Just like your mother......

As we get older I think we all find, wanted or not, ourselves as copies of our parents.  Sometimes I'll catch myself saying, "Geez Louise" (a favorite of my mom), but I feel like it's just inevitable and no reason to try to stop it.  Well, now I see my girls with some of the same mannerisms, gestures, and sayings as me - wow what a reflective way to see yourself!  Of course I like to think that when Brooklynn says, "I know mom, or yeahhh mom" as if she's 5 years old (going on 14), that she didn't pick that up from me!

Last week I found the girls playing in the car (their new favorite game) and just quietly observed from the sidelines.  I found Brooklynn sipping her Starbucks, talking on the phone, driving, and yelling at her sister all at the same time.  Now where did she ever see this?

Finally.....One Strawberry!

We've had a good time this year with our 1st garden.  We've had plenty of yummy zucchinis, a few helpings of peas, juicy red tomatoes, some spinach and lettuce, cucumbers, and finally some peppers.  When we started our garden there were a few strawberry plants scattered among the garden box, so we kept them (which looked funny), hoping we'd get some strawberries.  We spotted one early in the summer, but before it was ripe, it was swiped by the birds!  Since then we've seen our strawberry plants expand, but no fruit.  Until a couple days ago....we finally got a strawberry.  It was the most pathetic-looking berry (shown here next to cherry tomatoes), but I can finally consider our strawberries a success!  Woohoo!

Carrie and Josh are here! And daddy's getting old.....

Last week we had a special visit from Carrie and Josh, and the girls were anticipating their arrival all week!  Brooklynn was surprised to see Carrie pick her up at school on Thursday to start our fun time!  Josh came in town for the weekend, and as always, the girls gave him lots of love!

Carrie and Papa racing in the backyard

 Steve took a couple days off, so we were all able to take the girls to Monkey Bizness on Friday.  Here's Brooklynn with her new friend, Brooklynn.  I have to admit, every time I hear another "Brooklynn" I have to cringe a little - we thought we were being so unique.  Uggghhh!

 Monday we all took the girls to the zoo - always a favorite of ours.

 Loving the lorikeets!  Chandler has to feed them on her own now - and she ends up spilling the cup of nectar before the birds can even get to it!

 And the infamous carousel

 Everyone came over Monday to celebrate Steve's big birthday.  Since the Broncos were playing, we had to have wings and pizza.  Sadly I have to admit that I've never decorated a cake for Steve, so I promised I'd give it a shot this year.  So in anticipation for a great season, here it is:

 The girls are always willing to help with presents....

 And sharing the cake......

We always have trouble adjusting to Carrie leaving - the girls just love her to pieces.  Thankfully we only have to countdown to Christmas to see them again!  We can't wait until they move back...hint...hint...

First Day of the Rest of Her Life

Last spring I was stressed out trying to figure out where to send Brooklynn for preschool.  I really wanted her to go as a 3 year-old, since she has limited structure and kid interactions staying home with me.  At the time she was a needy girl who had trouble leaving my side in public.  She rarely initiated conversations with other kids, and I was worried, even in tears at one point - thinking I'd done her a disservice by staying home with her.  (As moms, I think we all questions our decisions and their impacts on our kids)

Fast forward to today, September 6th, and we have a new kid!  Over the past few months she has been independent and outgoing!  She always initiates conversations with other kids wherever we go.  She has excelled at her dance class (without mom and dad) and now runs off to play with her sister or other kids around, so it was no surprise that she was ecstatic about starting school and meeting new friends.  Last Thursday we went to the open house and met her teacher, Mrs. Baker, and oriented ourselves with the school.

After talking about her excitement all weekend, she didn't disappoint this morning.  She's ready to go:

Even Chandler is excited for her sissy  (for now......)

Taking the walk

Putting her backpack in her own cubby

Day 1 was a success!  The only one to cry was Chandler - she didn't know what to do without her sister.  I felt the same way, because it's never been just the two of us, but now she'll get some quality mama time.  

Brooklynn had a great time and told us her favorite part was "learning" (just what a teacher's kid should say, right?)

This experience has been emotional, but not in the way I thought.  I figured I'd be going through the "my baby is growing up too fast" syndrome, but I just felt so happy for her - happy she gets to participate in a great experience to prepare her to be a kid - to learn how to interact with kids, a teacher, and follow a routine with rules.  And I was proud she was so independent (and wasn't the kid across the hall melting down leaving his parents).  Brooklynn, you're an amazing girl and we can't wait to see what the future holds for you!

Could it Really be the End of Summer Already?

Labor Day always marks the unofficial end to summer, but with the extreme heat we've been experiencing lately, I feel like Labor Day is a kick-off to summer for us, because now we'll be able to do outdoor activities everyday! 

Steve stayed in Vegas all week for a conference, and for some reason I decided to take on a barbeque for Saturday after having the girls by myself all week.  What was I thinking?  We pulled it together and the girls were so excited to see their friends!  During the week the girls and I worked on our pinata - they did a great job with the paper mache and then painting their work of art.

 The kid takeover - notice the adults don't even get chairs anymore!

 Jackson takes a swing at the pinata

 Then Brooklynn (we were proud she looked coordinated and had a decent swing)

 Owen knocking down the pinata - success!

 Chandler's reaction after the pinata fell (poor girl - she was so upset all that hard work for nothing)

 The BBQ was fun, but it was yet another reminder of how much the kids have changed our lives.  Our BBQs used to be yard games, beers, and music, but now the yard has been taken over by slides, jumpy houses, and adults chasing their kids. 

Sunday we drove to Tiny Town, which is a miniature town with a railroad just outside the foothills.  We were surprised at how engaged the girls were with the buildings - making sure to take a look in each one.

 On the train

 They were so cute sliding down together at the park!

If this was the "end of summer", we sure went out with a bang! 

Vegas Baby!

So our 3rd adults-only trip this year was another memorable one.  (I promise the next trip we'll take the girls on - feeling a little guilty about that).  We planned this trip around one of Steve's conferences, which is always nice, because they put us up in a posh hotel.  We arrived early Friday morning, and with the tremendous Vegas heat (110s), we decided to hang out in the room and have our own room party. 

 After resting up, we headed downtown for some cheap drinks, gambling, and good people watching.

 On our limo ride back to the Strip

 The boys dancing to their Party Rock Anthem

Saturday was spent hanging out at the pool and then off to a show - a must-do in Vegas.  We saw "Defending the Caveman" with the Deegans, and it was funny!  We got a couple pics in before we got yelled at.  Take that!

Dinner at the Venetian

Then we headed out to check out the Bellagio fountains.

 The boys

 Sweet ladies

 Awwww......

 We had to finish the night classy at Bill's and O'Sheas when we ran into this lady in the bathroom.  (We weren't the first ones to get a pic with her).

What a great trip!  We feel so blessed to have the *@!%#&^ best friends ever.  Already need to start planning our next kids-free vaca!