First Day of 2nd Grade....Done!

Well, summer is over (sniff, sniff). I used to hear moms say they couldn't wait for summer and I always thought that was strange...it's not like we moms are the ones going to school. But...now I understand. No early mornings, no homework, no struggle to get to bed "on time". We had a GREAT summer with lots of trips to Kings Island, a vacation to Chicago, great time with my sister, brother and their families in from LA, several Reds games.

Yesterday was Brit's first day of 2nd grade. It is hard to believe she is in 2nd grade. Avery asked about her ALL DAY LONG! I think I see preschool in Avery's future!!! :)

Here is a picture of Britlyn with her new teacher, Mrs. Cole. She really likes her (whew)!

Bowling...Not Really My Thing!

My sister and her family are in town from LA! I love having them here...we only get to see them twice a year (sigh).

On Tuesday, we went bowling. As I left the bowling alley with a sore wrist, sore thumb, score of 55 and a sore ego, I decided that bowling will probably never be the way I make my living!

The kids had a great time though! I should have bowled on their lane...they had bumpers!

Here is a picture of my sister with Avery. Avery absolutely adores her.

We went to Kings Island on Wednesday. It was ridiculously hot, but we had a great time! That evening my parents watched all of the kids while we "adults" went back to ride the bigger rides. We rode the Beast and the Vortex, waited in line for 2 other rides only to find out they were "temporarily shut down". We decided we were all tired, so we got some Graeters Ice Cream (yum, yum) and headed home!!

Tonight we are headed to the Reds game and fireworks!!! Good times!

Just Breathe, Amy....Breathe!!!

I have a somewhat (ok...VERY) high maintenance 7 year old who likes a lot of one-on-one attention and doesn't play well on her own! (P.S. I love her to death!) Anyways, a few nights ago, some friends and I got together for a girls night out. One of my friends decided to give me some activities to do that will keep the girls occupied for hours!

She begins by telling me to take a cookie sheet and put some shaving cream on it and let them spread it around with their hands, blah, blah, blah! I quickly stopped her and told her my sister had given me the same "brilliant" idea a month or two ago and there was NO WAY I was going to deal with that mess.

After being told I was OCD and neurotic about cleanliness, I started thinking that maybe I was being ridiculous and needed to let them try this. So, I worked up my nerve yesterday and here you go...

Then, I got brave (or stupid) and decided to let them add food coloring for some fun!

Not sure that the food coloring was the best idea...Avery's hands and arms still look a little like the Incredible Hulk!

The girls LOVED it! I did OK. There were several times that I had to look away from the mess and tell myself to breathe!

When Matt came home from work to see the girls at the table having fun and me working in the kitchen and called me "Martha Stewart", I knew it was a success!!!