Beach Time

We've had a heat wave these last few days, so Ava suggested we go to the beach. We don't usually get warm weather at the beach, but it was about 90 degrees there yesterday, so we drove over in the afternoon and had such a wonderful time. We all got in the water and just about went deaf from the squeals coming from the girls as they tried to outrun the waves. We saw a sea lion, dolphins, and pelicans, and built a mermaid sandcastle.

When it finally started cooling down, we headed over to the boardwalk to go on some rides and eat some junk food. We discovered that they don't check the height limits on anything, so Lilly got to do everything Ava could do, including the grown-up bumper cars.

Back to School

We officially survived the first week of school! Ava started Kindergarten. I've had so much anxiety over her starting that it's a relief to have it over with. I knew it would go well - she's ready and the school is amazing. My anxiety is more about her going off into the unknown, and I'm worried about all of the new outside influences and challenges that I can't be present for. I know it's part of growing up and becoming her own person. It's a good thing. It still stresses me out and makes me a little sad. Now that she's started, I can already see the growth she's making and that makes it easier.

We live just a block from the school and Ava's neighbor-friend Grace started Kindergarten as well. It's the most precious thing to watch them holding hands and walking to and from school together. Ava loves her new teacher, as do I. She has tons of experience teaching and has published books on classroom education. Her class is split into two groups that start at different times and overlap in the middle. We are in the late group, which is prefect as Ava is NOT a morning person (I wonder where she gets that from;) and she gets extra recess time.

Lilly went back to the same preschool she went to last year, and she is THRILLED to be in the same class with her cousins Calvin and Jessica. She also has a couple friends from church in her class, so the transition back to school has been pretty seamless for her. The only part that's hard for her is that she only gets to go three times a week, as opposed to every day.

Ava & Grace

Last Taste of Summer

I had grand plans for this summer break. I refused to sign the girls up for camps or classes so we would have time to spend swimming, traveling, and visiting amusement parks, museums, etc. Instead I spent the first 6 weeks of summer wishing someone could just put me in a medically-induced coma as the morning sickness dragged on, and on, and...you get the idea. Throw in tonsil/adenoid surgery and two rounds of strep throat, and that put us with just two remaining weeks of summer.

In a desperate attempt to have some summer fun I packed up the girls and road tripped to Tahoe and Salt Lake for those remaining days. I should have taken more pictures, but we had a fun time crawdad fishing, boating, watching a movie and a Shakespeare play on the beach, miniature golfing, back-to-school shopping, swimming and spending time with extended family. Tyler flew back and forth to spend some of the time with us and help with the long drive.

Crawdad Fishing

Sand Harbor - Shakespeare Festival


Cupcakes with Grammy

Tricky

This morning I informed Lilly that the baby can hear her talking to her, and told her to say something. She put her mouth up to my belly and said, "Hello baby sister!" Then she put her ear to my tummy for a few seconds. She stepped back, smiling at me, and announced, "She says she wants to go to the park!"

It's about time...

...that I officially announce that we are going to have another girl this December. I've been too nervous to say anything up until this point, but here she is looking cute and healthy. Tyler is going to be really outnumbered, but we've decided to just give in to the pink. The girls are super excited. Ava enjoys taking care of me when I'm not feeling well, and asking all sorts of fun questions like, "How does the baby come out of your tummy?" Lilly likes to tell me how she promises not to punch or kick or pull the baby's hair. She can't wait to "touch the baby's face" (after washing her hands, of course). She also wants me to name the baby Sparkle.

It took a lot of time, heartache, and doctors visits to finally get her, so we feel really blessed to have her joining our family. Any suggestions for names?

How Many L's in Lilly?

Our Budding Entrepeneur

Ava just has to have a pink cover for her iTouch. I refuse to spend $30 on it. Seriously, what a rip off. Ava decided to take matters into her own hands last weekend and opened a cheese and cracker/chocolate chip cookie stand. So far she's made enough to pay for more than half of the cover.

Week With Grammy, Paga & the Ludwig Cousins

Believe it or not, we spent the last week with Tyler's parents and his sister's family. We did all sorts of fun things like going Great America, swimming, and going out to eat. Unfortunately the only picture I got all week was this cute picture of Ava on a Merry-Go-Round. I really need to step it up.

Gilroy Gardens

I love Gilroy Gardens. I would get season passes and go every week if it was a little closer to my house. We went on a HOT day in July with the cousins and had fun melting in the sun.

Fortunately they have shaved ice.

And fast rides.

And a splash park.

(Pay no attention to the woman behind Lilly)

And air conditioned pizza parlors!