how she rolls

 Bella is the resident gymnast at our house. She spends most of the day (no matter where she is) doing her tumbling. So, when she was invited to join the team at her gym, she was thrilled! At her age/skill, it's only 4 hrs/week which is manageable for us right now and will allow her to grow at her speed. 

Even though she had her first tiring 2 hr practice tonight (that ended after 8pm), she was so energized and excited for her next class in a few days. As soon as she got home, she ran into the living room and started doing her tumbling skills- didn't she have enough of that already?? I had to force her into the tub so she could get ready for bed and rested for school! :-) 

1st day of school

Another summer ending, another 1st day of school!

We had such a great time this summer and I don't think that any of us were quite ready for school to begin. The girls had new teachers this year- new to the school that is- so they were unsure of what to expect. Luckily, after meeting them, they loved their teachers and it will be a great year!

 

Julia- going into her last year at Pima Butte Elem with Mrs. Graham

Bella- going into 2nd grade with Mrs. Copeland

Last week of summer

 During our last week of summer, the girls had a blast (thanks to grandparent's and antsy dads). :-)

They spent a few days at my parent's house in Prescott Valley where they swam, played outside and went to a play.

They also got to spend the night and Nanny and Papa's house with cousin Madison. 

Watching the Olympics on their gigantic TV

After swimming all day. When Camille crashes on the recliner, you know it's been a good day!

 

As Chet's mom likes to say, Chet has "ants in his pants" and doesn't like sitting at home. Instead of watching even more Olympics as we had that weekend, Chet wanted to go for a short drive. In the summer, there really isn't any close destination that is worth the drive so Chet suggested Tortilla Flats. Even as a native Arizonan, I still had to think twice about where Tortilla Flats (pop. 6) is?? It's mostly a touristy stop on the way to the lake but for us, it was fun to mingle with the tourists, eat ice cream and play in the creek.   

 

HAPPY END OF SUMMER!

So soon?

What?? Julia and Bella return to school in 1.5 weeks. I can honestly say that I feel that the summer flew by too quickly and despite the heat and the increased bickering, I am not ready to release them for 7 hrs/day again. I know that we have done a lot of fun stuff this summer but now I am kicking it into high gear and trying to fill the remaining days with even more memories! Last week, we went to the Children's Museum (their 1st pick of summer ideas), to a kids' yoga class near our house and ended it with a sleepover at Nanny and Papa's house. This week they are at my parent's house for a few days. After all this, I think I can send them off to school with a wonderful summer under their belt!

 

 

 

 

The world according to Piper

For a rescue kitten, Piper has certainly grown accustom to the love and attention she gets! Chet says she is spoiled but let's be honest- he does a lot of the spoiling (see below). :-)

 

Even our 14 year old Boston Terrier is obsessed with her. 

 

 Piper's preferred place to sleep! It's not comfortable having a furry scarf sleeping on your chest but I love it anyway!

Should I be worried that Chet mentioned that the premise of the movie "We bought a zoo" is his ideal life???

Piper

And Piper makes 4 (animals, that is)!

 Chet, the biggest animal lover in the house, just sold his fish tank and I think his nest felt a little empty (variation of his own words!) because he decided to surprise us with a kitten. We chose 3 month old Piper from a group of adorable rescue kittens. She was the most timid of the group which drew me to her. She is very sweet and loving, and likes to play. She is not fond of Lucy- our bigger dog- so we are acclimating her very slowly. Until we move into a bigger house, I think Piper is our last furry friend! :-)