Getting Back on Track....

I kind of got out of order with my post about the Reds, but I just thought it was so cute what Olivia said, plus, it's pretty exciting around here. I'm back on track now. As I said before, Mom came when the girls started school for some moral support because my baby was starting kindergarten. We also celebrated Grace's birthday with Grammy and took the girls to the zoo the day before school started. It was a great day!

Cincinnati Pride

Way to go Reds!!!! The Cincinnati Reds clinched 1st place in the National League Central Division last night. It was an exciting game, ending with a home run in the nineth inning by Jay Bruce. The fireworks were going off, and you could even hear them at our house. I was surprised that the girls didn't come down and say, "Is it storming?" When we told the girls this morning, Olivia said, "..and to think I was there when it all began". (she and Dan went to opening day) LOL. Spoken like a true fan! Cincinnati Reds pride is definitely abuzz here!!!!!

First Day of School

I always get a picture of Dan on his "first day of school with students". It's always by the front door because he leaves so early and I'm still usually in my pajamas, and I'm sure the neighbors wouldn't appreciate having me have Dan stand by the front tree to take his picture while I'm half dressed!

My 3rd grader and 6th grader.

Grammy came for moral support for the following day when Emma would start Kindergarten.

My kindergartener

"Are you still taking pictures, Mom?"

"One last smile for you, mom, because I'm about to through that door and begin my school career!"

Grace is ELEVEN!!

I'm slowly be surely getting caught up on my blogging. Grace turned 11 on August 15th. We are so blessed to have this sweet, kind, caring young woman in our family. On her birthday, it was actually a typical day for Grace--BUSY! She had to accolyte at church for the first time, had soccer in the afternoon and a basketball game in the evening. It was nice to sit down in the evening and have her favorite for dinner--hamburgers on the grill and salad.

Here she is sporting the new soccer/running gear Big Mom got her for her birthday.

I love how Emma and Olivia are looking on and their expressions.

Olivia obviously knows what North Face jacket is--Emma on the other hand... (Thank Heavens!)

Jamming in her new jacket and to her new Camp Rock CD.

A Day of "Firsts"

At the beginning of August Emma and Olivia both had a big "First". Emma had her first sleepover with her friend Ava from church, and Olivia went to sleep over camp at Camp Lakeview for the first time by herself. Olivia was suppose to go with her friend Allyson, but Allyson got sick, so Olivia ended up going alone. She was really nervous (and so was mommy), but she had a great time and is already looking forward to going back next year!

All packed and ready to go.

Livi in front of the cabin she stayed in .

Might As Well Start them Early?

Emma is always offering to "help" me with the dishes. "I'm big enough, Mom. I promise I will be careful. My friend from school is allowed to do the dishes at her house." I'm just not ready to trust her with my dishes (I mean, come on, she is only 5!), but I kept telling her that one day I would let her wash all the play dishes out on the deck. Well that day came one Saturday this Summer. Emma was in her glory, and, I must say, she did a great job!!! She had them all lined up on the dish towel to dry when she was all done. "There, mom, I can do the dishes-just like you do!" What a little cutie!!!

I guess she needed her shades because she was getting those dishes so clean there were gleaming!

Cincinnati Children's Choir

Again this year Grace participated in the Cincinnati Children's Choir Festival. It was a week long of singing, theory of music, sight reading, the history of music, and most of all FUN!! It's amazing what over 200 kids can pull together in one short week. It was simply beautiful!!!

Thinking Back to Summer Vacation and Trying to Catch up on Blogging!

Grace has a project due for school on Friday, and she needed some pictures for it, so we were looking through some pictures from our vacation to Hilton Head, and I decided I might as well update the blog while I'm at it. These are just a few, as we took close to 300, and some of them are a secret until Christmas!

She looks like a natural, doesn't she?

We flew kites two nights on the beach. This is was a blast!!

Emma riding the waves. The best part is her red "mustache" from the fruit punch she had for a snack!!! Classic!!!

I think this smile was permantly fixed on Olivia's face all week!

The girls and I were laying on the edge of the water just hanging out and a big wave had just washed over us in this picture!