What a way to spend a weekend (or two!)

A couple weekends ago we finally found the time to work on staining the deck. Kyle and I started about 10 in the morning and, of course, the girls wanted to help paint too. I got them distracted for awhile by getting the pool out but that didn't last long so I got out some of their paints to do outside on paper. That didn't last too long either so I told them to paint each other (originally thinking little face painting) but they took it a little further. At least it kept them happy and busy for awhile then they rinsed off in the pool. They did so good keeping themselves busy all day so we could get it done.

We had finished all the railing and had the base part halfway done when we saw the dark clouds coming in. Let's just say it was a race to see if we could get it done. We seriously just finished the steps at 6 p.m. when it started raining - Darn! So.... it looked pretty good for the most part but we had to spend the next weekend re-staining the base part and around the outside. It didn't take nearly as long and I think it turned out great!

Now, we just need to find time for the fence... :)




Having ice cream on the finished product.

Princess dress up b-day party

Kira was invited to a friend's birthday party where they did makeovers and hairdos. All the girls looked like such beautiful princesses and had such a good time. I decided to stop at the grocery store on the way home (since I just had one kid with me) and on the way in she said "I think people in the store will say "look what a beautiful daughter you have" ". She did get a few looks and comments. :) She is such a little girly-girl and loves it!







It was so funny with the pinata. There was so much stuff that came out but all the girls were very polite going and picking things up one at a time. There was about half of it left on the floor and they started walking away. Even the birthday girl said "I'm done with this, mommy". I was amazed that they weren't grabbing at it all. What a fun time. I may have to think about doing Kira's party there on her next b-day.

Gymnastics

Kira and Kaylee both went to the Little Gym all summer. Kira went last year but this was Kaylee's first time. I did the class with Kaylee while Kira did it on her own. They both loved it! It's such a great place for kids to play and learn. They didn't have quite the right schedule to work for both girls for fall and Kira decided she wants to do dance again anyway. I've signed Kaylee up for dance for the first time too. She is so excited to be able to do some "big girl" things now.

What a day!

We had such a fabulous day today! First thing we went and signed both Kira and Kaylee up for dance classes starting in Sept. Kaylee is so excited to be able to do a class too! Then, I took them to the dollar movie "Surf's Up". Kira watched it pretty good but Kaylee wasn't real interested after awhile. (I didn't care for the movie too much either). But, the popcorn and drink kept her happy.

We had lunch at home and a short nap for Kaylee then I took the girls to Eden's house for a "Spring Fact" party. Eden had been asking her mom for a backyard pool party for her friends all summer. Stephanie set it up and all the kids had a blast! After that party, the girls and I hopped in the car and drove to St. Joe to meet up with some other friends to go to the fair.

The kids had a BLAST!!! They rode so many rides (so many times) and ate and played... I didn't think Kaylee would be able to do some of them by herself but she proved to be such a big girl and went on them. A couple of them she looked pretty scared most of the way but you would get big grins from her too so I knew she liked them.

What a fun day! (I'm beat!)




Today Kaylee got herself to flip over on the rings by herself. Once she did it, Kira figured she should be able to do it too so she gave it a try. Little sis teaching older one for a change. ;)

Fun at the pool

We've had alot of fun playing at the pool this summer. I can't remember if I mentioned before how Kira took a session of swim lessons but it did not go well at all. She didn't want to do it mainly because she didn't want to put her face in the water. She's always had a problem with getting water in her eyes. I bought her some goggles last year but she's not really ever wanted to try them. For whatever reason, in the bath last week she asked for her goggles. I got them thinking she could play with them. She put them on and it was like a light bulb went off. She put her face in the water and never stopped. She has been asking to take baths morning and night so she can "swim" in the tub. She's been so excited to go try it at the pool so we went as soon as we could and she did it! I was so proud of her for finally realizing she could do it! She even tried pushing off and kicking her feet in the water. Hopefully she'll be swimming soon. Next year we'll try lessons again with her and Kaylee and hope they both do good.