1st Day of School

Well, everyone had a very successful 1st day of school! The weather wasn't so hot (but, of course, Olivia said she was bursting into flames all day), so it worked out well for the un-airconditioned school. Grace gave me a kiss in front of the school, but then was off on her merry way with her friends-she is so grown up. Olivia wanted to make sure I was going to walk her all the way to the 1st grade line this morning. From the pictures, I think she was a little nervous, but she said she had the best day ever and could hardly wait to go back tomorrow. She loved eating lunch at school and even had art today (they had to draw a self portrait). Emma and I got to spend a little time together after I got home from work and before we walked up to get the girls. She wanted to play down in the basement and play house. When we went to get the girls, she wanted to take all 5 of her purses (you can only imagine how lovely they are)!!!! She sat in the wagon all the way organizing them--and to think Grace is worried that I'm going to embarrass her!!!

Dan in his "Spirit" shirt

Emma had to get a picture with the "school girls"

"Oh good! I see my best friend, Anna."

Last Weekend Before School Starts!!!!

Twas the night before school and all through the house...... Well, the kids are all tucked in bed and excited about the first day of school TOMORROW!!!! I'm not sure Olivia is going to sleep. I told the girls I can hardly wait to pick them up after school tomorrow to hear every little detail about the first day. Grace said, "Mom, don't do that thing where you get all excited and ask us in the back of the school how the day went. I'm getting too old for that. At least wait until we get home." I was crushed, and inside my heart was breaking, and just when I thought I was going to cry, Olivia said as innocently as can be, "You can do that for me." I think she actually wants me to. She made my day!!! Plus, it did my heart good to know that Olivia does appreciate my over excitement at times. You kind of have to know Olivia to really have to appreciate what that whole conversation means. Anyway, enough of the sentimental stuff. We did some fun things during the last weekend of summer vacation. On Friday, the sitter had to go out of town, so I took the day off and the girls and I went to the zoo with some friends. It was HOT, but still lots of fun!!! On Saturday, Dan framed out the doorway going from our living room into our dining room. It looks awesome! He said he's now ready to move onto the windows and other door ways. I'm so proud of him. This afternoon, the girls were playing with Zach from down the street and they made bird feeders with pinecones, peanut butter, and bird seed. (Thanks for the pinecones Grammy and Papa). We now have bird feeders hanging off the playhouse and on many trees around the yard!!!

Girls Day Out

This afternoon, I took Grace and a couple of her friends to a place called "Let's Go Doodl'n" to paint a piece of pottery and then out for some ice cream. It was kind of for her birthday, but we decided to call it "Girls day out", so nobody would bring a gift. We all had a really good time, and it was great to see everyone's creative side come out!

Grace's 9th Birthday

Our dear sweet Grace turned 9 on Friday! It just seems like yesterday Dan and I were at AJ Jolly Golf course with his golf team and he was riding me around in golf carts trying to "speed things up". He had just taken me home to rest and gotten back out to the golf course when I had to call him all the way home because little Grace decided it was time!!!! (For 2 out of 3 kids, I had to call Dan off the golf course!!!!) Grammy and Papa came for the weekend. For birthday dinner, we had a cookout with all Grace's favorites-hamburgers on the grill, watermelon, baby new potatoes, and corn on the cob. She requested a homemade chocolate cake with vanilla frosting this year-no "theme". I guess she is growing up. The weather was beautiful, which worked out perfectly for her to ride her new bike from mom and dad. Grammy and Papa tricked her with an empty American Girl box, but then hid her new doll, Ruthie, in another bag!!! She is really pumped about Ruthie!! She gets her ready for bed every night and puts her hair net in so she doesn't mess up her curls. During the day, Ruthie must lay face down---Poor Ruthie!!! It was a great weekend to celebrate a great kid! We are so blessed to have you in our lives, Grace!

Grammy and PaPa with the "trick box"

A little sisterly love (for the moment)

Cool stepping stones from Aunt Ashlie, Uncle Mark, Audrey, and Lilly

Showing off on her new bike

Getting Ready for School

I don't have any pictures to post, but will update you on the "Hamilton Happenings". We have been busy trying to get ready for school to start (Yes, we like to plan ahead). Last week we went and bought school supplies and did a little school clothes shopping. Grace and Olivia wear the same size pants and shirts, so they can share clothes, but we discovered that they can't share shoes. Olivia wears a size 4 and Grace wears a 2 1/2!!!! Needless to say, Olivia has outgrown all the cute shoes at Striderite! They are pretty pumped about sharing clothes, which brings me to our next "happening" in the Hamilton household.... Grace and Olivia have been sleeping in Olivia's room all summer in her double bed (very cute), and they have been begging Dan and I to share a room. They have picked out paint colors, drawn up diagrams of what they want the room to look like, the whole nine yards. I even found a white iron twin bed at an antique store this summer and bought it for Grace. Over the weekend, we were switching beds around, and now Emma is sleeping in Grace's "cottage" bed that Dan built for her a few years ago, and Olivia has moved into Grace's room (which is the biggest room), and Olivia's old room is the guest room with the set of twin beds in it that were Dan's when he was little. It seems like a waist to have an empty room, but the girls are really excited to share a room, and, honestly, I'm happy for them, because it's something I never got to do. It's fun, too, to see them excited and watch them make memories together. We are getting ready for Grace's 9th birthday on Friday. Grammy and Papa are coming!!! We'll have lots to post the end of the week!!!