The girlz had new Hello Kitty necklaces at their spots this morning to mark the occasion. Breakfast went well and the bus came right on time. I can hardly wait to see them this afternoon and hear about their first day of the school year!
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
First Day of School 2014-2015
We now have a first grader and a fourth grader!
The girlz had new Hello Kitty necklaces at their spots this morning to mark the occasion. Breakfast went well and the bus came right on time. I can hardly wait to see them this afternoon and hear about their first day of the school year!
The girlz had new Hello Kitty necklaces at their spots this morning to mark the occasion. Breakfast went well and the bus came right on time. I can hardly wait to see them this afternoon and hear about their first day of the school year!
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Fun, Fun, Fun
We packed some serious fun and shopping into the last four days. Over the weekend, I took each girl out one at the time to shop for a few new school outfits and shoes. On Monday and Tuesday, the three of us spent all day doing fun things.
The girlz call these days our "Fun Fun Days" but that's because they don't understand the term "Mandatory Fun". As usual, we rang in the new school year with a blast.
We didn't waste a minute of our time together! Mandatory Fun days are the BEST days!
The girlz are asleep and their new backpacks are full of new school supplies. Lunches have been prepped and the alarms have been set. We're ready for the first day of school!!
The girlz call these days our "Fun Fun Days" but that's because they don't understand the term "Mandatory Fun". As usual, we rang in the new school year with a blast.
Fort Fun
Lunar Golf
Campbell on the Sky Jumper
Cassidy on the Sky Jumper
Bowling
Spa treatments at Sweet Treats Spa
We didn't waste a minute of our time together! Mandatory Fun days are the BEST days!
The girlz are asleep and their new backpacks are full of new school supplies. Lunches have been prepped and the alarms have been set. We're ready for the first day of school!!
Friday, August 22, 2014
And Just Like That...
... the Summer of 2014 has come and gone.
I completed my last act as Royal Camp Chauffeur this afternoon when I picked Cassidy up from Computer Engineering Camp. I'm on the verge of converting back to a normal work day again, and it's such a relief.
The girlz LOVE summer camps. And I love that they have such positive and enriching camp experiences. Every summer hasn't been full of winners, but we certainly hit the jackpot this time!
I won't lie - I dread the summer just as much as they look forward to it. Summers are HARD for me. REALLY hard. Trying to maintain a work/life balance is nearly impossible when the demands of life practically take over and push everything else out of the way. I end up squeezing 50+ hours of work into cracks and crevises of time throughout the day - a few hours in between driving girls back and forth to camp, another few hours after the nightly line-up of dance classes, and another few hours after the girlz are in bed and the daily load of dirty camp towels and bathing suits have been washed and repacked into backpacks.
It's been exhausting.
I'm ready to have my morning exercise time back.
I'm ready for that blessed, glorious school bus to shuttle my people back and forth to school.
I'm ready for the house to be quiet during the day so I can hear myself think.
And yet when I think about the Summer of 2014, I'm deeply grateful for the time the girlz have had to stretch their wings and experience things they normally wouldn't. Cassidy spent her first week at overnight camp and loved it so much she didn't want to come home. Campbell learned how to swim underwater and float by herself (thanks, Mama!). Cassidy climbed to the top of the Alpine Tower and Campbell was selected as Camper of the Session at Camp Arrowhead. Cassidy created her very own computer game. Campbell launched a rocket at VBS. Cassidy started learning how to play the clarinet and Campbell is now an expert in fire safety.
So in spite of the mind-numbing amount of time I've spent in my car (far too much for someone who works from home), it's truly been a terrific summer.
Next up are our Mandatory Fun days, and by the middle of next week we'll be sending a first grader and fourth grader back to school! YAY!!!!!!!
I completed my last act as Royal Camp Chauffeur this afternoon when I picked Cassidy up from Computer Engineering Camp. I'm on the verge of converting back to a normal work day again, and it's such a relief.
The girlz LOVE summer camps. And I love that they have such positive and enriching camp experiences. Every summer hasn't been full of winners, but we certainly hit the jackpot this time!
I won't lie - I dread the summer just as much as they look forward to it. Summers are HARD for me. REALLY hard. Trying to maintain a work/life balance is nearly impossible when the demands of life practically take over and push everything else out of the way. I end up squeezing 50+ hours of work into cracks and crevises of time throughout the day - a few hours in between driving girls back and forth to camp, another few hours after the nightly line-up of dance classes, and another few hours after the girlz are in bed and the daily load of dirty camp towels and bathing suits have been washed and repacked into backpacks.
It's been exhausting.
I'm ready to have my morning exercise time back.
I'm ready for that blessed, glorious school bus to shuttle my people back and forth to school.
I'm ready for the house to be quiet during the day so I can hear myself think.
And yet when I think about the Summer of 2014, I'm deeply grateful for the time the girlz have had to stretch their wings and experience things they normally wouldn't. Cassidy spent her first week at overnight camp and loved it so much she didn't want to come home. Campbell learned how to swim underwater and float by herself (thanks, Mama!). Cassidy climbed to the top of the Alpine Tower and Campbell was selected as Camper of the Session at Camp Arrowhead. Cassidy created her very own computer game. Campbell launched a rocket at VBS. Cassidy started learning how to play the clarinet and Campbell is now an expert in fire safety.
So in spite of the mind-numbing amount of time I've spent in my car (far too much for someone who works from home), it's truly been a terrific summer.
Next up are our Mandatory Fun days, and by the middle of next week we'll be sending a first grader and fourth grader back to school! YAY!!!!!!!
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Engineering Camp
The girlz have been at Engineering Camp this week. We had planned on doing Lego Robotics Camp at church, but the camp was cancelled a few weeks ago due to low enrollment. I hunted around and found an Engineering Camp, which met our needs perfectly - half-day program, convenient location, and programming meant to engage their minds.
Campbell's program was Engineering for Pirates, and they did all kinds of engineering-based pirate activities. Cassidy's program was the Engineering of Game Design, and they built their own computer games. They have both LOVED it.
I was a little unsure of this camp because I'd never once heard any of my friends mention the program. We visited the site and let the girlz check things out before deciding if they wanted to go.
They made a great decision - they've had a terrific week!
Campbell's program was Engineering for Pirates, and they did all kinds of engineering-based pirate activities. Cassidy's program was the Engineering of Game Design, and they built their own computer games. They have both LOVED it.
I was a little unsure of this camp because I'd never once heard any of my friends mention the program. We visited the site and let the girlz check things out before deciding if they wanted to go.
They made a great decision - they've had a terrific week!
Cassidy drew these characters herself!
Campbell and her pirate ship
The apple doesn't fall far...
Friday, August 15, 2014
Family Fun NIght
We decided to do something different tonight and take the girlz bowling. We rarely go bowling, so the girlz were thrilled!
They had such a good time, I'm actually thinking about taking them back for our Mandatory Fun days next week. if we have time and can fit it in, it's a definite possibility!
They had such a good time, I'm actually thinking about taking them back for our Mandatory Fun days next week. if we have time and can fit it in, it's a definite possibility!
Monday, August 11, 2014
Princess Selfies
We got to witness my cousin get married Saturday night, and the girlz really enjoyed the whole experience. My main focus throughout the night was making sure they didn't run amok, start running around, and then accidentally bump into something or knock someone down.
The best way to do that? Selfies. Lots and lots of selfies.
Because I was completely focused on keeping the girlz calm and safely out of the way, I have no pictures of the bride or the ceremony or the food.
But I have a nice stack of Princess Selfies!
The best way to do that? Selfies. Lots and lots of selfies.
Because I was completely focused on keeping the girlz calm and safely out of the way, I have no pictures of the bride or the ceremony or the food.
But I have a nice stack of Princess Selfies!
Waiting for the reception to begin...
Carlton, Pop, and Papa -- three of the coolest guys I know.
Reception Selfies!
What a fun night!!
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Police Picnic 2014
The police department holds a super-nice Friends and Family picnic each year. The assortment of delicious picnic foods is just the beginning. For those with a sweet tooth, there's no shortage of yummies - funnel cake, ice cream, cotton candy, popcorn, and snow cones. There's also a petting zoo, pony rides, bounce houses, cornhole, volleyball games, temporary tattoos, K9 demonstrations, and lots of prizes.
The weather was absolutely perfect this year, and we all had a terrific afternoon. Sadly, Cassidy had dance and wasn't able to come. Campbell was really sweet and brought home a bag of cotton candy for her sister.
Such a FUN afternoon!!
The weather was absolutely perfect this year, and we all had a terrific afternoon. Sadly, Cassidy had dance and wasn't able to come. Campbell was really sweet and brought home a bag of cotton candy for her sister.
Such a FUN afternoon!!
Campbell got a Doc McStuffins tattoo!
Pony Rides
Bouncy Slide
Friday, August 8, 2014
Fire Camp 2014
Both girlz were old enough to attend Fire Camp this year. And once again, our local fire department delivered in a major way. The amount of quality information the kids bring home is amazing, and they LOVE the hands-on activities they get to enjoy around the fire station. I'm so thankful to have a fire department that takes such an active interest in teaching and mentoring the children of our city!
The Fire Camp Graduation Ceremony was this afternoon, and now we have two very sad girlz in our house. If it were up to them, they would go to Fire Camp every week of the summer!!
Great job, girlz!!
The Fire Camp Graduation Ceremony was this afternoon, and now we have two very sad girlz in our house. If it were up to them, they would go to Fire Camp every week of the summer!!
Great job, girlz!!
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
It's About That Time Again
Look what we bought last weekend...
New backpacks and lunchboxes!! Campbell chose a Doc McStuffins backpack and lunchbox, and Cassidy chose a really cool Monster High backpack and an Ever After High lunchbox.
I can't believe it's almost time for school!
New backpacks and lunchboxes!! Campbell chose a Doc McStuffins backpack and lunchbox, and Cassidy chose a really cool Monster High backpack and an Ever After High lunchbox.
I can't believe it's almost time for school!
Monday, August 4, 2014
The Sunday Slime
Our VBS had a science theme this year. The curriculum was written by a former Science Teacher who left the classroom to become a Youth Pastor. The purpose of this curriculum was to tie science and Christianity together in a week full of real science experiments, scripture-based learning, music, and FUN!
As part of the program, the children were asked to collect non-perishable food for our local food bank. If they collected at least 300 items, our Associate Pastor would get slimed in church.
Well, those crazy kids blew that goal out of the water - they collected over 400 items for the food bank! Our Youth Group will be delivering the food this week.
LT had been called into work in the middle of the night, and was still at work when we got to church this morning. I really wanted him to see it, so I videoed the sliming. Turns out, he had gotten to church in the middle of the sermon and was watching from the back!
To put what Pastor Brent says just before the sliming into perspective, it was the very end of the church service and he had just delivered a sermon on Psalm 139:23: "Search me, oh God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts."
He's a funny guy.
The white things flying through the air are marshmallows. The kids built catapults during the week, and used them to launch marshmallows at the Pastor just after the big sliming.
I'm so thankful our girlz are growing up in a church that genuinely LOVES and understands children. Our Director of Children's Ministries is the one wearing the black shirt, and she's beyond amazing. God has given her quite a gift!
As part of the program, the children were asked to collect non-perishable food for our local food bank. If they collected at least 300 items, our Associate Pastor would get slimed in church.
Well, those crazy kids blew that goal out of the water - they collected over 400 items for the food bank! Our Youth Group will be delivering the food this week.
LT had been called into work in the middle of the night, and was still at work when we got to church this morning. I really wanted him to see it, so I videoed the sliming. Turns out, he had gotten to church in the middle of the sermon and was watching from the back!
To put what Pastor Brent says just before the sliming into perspective, it was the very end of the church service and he had just delivered a sermon on Psalm 139:23: "Search me, oh God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts."
He's a funny guy.
The white things flying through the air are marshmallows. The kids built catapults during the week, and used them to launch marshmallows at the Pastor just after the big sliming.
I'm so thankful our girlz are growing up in a church that genuinely LOVES and understands children. Our Director of Children's Ministries is the one wearing the black shirt, and she's beyond amazing. God has given her quite a gift!
Friday, August 1, 2014
Girls Rule!
Aunt Harley decided a while back that we needed a Girls Only Day at Busch Gardens. Since our VBS ends on Thursday, we had all decided today would be the best day. I packed up the girlz this morning and headed to Williamsburg with Mama. We got to ride in the Jeep, which the girlz thought was outstanding -- not only did we get to ride with Mama, but the Jeep has a DVD player in it!
The temperature was mild and the sky was overcast. It drizzled a few times, but we didn't have to deal with any big rain storms -- so it was actually a really great day to be in the park. The forecast seemed to have kept the huge crowds away, it wasn't blazing hot, and it wasn't really raining. Perfect!
Needless to say, the girlz had an absolutely TERRIFIC day. They loved every second of it!!
What a super-fun girls day!!!! Girls Rule!
The temperature was mild and the sky was overcast. It drizzled a few times, but we didn't have to deal with any big rain storms -- so it was actually a really great day to be in the park. The forecast seemed to have kept the huge crowds away, it wasn't blazing hot, and it wasn't really raining. Perfect!
Needless to say, the girlz had an absolutely TERRIFIC day. They loved every second of it!!
Cassidy nailed the people in this boat with a blast of water just after they came down the Pompeii flume... this talent is 100% from her Daddy.
Mama and Campbell reading the park map!
The girlz on Eggery Deggery...
On the Carousel with Aunt Harley
What a super-fun girls day!!!! Girls Rule!