Princess Ballet Camp

We were pretty excited about Princess Camp

The week was filled with all sorts of magical wonderful things, and a little etiquette as well

It was every day 9-12

The costumes alone were just a glimpse of how magical the studio made the week for the "princesses"

It also gave me a glimpse of what it will be like in just a few weeks with just one child.

Very surreal, easy, and weird all at the same time. 

Andrew and I had some very nice mornings together, checked out some new parks, grocery shopping, flower picking. 

The last day of camp there was a royal parade....led by Elsa and Anna. haha.

They each had a buddy to hold hands with as they paraded around the plaza and into the grocery store that was in the plaza..

She really thought these were the REAL Elsa and Anna. 

So much so that she didnt want to leave the studio until they did, because she wanted to see what kind of cars they drove, and how they got there.. 

I finally had to break it to her and said I think that the real Elsa and Anna are at Disney, and these are just pretend.. Because she was INSISTING we stay to see how they leave... Oh goodness..

After camp on Friday, she was on to her 5 year check up.

She did great.

Got the rest of her vaccines that we needed to catch up on, hearing test, eye test.. all set.

And if that wasnt a busy day.. we finally met our baby cousin Preston!

We're just a little in love with him. 

He's been visiting for a little over a week now, and its been so nice to spend time with my sis and her little family of three.. and for me  to get my baby fix and hold a teeny tiny 

Cousins!

Soaking it All In

Here's what we've been doing in the last few weeks.

Summer is coming to a close quickly. A few schools & family members around the country have already started school.. we begin next week.

So we've been trying to enjoy every day, and squeeze in some fun things before we get back into our routine.

 

Ballet came to an end a few weeks ago.

The parents got to watch the final class.

There's my girl in the blue .... doing her own thing.. while all the other girls chose pink and purple.

I was a proud Mama for this.

 

 

Of course little brother just loooved watching...

He was pretty good.. he was even mimicking what the teacher was telling the girls to do. He is hysterical .. every.single.day.

Our summer garden fell victim to a lot of night rainfalls.. with little chance to dry out, thus, a lot of crops did not do to well.. mostly the tomatoes.. but we still have lots of celery, carrots, onions, herbs galore, and tons and tons of peppers of all varieties. Im hoping to make Jalapeno Popper Dip soon with our homegrown jalapenos

 

We have about 10 sunflowers lining our backyard fence, they all opened within the last 2 weeks, and they are so beautiful

We celebrated my lil sis's upcoming wedding with a beautiful bridal shower at my Aunt's house

The favors were adorable.. homemade jam.. so. good!!!

Samantha got to attend with me, she was so happy. She loved "helping" Aunt Shauna open all her presents & collect the wrapping..

More beautiful flowers in bloom in our backyard.

School Supply Shopping with SJ.

She had a list of things needed for this year. One of them was a notebook for writing which I am so excited to see as the year goes on. The program she is in is a very progressive one, which I a excited for. It should be a great prep for Kindergarten next year.

 

We picked up the traditional Tissues, Wipes, Folder, Notebook, and little school shoes that I think are so cute! And, the cherry on top, Mama even got a planner too! The past few years I've ordered an Erin Condren planner. But I found this rainbow one at Walmart... yes Walmart... and its the perfect size, fits right in most of my day purses/diaper bags. And it was $3.50. Yes I'll take it. 

 

We got together with some friends from preschool for a playdate last week

This is one of Sassy's best friends from last year. They wont be in the same school this year, but I hope we can keep the girls connected

 

Little Fish.

Only swimming with little water wings.. she is so so comfortable and brave in Grammy's pool. Im so glad. She came a long way this year. Next year I bet she'll be almost swimming by herself.

 

We made a trip up to Lake Ontario this past weekend to a little town that has an adorable little kiddie carousel/amusement park. We packed a lunch and the kids did great... (im always worried about AG... he gets pretty worn out sometimes, and cranky) But he did great!

This was his first kiddie ride ever, and he loved it.

I told the girl operating it that she may have to stop the ride if he started screaming, or jumping ship.. but he sat there laughing and smiling.. and threw a fit when it was time to get off.. 

This little queen is a veteran.. she loves all the rides...

The kids had so much fun!

And another party... Samantha's friend from preschool turned 4 and all the girls got together for her birthday party. There were 4 girls all from her preschool there, and they all got along great.

Samantha busted open the pinata, and they were all collecting the candy loot 

comparing candy bags... ha!

And that's what we've been up to.

Labor Day is right around the corner, and then school right after that.. summer is over (tear*)

Until next year.. But I think this summer we had lots of fun and we have some great memories.

Fall is my favorite, I just hope its a LONG fall..

Month Eleven!

Samantha Jane……….. Month 11



You wear size 3 diapers, You wear mostly 12-18 month onesies. A lot of 18 Month outfits, shorts, jackets, even some 24 month stuff. You have 3.5 teeth.. Your 4th is a top tooth that is almost all the way through. Which you were a little feverish, and not sleeping too good.. but you NEVER drool! EVER.. so funny how all babies are different!

You are still nursing (God be with me) haha.. You have cut down to maybe 2-3 times during the day, and maybe 2-3 times at night which isn’t bad.

You love food .. esp we noticed you like meat! You little carnivore! Eggs, Fish, Chicken , Pork, Beef.. you love it! You are a good little eater.. Daddy is best at feeding you I must admit. I think you associate Momma with milk, so you sit in your highchair longer for Dada.

Holy Cow, we cannot believe you are almost 1.. Invites for your birthday bashes(yes you will have 2!) have gone out! the time has flown .. and Momma misses her teeny weeny baby!... Not really. You are so much fun these days and you crack us up!
You continue to love the outdoors, and you know when a Schoolbus is going by, you point and get all excited, yesterday one even gave us a little honk! Ha!




While outside, you are picking up all the twirly bird things that fall from the tree .. and you usually just hold them, but you are sneaky.. you quickly shoved one in your mouth the other day.

You are almost walking! You take a few steps & come to Daddy and I, but this past Memorial Day we were working on walking in Cleveland in the grass and you fell pretty hard and hit your head… so now, you’re a little cautious. You still walk all around the couch, coffee table and your Einstein. You are CONSTANTLY wanting to move!

You are opening the cupboards, and taking stuff out.. oh boy – time for baby proofing once we’re in our new house – Oh I cant wait for you to have your OWN ROOM!
You have recently started to “army” crawl and you’re pretty quick! You are a very determined child. And you’ve recently started having some tantrums which we are not ready for yet! We just try and ignore it, because we do NOT want you thinking that this behavior is any way to get what you want! Oh, and you are starting to hit… yeah… hit.. so we are trying to really be firm with you, and say NO!.. but sometimes you laugh at us.. yea great.. we’re in trouble!

But you are so SMART! You understand so many things that we are saying now, and if we show you something new, like how to work a toy, or a noise… you remember! Your memory is like a sponge!

Dancing Queen… you have recently decided to shake your booty. Its hysterical. You jiggle your right leg mostly and bounce up and down, or if you’re sitting and music comes on, you move up and down and wave your hands… adorable.. looks like you got some pretty good dancin’ moves at age 11mos! Hah! We have to take video of it!

Momma and you went to visit a daycare this month just to see what its all about, and you love kids…so you were so happy, shrieking, and having fun (of course I was still there with you) but it is something we’re considering a couple days per week.. You need to learn how to share, no hitting and no biting! Haha..


Let the birthday countdown begin! Until Next Month…