Gazing Ball

For Father's Day this year I made this patriotic gazing ball for my dad using his old bowling ball from the 80s.  The girls helped me glue some of the pieces onto the ball.  Next year I would like to make one that has a lady bug on it.

Just Being a Kid

One of my favorite summertime pictures of Erin. :)  Just precious!

Swimming Lessons

We enrolled the girls in swimming lessons before summer started.  We want them to be familiar with the water since we'll be spending a lot of time at the lake in the boat.  Both girls really enjoy swimming and had great instructors this year.

Twirling

Holy Cannoli!  I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted anything on here.  I forgot how to log in.  I transferred my blog into books last year and want to continue with another book for this year.  I have a lot of catching up to do!  We've had a busy summer!

Now onto the twirling.  Emmy has developed a major bad habit of twirling her hair.  She twirls it so bad that it gets knotted up and I can't get the knots out.  She has cut her own hair a few times and I think I've had to cut it a few times due to some major knots.  This summer she got a piece of candy stuck in her hair so she grabbed the scissors and cut away.  I have hid all scissors!

Heaven is For Real

Brad shared a touching story with me the other night.  As he was putting Erin to bed and saying their prayers, Erin told him that there were two heavens.  She said Grandpa Harley & Grandpa Bernie are up in heaven and we have a heaven downstairs.  Brad was curious so he asked her to show him where heaven was.  She pulled him downstairs and pointed to this photo shown below.  Awe...She's such a little sweetheart! 
The girls have been a little curious about heaven lately since both Brad and I have recently lost our grandfathers.  Emmy told me in the car yesterday that when you get to 100 years old, you die and go to heaven.  She also said that when she goes to heaven, she's going to eat a lot of Skittles. 
She then went on to talk about Grandpa Harley and him being in heaven.  I asked her if she remembered seeing him and she replied, "Yeah, he was laying down with his eyes closed but he didn't eat his Hot Tamales." 
I don't know how she even remembers some of these things.  There was a box of Hot Tamales placed in his coffin because it was one of his favorite candies.  She has such a memory on her.  Bless her little heart!

Mother's Day

We spent Mother's Day relaxing & playing.  Brad and the girls treated me to a day spa package & an inversion therapy table for my back.  I can't wait to experience both of them.  The table should be arriving in the mail any day now.  Emmy wrote me a special letter with the help of her teacher at school & she also gave me a cookbook which has all kinds of yummy recipes from her Four Star Express Preschool friends.

I'm so lucky to be these girls' mommy.  They are so special to me & bring joy to my life every day.
We spent the afternoon at the park with our neighbors and ended up running into a cousin of mine - John Lauritsen & his family.  It was nice catching up with him.  He only lives two blocks from our house!  Small world!

Dance Trophy

Last Thursday Emmy received her 2nd year trophy at Dancin' on Broadway.  She was so excited to hold her trophy.  I asked her again if she likes to dance.  She replied, "I just like dancing on the big stage." 

Three Generations

When my mom was four years old, my grandmother had my mom's pictures taken with this little white lace collar.  My grandma Hazel handed the collar down to my mom at some point and then my mom kept it all through the years.  When I turned four, my mom arranged to have my pictures taken dressed in the same little white collar, ironically at the same studio. 
So, now it's fitting that I have Emmy's pictures taken with this collar since she is four years old.  This 60+ year old collar has made quite the journey. 
I was on the hunt for the perfect little dress to go with the collar.  I searched EVERY store possible with no luck and then ended up finding someone on Etsy who handmade the dress for Emmy.  It turned out just perfect. 
We will do this again next year when little miss Erin turns four.  I can't wait!  Now we're on the hunt for the perfect frame. 
I hope that some day if Emmy & Erin have any daughters of their own that they will continue this special tradition.

Pictured from left:  My mom Linda, Me, Emmy.