And a good evening to you from the Queen City, where summer is flying by quickly! Much to record (as always), so let's get amongst it, shall we?
6/1 - Today was a BIG one for Lady Kaitlyn - her first ever visit to Frankie's Fun Park!!!! This place is brand new, and truthfully I was planning to stay away unless I saw a deal (as I assumed it was expensive). Well, lucky for us, one of her classmates had a birthday party there - thank you, Laney (and parents :-))!Jenny went with K while I watched Bear, and it sounds like they had an EPIC time - go carts, food, a big play area, a goodie bag that felt bottomless - you name it! They were there over 3.5 hours! And it gave Jenny a chance to get some summer contact info and play dates lined up, so that was a very good thing.
I was not having quite as much fun, however, as Bear was an absolute TYRANT! Honestly, it was UNREAL!!!! It all started at REI, where Bear asked for a bar. When we got in the car and I showed her the bar, she was FURIOUS with anger. Turned her face away and tried to get as far away from me as possible (while still being buckled into her seat, of course...meaning she didn't get very far). She screamed for a bout 20 minutes before finally saying "please," and so I then asked her if she wanted me to break the bar. She confirmed yes, but when I did she AGAIN started screaming.
By now we were home, and she REFUSED to get out of the car. I basically had to haul her out and bring her in, at which point she cried FIFTY MINUTES STRAIGHT until she finally calmed down and had some lunch. BEDLAM! It was better in the afternoon, but still - TOUGH AFTERNOON!But a cute highlight I don't want to miss - mom bought the girls matching uni-kitty dresses, and they both LOVE THEM. I got a picture of them both in uniform - too cute! Also, we made lasagna that night, and K was DESPERATE to help. I am happy to report that she was a good assistant to JT in the kitchen.
6/2 - Today was a GREAT day, starting with Arrows. We went to both services, and K got to pray over the offering in the first service. That's my girl! I taught in the second service, and there was a moment where I really got teary-eyed. This was the last service for the 4th graders before they move to JV, and pastor Michael called them all up so that we could pray over them. As he was talking to them, he said, "You will ALWAYS be Arrows." Honestly, I just about lost it. It was such a special, emotional moment, and I was really, really thankful that a) I'd had the opportunity to teach those kids and b) that K was in there with me. I have the next EIGHT YEARS to pour into my (and other) children - such a tremendous responsibility, opportunity, and blessing. THANK YOU, FATHER!!!!!
There was a really, really sweet moment in the car before church. We'd just parked, and I said, "I cannot believe you're almost out of school! Just one full week left!" Kaitlyn said, "I'm not ready to leave Mrs. Pate." And at first it was innocent, but then....suddenly...you could tell that it all clicked. In that moment, K realized the truth for the first time - she only had one week left in that class: with Mrs. Pate, with her new friends, with Mrs. Hong...with kindergarten. And in that moment, she was SO BRAVE fighting back the tears that threatened to appear. For my part, I remember BAWLING on Mrs. Johnson's chest the last day I collected attendance in 5th grade, so that moment hit home. She then asked me, "Will I be at Bradford next year?" When we told her she was going to be there for the next TWELVE years, she was instantly much, much happier. Plus she'll have all next year in the same annex as Mrs. Pate, so that helps. 
It was such a profound moment, as we teeter here on the edge of innocence. Those kids still have so much love for their teachers and their fellow man, and it's just so amazing to see. In fact, while I was in the sanctuary, I believe that God gave me a word for Kaitlyn: LIONHEART. She has such a big heart, feels emotions so close to the surface (and in such a big way), and she loves so passionately. That girl is going to be a PRAYER WARRIOR, and I look forward to the amazing things she will accomplish through Christ Jesus.After that it was over to Team Williams, where we spent the next 5 hours hanging out and having an absolute blast. Honestly, this weekend was SO RELAXING, and I am so incredibly thankful for it. I received the rest and rejuvenation that I so desperately needed, and it I had plenty of laughs in the process. It was just so much fun, and I am thankful for so many great friends.
And a very sweet moment at bedtime - I had told Kaitlyn that I thought I'd received a word for her from God, and that night while tucking her in I said, "Good Night, Lionheart." She looked up at me and then whispered in my ear, "Good night, Good, Good Father." My heart just about melted. She had drawn some music notes and written that down earlier in the day (we sang it in Arrows), and after dinner she had said, "You're a good, good father." Talk about melting your heart!
6/3 - Ocean Day at BPS! Not totally sure what this entailed, but the kids got to bring sunglasses and a towel. :-) The best news of the day is that Cora does NOT have an ear infection in either ear, AND her hearing is in the normal range (a bit low on one side but not a concern at present for Dr. Lovejoy). Cora was actually in great spirits after visiting the doctor - it could have been the "purple lollipop." :-)One question and something to note - Kaitlyn has been ALL ABOUT using signs and hand motions to communicate with me vs. answering with words. While sometimes this isn't a problem, it has been an annoyance as of late. If anything, it's been a source of tension in the house. I am not really sure why she does it - could it be because JT and I communicate non-verbally sometimes? Honestly, Jenny and I are almost always talking vs. signing - just not sure about that one. Perhaps I'll learn sign language. :-)
6/4 - Today was "Nature Day" at BPS, and get this - since it was Laney's "actual" birthday, her mom came by, made the whole class trail mix, and then had prizes for bingo! Kaitlyn won some slime, which she has absolutely LOVED playing with. And to be fair - it's pretty sweet. She can turn it into a glove - she is playing with it constantly at home! Also - taking a step forward on piano: we texted a teacher in the neighborhood about lessons. She's full and we're currently on the wait list, but we are looking around and so far have been pleased to know that there's at least one option within the neighborhood. Watch this space - exciting!
Swim practice was cut 5 min short due to thunder, but there were no complaints from the peanut gallery. :-) K did get home in time to work on her card for Ms. Pate, which is just SO SWEET.
6/5 - Today was Water Day at BPS, and they apparently had quite the good time playing outside for 2+ hours! They played drip-drip-douse (which sounded quite fun), and by all accounts it must have been a good day.
I actually got to take Kaitlyn today, which was a real treat for me. Realistically this is my last "kindy drop-off" for K, and I got a little emotional driving away. I was so thankful that I got to do it, as it was just nice to be on campus and in the midst of such a wonderful place that has been so special to our family this year. As I drove out of there, I couldn't help but think of how much has transpired this past week (let alone this year!), which is just one more reason that in the back of my head I'm not sure if I'm ready to give up the blog. There are times when I'm just ready to pack it in, but when I think about not recording some of these moments for posterity, something just doesn't feel right.They only got 5 minutes of swim practice in today before thunder shut them out. However, that was just more time on the playground, so I get the sense K wasn't too upset. :-) Plus it got her home in time to do Ms. Hong's card, which is also super sweet.
On the Bear front, that girl is SO FUNNY when you start playing music - especially a song she knows like Rainbow or Float. She is LOVING to dance and is quite militant about everyone being "on the dance floor with her" - too cute! We actually had a really good night tonight at bedtime. She didn't want to read to me at first, but once she got in the chair, she curled up with me and snuggled with me for a good while. We've actually seen more of each other lately, and I've even read to her a few of the mornings. I think it's made a big difference, as I'm not just coming in as some authoritative figure in her life but also as someone who (hopefully) brings joy. Last note - K read "Little Red Riding Hood" tonight, and it is SO FUNNY to listen to her say "wolf." She just CANNOT get that "l" in there, with the end result being her saying "Wuff" on every page. Love it!
6/6 - So Cora was a flat out ROCK STAR today. First off, she put HERSELF down at nap time! No joke - Jenny said that she was sitting in the chair "reading" when she came in. Jenny said, "Once you finish that, go to bed, okay?" JT then went into her bathroom to do something, and when she came back, Cora was PASSED OUT on the bed. How amazing is that?!?!?! Love these children!
Cora is "reading" a lot more these days, which means she's not only flipping through the pages but also making up stories. REALLY CUTE! It's just one more thing she is doing that K did, which is really neat to see. Oh, and the biggest win of all on the Cora Bear front - she tried to spit after brushing her teeth tonight! She really did make an effort to brush as well, which is a notably first (for me at least). Proud of you, Thing 2!
Today was the last full day of school, and the theme? PIRATE DAY!!!! K found her eye patch, put on a swashbuckling dress, and tucked her little plastic sword into her belt for a day of riding the high seas and shouting "Aaaaaargh, matey!!!!"
But as it turns out, we apparently didn't dress 100% according to code, as K came home and said, "I was the only one who brought a sword. (beat) Because it's a weapon. (beat) And you can't bring weapons to school. What more can I say? PARENTS. OF. THE. YEAR.
The day went quickly, and I left work early to ensure I could get home in time for the drive as a family to Bradford for....the End of Year celebration!!!!! I mean, I simply CANNOT believe it, but this school year is OVER! Where did it go?!?!? The performance (in the music room), was SO sweet. First they did "Things I learned in Kindergarten," and each kid had a speaking part. Then they sang and danced to Lean On Me and How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You - too cute! Kaitlyn's smile was a mile wide - she was having so much fun and is such a good little performer! You can tell that a lot of that shyness is melting away, and she's starting to be more confident (and more importantly - enjoy the moment). Ms. Pate and Ms. Hong gave each kid an award (Kaitlyn won the "Super Sweet" award) and a pizza box filled with memories and souvenirs from the year. Then there was a slide show of the year in review, and I will be honest - this guy got teary-eyed more than once. :-)
And then, after signing her out, picking up her (really neat) self portrait, and taking some final pictures with Ms. Pate and Ms. Hong, it was over. I mean, there is still 1 day of school to go (a half day tomorrow), but let's face it - this was it: the end of a MAJOR chapter in Kaitlyn's (and Team Taylor's) life.
Last night while snuggling in bed, she said, "Dada, I am very S-A-D." I explained that it was okay to cry and be said, and then I told her the story of how I cried in 5th grade on my last day at Russellville. I think that helped her a bit and did resonate, but I'm sure it's still a lot to process.
Truthfully, it's a lot for ME to process. I am SO THANKFUL for the people who talked us into choosing Bradford over Highland Creek and for this entire experience. From the school to the people to the new friends we've met to learning and growth we've seen to the teachers - it is all just a gift from God. Ms. Pate and Ms. Hong - I know that you two will never read this blog or even learn of its existence, but I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you've done for, taught, and given to Kaitlyn this past year. This transition was a big one, and I will be honest and say I had no idea what to expect. Well, whatever it was I did expect 10 months ago, you exceedingly and abundantly surpassed it. Thank you SO MUCH for taking such good care of Kaitlyn and helping her grow in so many ways. You are both blessings and lights in our path, and I just cannot thank you enough for everything. 6/7 - LAST DAY!!!!!!! We got some "Last Day" pictures this morning, and I had the distinct pleasure and privilege of driving K to school for her last day. I also had the pleasure and privilege of picking her up at noon when the final school bell rang! I surprised her with lunch at Panera, where she was happy as a clam with Mac 'n cheese, a "flip flop cookie," chips, and chocolate milk. She's actually relaxing while watching the tablet now, and then it's off to swim practice shortly to kick off the summer in earnest. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!
You can tell that K is really struggling with the gamut of emotions she's experiencing. She was happy and sad today. When she got in the car, she said, "I'll never see Mrs. Pate again!" I explained that wasn't true and that she would see her in 10 weeks time. :-) I also reminded her that she'd see Mrs. Hong this afternoon at swim practice. :-) K was fighting back tears at times, but on the whole she's doing great. Two quick ones to note - K's face has started to get really dry. I think it's a combination of sunscreen, chlorine, and everything else, but we've had to start putting actual face lotion on her. Poor thing! Second - due to a tropical depression parking off the coast of SC, K and I are not longer heading to Edisto. I broke the news to her last night, and she was actually really good about it.
We did make the day count, and I think we started summer off on a good note. Kaitlyn watered her grass and green beans, and I am happy to report that both really are growing! The green bean is actually sprouting, but more importantly - Kaitlyn is the one remembering to water and care for it every day! Sunlight, water, checking on it, etc - is this girl going to have a green thumb?
And Bear is full on doing puzzles by herself. IT'S AMAZING!!!! I really can't get over how good she's become at it. The Y staff told us that she was doing it, but I have watched it myself all weekend. SO COOL! Proud of you, kiddo!Oh, and the funniest moment of the evening. After a cocktail each, Kaitlyn informed us that we have "adult drink breath." Funny, but a sobering moment as well (if you'll pardon the pun). It made me check myself a bit and think, which I firmly believe is a good thing. On Saturday night (I'm typing this on Sunday afternoon), I brushed my teeth post cocktail but pre-night time ritual. K confirmed the smell was gone, which made me happy. The girls know that there is alcohol in the house and that we drink it responsibly. I want to ensure they always remember both aspects of that previous sentence.
6/8 - Talk about a day for the ages! We got up and were pleased to find that the weather looked good enough for the first speedy meet of the season. We rolled over to the Hamptons for the meet, and K WAS UNREAL in that water! Honestly, it is just NUTS how much a difference a year makes. Her strokes - and I mean ALL of them - were VASTLY improved. She was really pulling water! She laid down 36 seconds in freestyle, which is flat moving! And while backstroke was the toughest one for her, I was really impressed with her form! The highlight was the breast stroke, where K WON HER FIRST EVER HEAT!!!!!!!! She dug deep and found second gear to pull it out! Then she laid down a sub-60 second butterfly (55 seconds)! SO PROUD OF YOU, KID!
I was also proud of the way she played with and held onto little frogs on the playground afterwards. Who is this rough and tumble little nature girl blossoming before me?Lunch was at Cafe 100, followed by an hour at a really cute little park in Huntersville. We then did a little shopping before heading over to Prosperity Park pool for 2 hours with Team Burch. K and Taylie played SO WELL together and had a blast - it was a GREAT afternoon, and I was SO relaxed through it all. This weekend was NOT expected, but MAN has it been fantastic. We drove around in the X, blasting music on that great sound system. JT was the DJ, and it was cute to see what song each person picked. Kaitlyn is really learning the words to a lot of Kenny Chesney. I was well and truly impressed!
Cora's cutest moment came when she was laying down on the changing table. She looked over at her "big girl bed" (note - do NOT just call it a bed. You WILL get corrected) and said, "Mine elephant tumbled out of mine big girl bed." I mean, tumbled is a decent word for a toddler, right? It is crazy to see how quickly she's picking things up. She even has a lot of the Bunny names memorized in the Bunny flap book - it's insane!
6/9 - We went to church today, where K's tag officially said "Arrows" for the first time ever! It was a SUPER wet day, but Jenny and K did make it over to Birkdale for a girls afternoon, going to see Aladdin and then stopping for ice cream at Kilwin's. Bear passed out instantly (I'm typing this while she's upstairs asleep), which she needed. Jenny is absolutely right - that girl absolutely still needs a nap most days. While she's fine if she goes a day or two without one, by day three the edges are definitely fraying. A cute moment at church - Jenny picked up Cora, and they had placed a little plush heart in her bag. They told us that she made the decision for Jesus today! Such a little cutie. I think we might have to reinforce it a few more times between now and Arrows, but I am just so thankful that we're in such a life-giving church and that the girls are getting this exposure so early.
Speaking of the girls and routines, we're starting to settle into our summer routine. The bed time has extended a bit, with bear going down at 7:45 and K following at 8. Honestly, given that naps are a little later these days, it's probably not a bad thing, and certainly something we can manage for the next 2 months. The girls are also quite enjoying dance parties after dinner, with the featured songs currently being either "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" and "Hey, Mickey." I blame Jenny!
Cora actually wants to hear Float by KT Tunstall a lot. It's so cute to listen to her ask for it: "Can I peese here Tinkabell and de Everbeast, Gag?" I mean, how do you say no to that? :-)
6/10 - So today was a GREAT day. I had a word from God yesterday (at least it felt that way) that I needed to talk to K about how hard I'm trying to be a good father and that I'm sorry when I mess up. Well, the moment passed, and I just let it go. During the run today, however, I had that strong pull again to talk to her, and so I made it a priority when I got back (and showered, of course). I told her that I want to be a better dad and that I'm sorry if there are times that I am too mean and she doesn't understand why. I told her that, if she wasn't sure why I asked to do something or felt I was being too mean, to just talk to me about it. I really think that helped, as we then proceeded to have a GREAT DAY! It was just so much easier for me to say YES to things instead of always saying no. Similar to loosening the purse strings just a little bit, it's amazing how much easier life is when you relax some.The girls went to the Y, where K won bowling against the other kids - turning in a 77 and bowling 4 strikes! I then met them a Tacos 4 Life, where it was Super Hero Day - dress like a super hero and get a free taco. BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE!!! It was really cute.
The girls then went to the park (I was working), but after putting Cora down for a nap (She went out instantly - almost fell asleep on the swings!), they rolled over to the library. Kaitlyn is supposed to be reading "J" level books, so we picked up several of those. Honestly, she's already read tougher books than that, so we'll likely start getting into the "K" pile very soon. Tonight's featured readings were "Pinkalicious at the Fair" and "Pinkalicious and the Pirate." Oh, and in other news, the green bean shoots now have leaves!!! Those puppies are really, REALLY growing!
6/12 - Kaitlyn CRUSHED a level 2 book tonight! So - a bit of backstory. She's at the "J" level, which apparently equates to "Level 1 books." Well, she has been powering through Level 1 books for some time now, and I think we need to go full court press on Level 2 (and maybe even try Level 3). At Panera on the last day of school, she told me that she read a book she was supposed to read at the end of first grade. I do think her reading comprehension is awesome - very exciting!
Also, I have potentially cracked the code with Cora bear at night time. Once you read a book to her, she will very sweetly ask, "Can we read it again?" If you say, "Yes, but after that we have to go night night," she will nod, hold Lamb Lamb, and then sit very sweetly. When that's done, she is great about letting you rock her - she was SO SWEET on this evening!!!! She just about fell asleep on me (I could tell). And when you ask, "are you ready to go night night?", she will just nod sweetly and let you put her down. Love it!
Cora has also started eating her veggies! She's realizing that if she wants seconds of "the good stuff," she's got to put some fruit and veg in there as well. Yay! And she tried buffalo chicken flat bread tonight...AND LOVED IT!
K had a great afternoon - Ellie came over for a play date! They had a good 3 hours together and had a blast. It was then off to swim practice in the rain, and Kaitlyn about FROZE! To be fair, it is CRAZY how much cooler it is right now - probably 30 degrees cooler than this time last week. JT showed up after practice with soup in a cup for her!Oh, and in case you're curious - K regularly asks me at night if I'm "the skeleton copy of daddy in the night time who lives in the closet." More often than not I just say yes and tickle her into oblivion. Love it.
6/13 - So proud of Kaitlyn today! I was about to go for a run when I heard footsteps. Assuming it was JT I said, "Hi there Muff...." only to see my oldest at the foot of the stairs. It was about 6:15, and K said, "Mommy was sleeping, so I didn't wake her." SO PROUD!!!!! Jenny desperately needed the sleep, as her poor body is banged up and really needed to heal. Thank you, Kaitlyn!
Jenny did get in at the doctor today, and as a treat for the girls being so good during the appointment, she took them to Dollar Tree, where they picked "Chocolate bunnies" as their reward (too cute). They then hit CFA for lunch (and ice cream for the 6th day in a row...just sayin'...).Not a whole lot to report today, but K is pressing full speed ahead on Level 2 books. Jenny is tracking the books she reads and the amount of time spent daily, as there is a way to record that (and earn rewards) at the library. K is spending about 20 minutes a night reading, but she also reads to Cora when she wakes up from her nap (and throughout the day), as well as in the car sometimes when we're traveling. The other night she read one of the Princess Adventure Stories, and she CRUSHED IT! I am so proud of her!!!
She's also started spelling words. I have been impressed with the amount of words she's spelled thus far (and she has realized it's a great way to talk to us without Cora understanding :-)). But on the Cora front, I MUST give her credit for how quickly her enunciation is improving! She is getting much clearer on her words, and that little voice is still just so sweet (when she's not screaming at you or crying in your face, of course). It should be noted that we've had to bring out the rod of love for bear, and we actually trotted it out a few times over this past weekend (it's 6/17 as I type this). We just lightly tapped her this weekend, but she still bawled like you wouldn't believe. Terrible two's in full effect!!!
Other note for the evening - Kaitlyn has really expressed an interest in helping us cook on a nightly basis. Sometimes this takes the form of mixing or stirring, other times it's breaking eggs, and other times it's pouring stuff. Well, tonight she wanted to help us make the salad (Caesar in a bag), and get this - SHE. LOVED. IT. Seriously - that girl ate THREE HELPINGS OF SALAD!!!! She even asked for it on Friday night and again on Saturday! I mean....WHO IS THIS GIRL?!?!!? :-)6/14 - SWIM A THON DAY! It was chilly (59 degrees during her set), but Kaitlyn. Did. AWESOME!!!! That girl laid down 13 laps (each lap is 25 yards) in 30 minutes! I was so proud of her when she walked over to the table with all of those rubber bands (I was volunteering, recording the # of laps). Kaitlyn's stroke has REALLY improved. It's been awesome to watch.
Also, exciting news on the Bradford front - the new curriculum arrived today! Also, they started paving the lot for the gym! I am SO excited about that, as having that space for nearly all of K's time (and definitely all of Bear's) is going to be absolutely INCREDIBLE. So excited! Go Bears!
So a classic moment on the Cora front - it was nap time, but she flat REFUSED to climb into her bed for nap (or even to just play and "read"). Consequently, JT did the right thing and just said "see you in a bit" and then closed the door. Well, fast forward about thirty minutes, and Cora's room is SILENT. JT checks the monitor, and there's one small problem - Cora isn't in the bed! Sure enough, we go in to check, and there she is - PASSED OUT AND SNORING on the floor right beside the bed. She was so tired she just fell asleep in her "frump spot." How funny is that? And best of all - she slept over TWO HOURS like that!
Now there is no easy way to say it - Bear has been TOUGH lately. Given our schedules and the desire to just be out longer, she's missing her nap probably twice a week - usually on consecutive days. I didn't think it would be that big of a deal, but Jenny was right all along - that girl DEFINITELY still needs a nap. And let me tell you - when she is upset, it is LOUD. Those little lungs are getting stronger, and she is crying with the force of a hundred banshees. But the funnier part - you can tell she's faking in almost every single case, as usually she gets distracted and then cuts off the tears INSTANTLY. I keep telling her that she needs to work on her acting, as right now her tells are very easy to spot. :-)
My buddy BJ came over that evening, and we grilled out and ate outside. That was a TREAT, and the girls loved it. The tiki torches really did their thing - that stuff works! We even got out on the golf course to run around (and roll around) as it got dark (there was a full moon, so that helped). Kaitlyn was out there screaming "BEST. DAY. EVER!!!!!", with Cora repeating it - hilarious! I mean, that absolutely loved it!This summer has just been such a great one for me, as it really does feel like we're starting to mature as a family and use the space we have. We are using all of our outdoor space and making use of so many of the things we've purchased over the years. It really does feel like we are making the most of our time - the yard (which I am finally watering), the flowers, the pools, the deck, the patio, and the screen porch. I am a man at peace! Oh, and did I mention how much I love the ice maker? :-)
6/15 - SWIM MEET! This was the first home meet of the year, and it was GREAT. Kaitlyn did really, really good - I am SO IMPRESSED with her form! She shaved 9 SECONDS off her backstroke (which is the toughest stroke for her, coming in under a minute! Way to go, kid! She laid down almost the exact freestyle time (just .27 of a second slower), but considering this pool is 5 yards longer than the Hamptons, I'll treat that as a win (and likely a PR - I need to check!).
After that, we rolled over to Carowinds for what I thought would be an EPIC day. And while it was, the drive down there was...well...HORRENDOUS! Seriously - we left a bit later than normal (right after the swim meet, so about 10:15 AM, but the 30 minute drive took OVER 2 HOURS! I was not in a good place, and for awhile I didn't think there was any way we'd even get into the park. When I said this to Kaitlyn (just trying to manage expectations), she started BAWLING. She fought hard to contain it, but she was so upset. I felt terrible, as I had planned this outing as a fun Father's Day weekend activity. It was definitely trending that way.
Eventually, we did get into the park (by the Grace of God!), and we spent the next 5.5 hours there - all in the waterpark. It was quite the journey to get in, and my foot is still sore from walking around so much in flip flops. However, it was a GREAT day. Kaitlyn measured 48 inches (thanks to her flip flops), which meant that she was tall enough to go on EVERYTHING by herself in Carolina Harbor. Consequently, we hit Blackbeard's revenge and tore up some tube slides!We went down 5 times, and the last 2 Kaitlyn went down by herself - first time she's EVER done a solo tube. The first trip down was perfect - good speed, lots of turns, and then this awesome skid across the water when we landed. K looked at me and said, "THAT. WAS. AWESOME!" She was hooked! Water dog just like her mama. :-)
She also had 4 laps in the lazy river (first time she didn't have to have a life jacket!) and spent over an HOUR in the wave pool! She was a ROCK star treading water - I was well and truly impressed! We finished the night with ice cream (49 cents!) from QT on the way home, followed by pizza on the deck. I mean...talk about a GREAT day (and awesome lead in to Father's Day!).
Oh, Bear's classic moment - she discovered the water slides in the kiddie area, and she absolutely LOVED them. She slide constantly, and we got some super cute video. The funny moment was when she asked me to sing the "Rainbow song" from My Little Pony. I started singing it as per her request, and then she said, "Stop. That. Is. Awful." I mean...
6/16 - FATHER'S DAY!!!!!!! It was a great one all around - SO relaxing, so much focused time with my family, a GREAT message at church that really resonated with me, some great photo ops at church, and - for the 7th time in a row - an AWESOME photo collage from Jenny. This was one of her best!
After church, we hit the pool for a bit, but by and large we were pretty chill. We ate outside for the 3rd night in a row (which was awesome), and we spent most of the evening listening to Bear recite her favorite phrase (I hope you're ready for this): "Macaroni what the pants...BOOM!" Seriously - BJ was cackling - couldn't get enough of it. :-)
The funnier part - oftentimes I have NO IDEA what Cora is saying, but Kaitlyn can ALWAYS translate it correctly. I mean, we are talking WITHOUT FAIL - it's incredible!
6/17 - Today I got to drive K to swim practice (it's moved to 8 AM for the remainder of the season...which is just 2 more weeks!). She swam hard (always does!), and then JT picked her up and took her to Stonebridge United Methodist for....VBS, BABY!!!!! I didn't get too many details, but she seemed to really enjoy it. She knew several folks there (which always helps), and she came home with a cute little bracelet that said "Look to God," a little toy, and her very own homemade "Egyptian brick with straw." I reckon that means they are talking about the Exodus... :-) All in all, a GREAT morning!In the afternoon I had a gap between meetings and played a bit of hooky, taking K to the pool for an hour while Bear slept. That girl swam like a FISH! Seriously - we just had 45 minutes, but she dove for her ring and swam the length of that pool NONSTOP. I was impressed! Her lungs are DEFINITELY getting stronger, and she is really able to stay under water longer. Also, I am noticing that she's definitely got a second speed gear when she puts her mind to it!
Also, something very cool today - we started Kaitlyn on 10 minutes of "school work" after lunch (before she can have her tablet). Ms. Pate gave her a geometry workbook and a learning packet for the summer, and included with it were tips on how to keep your child's learning fresh in their minds. K was great about it - actually did even more than the 10 minutes and the sheets Jenny suggested! Love it!
Also, two other big bits of news - we are enrolling K in piano! First lesson is this week! So excited! We got a great deal, as there is a former music teacher who's daughter (age 14 wants to start teaching). They are giving us 4 lessons for a total of $50, and each lesson is 45 min. Can't beat that!
Also, Kaitlyn is going to try Girl Scouts with Ellie this fall! We haven't even told her yet, but Ellie's mom knows the Den Master (or whatever their equivalent is), and they were recruiting for some rising first graders. Kaitlyn and Ellie are thick as thieves at the moment (think Kaitlyn and Kate this time last year), and so this feels like a win-win.
It really has been cool to watch Kaitlyn develop such strong relationships with new peeps. She actually said the other day "I really hope I'm in Ellie's class next year!" I reminded her she thought the same thing about Kate last year, and as a result of NOT being in class together, they now have new best friends as well! That actually seemed to resonate with K (re-sult!). Oh, and because she has been so focused on it and worked so hard, I feel that we need to celebrate a milestone in Kaitlyn's matriculation: she can now wrap a towel around her hair all by herself! It's so cute, and she looks SO GROWN UP when she's got it wrapped. I mean, it is quite funny to see her head wrapped and her running around naked, but still - progress is definitely being made.
I do think K is starting to be more cognizant of boy parts and girl parts these days. The tell for me was yesterday at the pool when she didn't want to deck change but rather wanted to go to the bathroom. I didn't really fight it, as truthfully that will be the appropriate (and only) course of action soon. If anything, it's good that she's aware. But luckily we can still change Bear's diaper in front of everyone and their brother. :-)
And speaking of Bear - she rattled off almost all of Vol Nana's kitties tonight (and also got Molly and Jake - woof woof - in there). Too funny! Also, just like her sister, Cora is now ALL ABOUT MEOWING...ALL THE TIME. And unlike Kaitlyn's well practiced and polished feline noises, Bear's is more of a harsh "MEOW!" scream in your face. It apparently translates to, "LEAVE ME ALONE," as that is what she says when I lean in for a hug. Good times... :-)Today was a really, really good day. Swimming with K and having that focused time was special - very much like old times. Being able to help Jenny around the house (given her shoulder) was a big win and made be feel good, and driving K to swim practice and being part of her routine was a win as well. And reading to bear and then rocking her to sleep was a GREAT way to end the evening. God has really blessed me with peace and energy over these last couple of days, and it has just been an incredible transformation. For awhile it felt a bit like I was running on empty, but I'm definitely energized and have my power turned up right now!
6/19 - The last two days have been great. Work was really good both days, and there was still enough of a break on Tuesday to allow me another 45 min swim with K up at Prosperity. It was such a blast - lots of laughing and playing - so much fun! And I gotta say - that girl is REALLY doing an amazing job of holding her breath underwater. She swam SO HARD during that window. Between that and swimming hard at practice, it's no wonder she slept 12 HOURS last night! Not kidding - 7:30-7:30!Yesterday Jenny bought the girls matching crocs (with the back strap), and they are so CUTE! It is SO NICE for them to have slip-on pool shoes that are sturdier than the flip flops we're all wearing - they will make a BIG difference at the pool and at places like Carowinds. YAY! Plus they look adorable on them both. Also, Bear is really loving going outside, and we definitely need some shoes for that girl so that she doesn't get any splinters on the deck.
Speaking of Bear, she is FINALLY starting to get the hang of brushing! When it finally occurred to me to ask her to "watch Yaya," she seemed to get it. In that moment she realized what she was supposed to do with the brush, and she actually started doing it! Now granted, she's still swallowing toothpaste, but hey - it's progress! Plus she's enjoying it more. Tonight I said, "Do you think you can brush even better than yesterday?" She nodded...and then proceeded to outperform last night's effort. RE-SULT!
Bear is also starting to learn the words to lots of songs - Sofia the first, 5 little monkeys, some Christian music, and my favorite - Don't Worry About a Thing. Too cute! She's also trying to say the alphabet now, and it's HILARIOUS when she gets in the middle and just starts mumbling while skipping over them. Pretty funny. She's also still picking her left nose CONSTANTLY, but hey - we'll get there. It's hilarious when I ask, "Are you gold digging?" "Uh-huh!" Well...at least she's honest.Audrey from the swim team came by today, and the girls played for a solid 3 hours. They were great, and at the end K did the sweetest thing - she gave Audrey one of her Hatchimals! She asked JT if she could, saying, "I want to give her one because she doesn't have any." I mean...pretty cute right there...
Bear was down before 7 tonight, and K about 7:25. K was shocked and said, "Normally when there's just 1 parent it's much later." Surprise!!!! Daddy was starving and had to eat!
6/20 - Big day today - Kaitlyn's first piano lesson! She absolutely LOVED it - such good news. She even gave the instructor a hug when she left. Her instructor, Emma, is 14 and is just starting to teach piano. I honestly think that's perfect for K, as they are learning together. They asked Jenny to stay in the room with her, and Jenny said that it was great (45 min lesson - BONUS!). Emma's siblings played with Cora in the other room, where they did puzzles, played with stickers, and apparently had a blast! Matter of fact, they had so much fun they didn't want to leave!
The afternoon was a planned pool day, but a huge storm cut that short after about 30 minutes. Not all was lost, however, as they packed up and went over to Theresa's house to play and have dinner (Papa John's). They girls had a BLAST and again - they didn't want to leave! All in all, I'd say it was a good day.
The storm in question was particularly nasty, for the record - INSANE wind and pounding rain came out of nowhere and lasted about 10 minutes. It was the hardest storm K had ever been in, and she did get scared at one point (JT said she started crying, which was more than understandable given the ferocity). I'm just glad it ended on a high note!
On the Bear front, today she did the world map puzzle 100% on her own!!! Amazing!!!! That is a first - that girl's got the gift! But here's the random thing - when she hears someone in the house pass gas, she's started saying, "You fart!" Which is MIND-BLOWING, because we don't say that! We found out the culprit, so we'll have to be mindful of that (Kate :-)). Amazing how quickly they pick things up!
6/21 - VBS ended today, and Jenny took Bear to watch the final performance. I unfortunately was stuck at work and didn't get to attend as planned, but Jenny said it was a lot of fun! She really enjoyed this camp, and she LOVES the music - it is our "cd of choice" as we are driving around. She also loves the little trinkets (especially the bracelet) she received from there - a wonderful experience! Full marks to the good people at Stonebridge UMC for making it such a wonderful, faith based experience for the kids. And I am happy to report that both Kaitlyn and Bear know a lot of the words to the songs! It's so cute to listen to them fight over who gets to pick the next song in the car. We've had to institute rules. :-)
Kaitlyn did her first little bit of piano practice today! I have to say that I've been really, really pleased with how willingly she's practiced piano and done her summer learning packet. If anything, she's been keen to do more of the summer learning packet than the allotted 10 minutes a day, which is GREAT! We have tried to impress upon her that practicing daily will just be a fact of life if she continues, so watch this space!
Did I mention how nice it is that music is such a part of our lives right now? It's really been great - the jam box and Google Music have been absolute game changers, and it's so great to watch the girls dance and sing all the time. Cora is ALL ABOUT spinning and dancing - too cute! It's really been a wonderful lift in the house - especially with summer rolling around the corner. Also, seeing Cora in all the cute dresses Kaitlyn wore for so long has been a hoot. She seems to be more of a shorts and t-shirt girl so far, but we'll see if that trend continues. K is still ALL ABOUT dresses. So interesting to watch how these two are alike yet different.
We lit up the fire pit tonight so the girls could see it (even played a little soccer in the back yard), and K immediately sat down and said, "Dada, tell scary stories like Granny A!" I was not necessarily in a mood to tell scary stories, which did NOT make K best pleased. But she went forth and told her own story, which was cute. Oh, and K has been a big help watering the hydrangeas - she is really enjoying that! And I am happy to report that they are still alive and kicking as we enter July - even have some new blooms!Oh, and remember that green bean we planted, it is now HUGE!!!! We've had to move it to a bigger pot, and it is growing like something out of the Amazon.
6/22 - Today was a GREAT one - Pool Day! Jenny designated this weekend as my "Father's Day Part 2," and it was absolutely incredible. We met Clan McLaren at the pool for several hours, and I was able to really just relax, chill, and then play as I wanted to. It was just a wonderful day, complete with grilling in the evening! We had a lot of fun, the girls had a blast, everyone played hard, and K even got some Italian ice. No complaints to be found anywhere!
That was not the case in the evening when K wet the bed. We forgot to remind her to pee before bed, and both girls had CHUGGED Gatorade. Cora slept through the night, but her diaper both right before bed and the morning of were ENORMOUS - hilarious!
6/23 - Today was a really fun day, starting at 8 AM at Clan McLaren's for....THE CRICKET! That's right, sports fans, Team Taylor were the lone Americans amidst a group of South Africans watching the ICC Cricket Cup, with the featured match being RSA vs. Pakistan. They got crushed, but we spent a good 6+ hours there laughing, eating an AMAZING breakfast and very good lunch, being introduced to the Moscow Mule, and learning about a sport that until Sunday had been COMPLETELY foreign to me. It was so much fun. The girls had a blast as well - K was sad to leave! It was a really good re-connect with Kate, as they hadn't really seen each other much over the summer (other than the day before at the pool, obviously). We even made time between innings to go out and play some cricket in the driveway! That was a hoot - so neat to watch other cultures in action.
We spent the afternoon at the pool with Team Burch, and it was a really good 2+ hours. At that point, K had been at the pool 4 days in a row (this is excluding swim practice), but everyone still seemed to really be enjoying it. Kaitlyn and Taylie play GREAT together, and Cora was really entertained by a little blow-up clown fish. When I said, "Is that a clown fish?" she replied, "No, GAG. This is a type of Nemo Fish." I tried to reason with her a second time...NO AVAIL. Oh well, as long as she's happy and speaking to me, that's worth something.
Speaking of Cora - her bowel movements have been almost EXCLUSIVELY pellets as of late. She even calls it before we change her, "These are pebbles. GAG." It's really tough to get the girl to eat anything other than cheese and carbs - to the point that she won't eat anything other than those unless you offer her something else first! Jenny has started making her eat her fruit (I mean FRUIT for crying out loud! What kid doesn't eat FRUIT!?!?!?) before she'll give her a cheese stick at lunch, and we always make her eat all her fruit and veg before she can have seconds of whatever the main meal is. Full disclosure - She. HATES. this. She will often kick up a fuss and push her plate around, throw her fork, knock over her milk, etc. Consequently, we are stiffening up the discipline. She has felt the "rod of love" a few times over the past week or so, almost always due to willful disobedience. It's funny - we'll ask her to do something and she'll say, "No. Don't get the Wod of Wuv." Then, after a final chance, I walk over and lightly (and I mean CRAZY light...and against the diaper for crying out loud) tap her. She then BREAKS INTO WAILING. We'll get there! And let's face it - she's still pretty darn cute most of the time. The other night she asked Kaitlyn to tickle her, and watching them play was just priceless.
The girls played so hard that night that they went OUT light lights. Seriously - Cora fell asleep ON ME, which I don't think has ever happened. In this case it was almost instantly, and she was so sweet when I put her down for the night. Reading to her has been really, really great lately - 2 books, then prayer and rocking, and then she's out. Love that kid!
6/24 - Big day for Kaitlyn at the Y - Big kids go to the gym in Summer!!!! The got to play lots of games, and Kaitlyn's team even won one of them! She was MUCH happier about this experience vs. being in the community room, so that's exciting.
The girls hit the pool with Taylie and Team Burch again - Cora was a kicking machine! She's really starting to move those arms and legs, which is exciting to see. We have her on the YMCA individual swim lesson wait list for the fall - excited to get her swimming like Sis!
I must say, it really does feel like we're making summer count. I have LOVED how we've used our pools, our outdoor space, eaten watermelon, played outside, been with friends, and just tried to live life outdoors as much as possible. We've relaxed bedtimes and had so many outdoor activities, we've really been able to turn off all tablets and electronics and just soak in some family time. THANK YOU, FATHER!!!!! I love where we live - the neighborhood, the city, and the country. So blessed.
6/25 - Once again, the girls made it count! Daughters of mine, make sure you say a big THANK YOU to your mother when you read this, as she has been fully committed to you both this summer! The day started at a Splash pad up in Huntersville, after which time they hit the park and played for a bit. Then it was back to Clarke Creek pool with Team McLaren - 6th day in a row in the water! You can tell that the sun, chlorine, and sun screen are taking their toll on K's face. We are actually putting Jenny's top of the line face lotion on her at this point. The good news is that it's definitely helping - want to protect that skin!
And a victory on the Cora front - Jenny has started with fruit in the morning before cereal, and Cora is eating it! Same thing at lunch and at dinner. Slowly but surely, we are getting there. I mean, these veggies have CHEESE on them for crying out loud - they are basically a souflee of goodness!
6/26 - FRONT TOOTH IS OUT!!!!!! That's right, sports fans, the front tooth is now out, and HOLY MOLY is that a big gap. It's so funny - you always know the gaps will be big since there's so much space between the teeth anyway, but when you take out a top front, it's amazing! The photos have been SO CUTE. Now I will say - I had to be VERY deliberate with the placement of the tooth under the pillow, as we wanted to ensure it was as close as possible to the edge. Full credit to Jenny, as she was the one who made the "Tooth Fairy Transaction" - well played! And yes, K got a whopping $4 vs. the normal $2 - that's the going rate for top front teeth. :-)
It was really cute - I had to be at work early that day, but K requested that Jenny FaceTime me to show her. Sure enough, I called and BAM - there was a gap in the smile! Love it! Thank you, kiddo - I am really, really happy (and honored) that you wanted to call me. The girls then went to a Scavenger Hunt hosted by the neighborhood, and Kaitlyn was on a team with Fiona and Alison. And get this - THEY WON THE SCAVENGER HUNT! And best of all? They EACH got a $20 AMC gift card! It was hilarious - when I asked what they had to find, K rattled off a few things: "pine cone, six blades of grass, etc." Then she said, "and we had to find a dead ant. So we found a live one and killed it." WOW. So....maybe a teaching moment down the road...
The afternoon consisted of finger panting, tablet watching, and even a little pool time (shocking, that). K did her learning packet and her piano lessons - she's been really, really good about practicing!
Oh, and Bear decided she didn't want to nap, so she tried to get out of her room. However, because of the door lock, she couldn't make it happen. The end result? She fell asleep AGAINST THE DOOR in the floor. Jenny found her when she went to open the door to her room and hit Cora in the head with the door upon opening it! Stinker...
And in another big news story - Kaitlyn has FINALLY decided that she wants to spend some of her money (she's got $215 that we know about - EXCLUDING what's in the piggy bank)! And after careful consideration on Amazon, she's now the proud owner of a $43 Mermaid tale! We explained the value of comparison shopping, so we'll see the quality for money on this one. Watch this space!Oh, and Cora has started watching My Little Pony from the beginning! That's right, sports fans - what's old is new again. But she is SO funny. When she finishes one, she'll say, "Can I watch another one?" We'll say yes, but when that ends and she asks again, we always so no (I mean, this is like CLOCKWORK). She INSTANTLY flails about in protest. I mean, kid...something else. :-)
6/27 - Jenny started them at the Y today, and then the fast follow was the Mallard Creek Rec Center. They had a blast - even made two friends to play with there! Jenny said it was really cute watching them - Cora and Kaitlyn were the kitties, and the two other friends were the doggies chasing them. Cora is absolutely LOVING pretending to be a cat right now (shocking) - but her meow is HARSH TO THE EARS. Kaitlyn basically has the sounds perfected. Bear...not so much.
Side note - at dinner, I've started asking each person what the best part of their day was. I think that's been well received, and it feels less invasive when compared to peppering them with questions (which is what I've done in times previous). Plus I like keeping the positive spin on things. Hopefully we can have this trend continue.
Piano lessons went great - K really enjoyed it again, and once again they didn't want to leave! Bear did puzzles with the other kids, and they seem super sweet. I am SO HAPPY with how this is working out thus far! I had a service event that evening, but they rolled over to Prosperity Park for almost 3 hours of swimming and pizza - Papa John's Delivery, baby! A great time was apparently had by all, and I even made it home in time to say good night to each of them.
6/28 - A big day - the last day of swim practice! We've got a meet tomorrow, but after that the season is over! This season has been really, really great. Jenny's got a good circle of moms to chat with, the kids all seem to be getting along really well, and the smaller team has made for more focused time between K and the coaches, with the net result being that her stroke has really, REALLY improved. I feel SO fortunate and blessed to have this in the neighborhood - THANK YOU, FATHER!!!!! And I really like the friends she's making on the team and this year's experience - definitely a GREAT first month of summer in the books. The afternoon was spent backing for TN - it's VACATION WEEK, BABY!!!!! Kaitlyn practiced piano, and then Cora followed after. And get this - Kaitlyn actually played a short little song! I was blown away! It was really, really cool to see. Admittedly it was simple, but she nailed it!
And the Mermaid tail arrived today!!!! While there is a defect with the bow (which we've written the manufacturer about already), it is absolutely adorable! She has been in it non-stop and is desperate to go to the pool (would be the 9th day in a row), but we've just got too much to do (and want to get them to bed early - K is EXHAUSTED and Bear napped face down on the carpet today...as she normally does when she's being obstinate :-)).
I had the chance to have lunch with the girls (surprised them), and now we are just in the waiting game until tomorrow (and loading up the Xterra!). Two more cute things to note:
1. When K is talking to Cora, she often emulates us and says, "No, honey, like this." Or she may say, "Come on, honey, you can do it." Same inflection and everything - too cute!2. As K goes to all these camps (to say nothing of vacations and Kindy), she naturally accumulates a ton of stuff, most of which isn't designed to keep. However, getting her to throw something away is virtually IMPOSSIBLE. And honestly, it's so cute, because when we ask her to toss something, she'll say, "Keep it as a memory?" I mean, how do you say no to that? And truthfully, I have a weak spot for it, as that is EXACTLY how I was growing up. Until I was in my late 30's, it was virtually impossible for me to part with anything! The DNA imprint runs strong in that one, my friends...
6/29 - Last swim meet! We were over at River Run, which is a SUPER nice complex. K swam really hard and finished strong - she was even in Jenny's lane! That was the first time that has ever happened, and it was too funny watching her smile every time she came up for air.
After the meet (including a brief stop at the play area), Team Taylor changed clothes and headed off to vacation in.....TENNESSEE, BABY!!!!!!!!! The X was loaded for bear - his 4th trip over the mountain! We stopped in Black Mountain for some ice cream at Kilwin's, and luckily we got one of the two tables inside (it was a basquillion degrees on the street - the ice creams wouldn't have made it any time). We then rolled onto Asheville highway, at which point poor Cora Bear started looking quite unwell...AGAIN! She put her hand over her mouth a couple of times, and ultimately we just decided that we had to stop. So we pulled off at a stream and let the girls walk in mountain water for the first time ever while they got their sea legs back under them. Poor Bear really does get car sick! I absolutely hate it for her and can definitely relate. Consequently, I think that's the end of Asheville Highway for us (for the foreseeable future, at least). We drove home via 40, and that was MUCH better - even the windy section didn't seem to bother either of them. Also, I should say that the girls didn't love their first creek experience. It wasn't the cold, but rather a) the bugs (I mean...COME ON!) and b) the slipperiness of the rocks that seemed to bother them. They were both in crocs, and they definitely weren't capable of standing on their own. The stream was moving pretty good as well, so I wasn't willing to let them go too far afield. Jenny ended up sitting in the back with them for the remainder of the trip (just to ensure no vomit), and the remainder of the drive passed without incident. I have to say - the girls were GREAT on the drive over. They were really good about playing with each other and with what was back there, didn't beg for the tablet non-stop, and didn't ask how much longer until arrival. And the cutest thing - listening to the girls argue over which VBS song to listen to next! They were ALL ABOUT the new CD, and they both know a lot of the words! Love these kiddos!!!
Our last stop before Vol Nana's was Yoder's, where we purchased enough candy to feed a small army. Cora LOVED it and wanted to put EVERYTHING in our cart. It's funny - it was almost 3 PM, and that place was PACKED! It was then over to Vol Nana's where we almost immediately jumped into the pool to cool off and relax. It was a BIG moment for Kaitlyn, as she got to break out the Mermaid tail for the first time!!!
So I will be honest - this thing was $43, and I didn't think K would play with it. She had worn it all day around the house on Friday before we left, but I just didn't think it would be that practical. Well, as it turns out, she is a veritable TORPEDO with that thing! Seriously - she has the butterfly form DOWN PAT, and she absolutely FLIES in the water! It was unreal! When we played tag, she could genuinely catch up to me! It was so cool to see.
It was a BIG moment for Bear as well, as a switch flipped in her mind and she FINALLY let us use the puddle jumper!!! Seriously - this was EPIC freedom for both her and us, as now it meant that we didn't have to constantly have a parent hovering over her or sitting on the steps. GAME CHANGER, BABY!!!!!!
We had a GREAT evening, and the girls were on Cloud 9. Between the doggies, the kitties, the pool, mac 'n cheese, Disney Jr., and Vol Nana, the girls could NOT have been happier. And things went even better for Cora, as she absolutely loved her big girl bed! Mom had done a GREAT job of walling her in, and Cora slept like a champ up there (and really, really loved it).
6/30 - Today was another great day for everyone, and we essentially just hung out and took it easy. K spent a huge chunk of time in the pool, where she was able to go underwater with her mermaid tail the length of the pool! I mean, that's pretty awesome, right? She did the whole distance (probably 35-40 feet) in a single breath! K really has the motion down from learning Fly during swim team, and you can tell that her little tummy is getting stronger and forming some abs. #diesel, baby!!!!The day was a whirlwind of making cookies, swimming, eating pizza, watching movies, and making snow cones. In the evening, Bear wouldn't settle - especially once Kaitlyn got in there with her. We went in there 3 times to try and get her to settle, but that girl just kept singing "3 Little Birds" by Bob Marley (and some TV theme show) over and over! The last time I walked in, Cora was on her back singing, and K was out of bed with her hands over her ears staring at me. HILARIOUS!
But all's well that ends well, as we decided to put Kaitlyn in Vol Nana's room (there's a second bed in there). This was a best case scenario for K, as it meant that a) kitties could be in the room with her, b) she was with Vol Nana, and c) it was the quietest room in the house (complete with Google white noise).
Speaking of kitties, Cora has been HILARIOUS chasing them down! She flat stalks them and runs around after them like crazy! These two girls are cat petting machines - hilarious! Now Bear did step on Charlie's tail once, which was less than ideal. However, they still got plenty of loving. :-)
So there you have it - an EPIC start to summer! I must say, I am very, VERY pleased with how much we've packed in to the first 3 weeks of summer break. Honestly, all credit goes to JT, as she has really put her life and schedule on hold to make every minute count with the rug rats. Luckily I've been able to join them a lot as well, and it really feels like we've done a good job of staying connected with friends - especially for K, where it's so important to keep those bonds in place over the summer.
Chat with you all in a month - stay cool!
Love,
Sam and Jenny
