Bring an Apple and a Smile

Ella and Liliana started their first day of third grade the day after Jack began Kindergarten.

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They are very excited about the new school year. They even wore their very special First Communion necklaces that they received from their Great Gran and Grandaddy in Kentucky.
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Here's Ella.

Here's Liliana.

Click HERE to see the girls on their first day of second grade.

Click HERE to see their first day of first grade.

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Liliana

Liliana

It was the night before

Third grade and the kiddos were excited!

What?!!!

Believe it - Jack is a Kindergartner.

Click HERE to see Jack on his first day of preschool.

Click HERE to see last year's first day of preschool.
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I tried to talk him out of going on our way to school. I said "Let's forget it. How about Chuck E Cheese instead of Kindergarten? Jack said "Noooo!" So I said "ok, ok, how about the Toy Store? We can go downtown and you can choose any toy you want." Jack said, "Mom!" And I said, "C'mon, let's go to Disney World!!" Jack said, "how about after Kindergarten?"
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So, it's official. My baby boy is a real live Kindergartner.

And here is the proof.

Singin', er, uh Swimmin' in the Rain

This past weekend we went for an afternoon swim. It was sunny when we left for the pool, but after about 15 minutes it started to sprinkle. Then it started to pour. Derek took Julietta to the shelter and looked like this (see below).

Ella and Liliana took advantage of the empty pool and continued their Olympic training. They raced.

It was close,

but the photo finish revealed that Ella won by a hair. Liliana always has the BIKE RACE.

Julietta didn't make into the water.

We all camped out in the shelter for a while.

and enjoyed the last Saturday of summer vacation.

Oh, and Ella lost a tooth after all that. The tooth fairy came (see her goodies next to the bed).

To clarify, the girls each have a bed right next to each other. They can bicker all day and then cram together into a single twin bed. Silly girls!

Those Eyes ... and that smile

When out on the town with Julietta the thing I hear the most is "look at those EYES!" Julietta hears this, she smiles, and the stranger says "and that smile!"

I love it.

Beach Babes

Julietta loves swiming and napping in the shade on sunny summer days.

"So, am I supposed to wipe my feet on this like a mat or is it just a sweater vest for the swimming pool?"

Based on this experience I hope I am never stranded on a raft with Derek

Three of a kind.

Double Trouble

Kindergartener

Jack spent the final days of summer preparing to go Kindergarten. An all Kindergarten play date was organized at a local park. Jack ended up "hangin' with the dudes" near a wall or in a top secret tree area. He was way too cool for the swing and slide.

Bye, Bye shaggy summer hair.

Hello back to school do.

Going to the back to school mass. (Jack is right in the middle)

And, dropping the school supplies in his new classroom.

Butter to my bread

Fun in the Sun

We spent lots of time at the pool this summer.

Julietta decided to take up surfing.