Milk

Starting introducing Harper to milk so we didn't have to go off of it cold turkey at 12 months. She has not been a big fan yet. In the picture above she is giving me "the look".

Then she just plays with the cup!

But nope...she does not like the milk cup!

Our little cheerleader

What have we gotten ourselves into???

Grace has asked many times about taking cheerleading. The cost is crazy, the time is crazy and I really didn't know if that is what she would want to do (or what I wanted her to do). But then I heard from a friend about a mini camp being put on by a local high school. The cost sounded right, I didn't have to buy uniforms and it was just four evenings...so we signed her up. Well she LOVED it. Chad was so sad to see how happy she was. He really wanted her to be 100% into soccer. But she has assured him that she can do both. So I am not sure what our next plan is with cheerleading. Luckily the age for sign up doesn't start till 1st grade so we have one more year to see if she is still wanting to be a ... Cheerleader. For now we will just continue to hear her practice her cheers (daily) and practice her cartwheels.

Grace's first night

The last night the parents were invited to come and watch their child and see what they had learned. I was impressed with all that Grace learned from these high school girl in just four short days. The camp was really great, they had snack, crafts, tumbling, cheers, stunts and a little dance. And you might remember back to Grace's ballet recital when she stood on stage and did nothing...this time she performed!

Grace and her friend Austyn

One of the high school girls - Kari

The title Grace got this week!

Olivia waiting to watch her big sissy

Rylen and Harper waiting to see the girls

First sleepover

Back in the fall of 2010 Robyn and I had lightly suggested that a sleepover for the girls should be coming soon. Well the girls heard and they did not let the idea down. SO, 7 months later we finally had our first sleepover. Erin and Grace were super excited about it. I was a little nervous about two little girls being up all night or one of them getting home sick. But it was a great first experience and I am sure the first of many, many more.

The picture above is of the girls the morning after. They thought they looked like twins because they had matching shorts. I love the spontaneous hand holding.

I wanted to make sure that we had two tired girls! So the sleepover was the same day as a Monkey Joe/CFA playdate. I took them all swimming. We order pizza! And finished the night with a camp fire with smores.

Grace had in her mind that they needed to sleep in sleeping bags on the den floor. They giggled for a few minutes but were asleep around 9:30!

I was one

Yep...I became one of those moms.

One of those moms that my kids will be SO embarrassed of when they see these pictures in a few years but on this day...we had fun!

I took my girls (along with my two friends April and Robyn) to Cow Appreciation Day. If we dressed like cows we got free meals. Robyn and I decided it wouldn't be as much fun unless we dressed up too.

Felt black spots, head bands for ears, pink noses, a printed sign and we became Chick-fil-a cows.

Fun times with friends.

The whole crew of kids...Tyler, Olivia, Grace, Harper, Erin, Austyn and Rylen

Harper sat down at the end of the table with the big kids. She thought she was hot stuff.

I tired to get a picture of the girls with the cow. Erin and Grace were the only brave ones to get their pictures made. Harper wasn't scared but was completely intrigued by this large walking cow or "dogdog" as she called it. It was so hard to get a picture because I was laughing so hard at Harper.

Sweet Harper watching to see where the cow is at all times.

Memories

These are the memories I hope my girls remember. Not just the zoo, parks, parties but the true joy of spontaneous fun.We had gone out to eat one night and when we left we were surprised to find it raining. As Chad and I ran to the van as fast as we could, the girls were being dragged by us giggling and trying to hit every puddle. I think it was the first time I prayed it wouldn't stop raining by the time we got home. As soon as we pulled into the driveway I surprised every one by getting out of the car and spinning around in the rain. The girls had pure smiles on their faces. The twirled around in circles, splashed in puddles, tried to catch rain on their tongues and the best sound ever...giggles.

Little Fish

Being a little sister has some perks! After swim lessons in the middle of June (remember Olivia cried during 50% of them) where Olivia showed no interest of swimming on her own she is now a little fish!

While we were at the lake, during July 4th week, Heather came over for a pool day. She suggested for Olivia to take off her floaties and swim. Without hesitation, she did it. Some how Heather gave her confidence and courage.

And then there was no turning back. Olivia was SO proud of herself and wanting to swim again and again and again. I have to say I was one proud mama too!

She even jumped off the side of the pool and swam to the stairs!

July 4th Weekend

July 4th weekend was spent at Maw Maw and Paw Paw's lakehouse. We went up on a Saturday and stayed through the next Thursday. We always have so much fun there. It's like a mini vacation. We did our normal lake activities of swimming, waverunner, golf rides, movies, etc. We were also blessed to have Maw Maw watch Harper as we went to take the big girls to a movie and to see Heather sing.

I almost didn't by 4th of July outfits but decided to at the last minute. So excited to find Grace and Olivia's shirts on sale at Gymboree for $5 bucks! And Harper's is a hand me down.

Harper made it through the fireworks with a bottle and pj's.

Chad was a good daddy and uncle and played with sparklers with the kiddos.

I was so surprised how brave Olivia was.

VBS

Grace had her first experience with Vacation Bible School during the last week of June. Our church had a camp during the week we were at the beach so she attended at the church she went to preschool at. Grayson UMC did a fantastic job with over 400 kids. Grace was in a group of five kids her age and two leaders. Both her leaders were young, one in middle school and one in high school. Grace LOVES hanging out with older kids. I am pretty sure by the end of the week she knew the names of the the helpers and not the kids in her group. Grace had a great time learning new stories from the bible, crafts, snacks (she loved the snacks), games (her favorite were the water ones) and worship music.

Grace and Bethany

Grace and Stephen

My little cookers

What mama wouldn't want these three helping in the kitchen?!

Grace and Olivia

These two really are the best of friends. This summer they have made a tighter connection. They have great giggles together. Grace defiantly is the leader in this relationship but she lets Olivia play mommy, teacher, etc. too. They do fight and yell at each other but they get over it really fast. Grace is a great big sister to Olivia. Just this afternoon Grace was going cartwheels on the trampoline. Olivia wanted to be just like her and was attempting to do her own tricks. Grace yelled for me to come watch Olivia and see how good she was doing. Grace was so encouraging to her dealing her how well she is. Then Grace looked at me and grinned, the grin of I know she isn't that good but she has no idea.

These pictures are from one afternoon of baking cookies. A lot of people have told me how much they look alike. I don't see it. I see two different girls both cute as can be.