Summer is HERE!!!

So Summer is striking back with a vengence.  We have had hot, humid, muggy weather with temps in the upper 80s+.  We finally got to go to the pool today.  We tried a different pool than we usually go to and I have to say I am totally in love with it!  The girls loved it and swam and swam.  It's zero depth and has a small little slide for them, a mushroom splasher and some spray splashers.  The area is way smaller than the waterpark so it's much easier for me to watch them both.  We had such a great day today and are looking forward to heading back later in the week!!

If you are interested here is a link to their website.

http://www.lockportpark.org/chaney_pool.php

Summer is still not exactly here...

Well it's summer, at least it's supposed to be.  It still feels like spring (or fall even).  I just wish that we could have more than one day in a row with decent summer weather and not rain.  It's been quite annoying.  We haven't had the chance to go to the water park.  At least we were able to set up the slip n  slide for the girls in the backyard.  They do love having a waterslide as they call it.

It's been a busy summer so far.  Between recital, and Relay For Life, baseball and Mom's visit, we've been going and going.  J1's last baseball game is this weekend (after 3 rainouts).  I can't even believe how much she has improved over the course of a few months.  She really does enjoy it and Daddy loves helping her.

Mom brought a book for the girls when she came.  It's a take on "There was an Old Lady that Swallowed a Fly", it's about a coyote.  Well she read it to them every night and it's now their favorite book and after reading it so many times they can actually "read" it themselves.  They both know the book by heart and love to read it to Mommy and Daddy.  There is something so amazing and special in their little faces as they "read" to us.  The pride in their voices when they read the last line is so amazing.  I am so proud of them.  Now we just have to find some more books to teach them to "read".

We had a "Cousins Sleepover" last weekend.  My niece and nephew were here and it went fantastic.  The kids were all great.  They all went to bed, slept through the night and got along really well.  It was nice to see how they can all play together so nice with minimal drama.  With J2 and my nephew being so close in age I was prepared for all kinds of fights and sharing issues and I was so happy that there were none.  I was also worried for my nephew because we don't have any "boy" toys here.  Well he found a light up toy that we had gotten last year turned it into a light saber and had a blast.  It was definitely a very successful overnight.

The girls went to their first concert this past weekend also.  Zendaya was playing at our local festival.  They were very excited to see Rocky from "Shake It Up'.  J1 had a great time and danced and played and enjoyed herself.  J2 didn't get a nap and decided to take one there at the concert.  Not exactly sure how tired one has to be to pass out in the middle of a football field at a concert but she sure did.  We had a great time and it was nice family day.

I hope that the weather gets summery soon!!  Here's looking forward to the rest of the summer!!

First Recital!

So J1 and J2 had their first recitals for dance this weekend.  I must say I think I was more nervous than they were.  I never realized how much time it takes to get them "ready" for it.  Putting makeup on J2 was more than an experience.  I think that it might have been easier to find a needle in a haystack.  J1 was great and loved every minute of makeup time.  

Then of course there was the hair.  J1 was fairly easy and I got help.  J2 was definitely more difficult.  Her style was curls.  Well J2's hair is mostly straight.  So I got to relive my childhood while I watched my mom roll her hair in the sponge rollers just like she used to do when we were little girls for special occasions.  

Rehearsal was a little nerve wracking because the girls had different rehearsal times.  J2 had to be there by 8:30!  J1's rehearsal and picture time was 10:10-11:00 and she had an 11:15 baseball game.  We were lucky and we got it all done.  Although it was pretty cute to see her out on the baseball field in full dance recital makeup.  

On recital day it was much more relaxed getting ready since we didn't need to be there until 12:30.  But it literally took over an hour to get their hair and makeup done with mom and I working on them.  It was worth every minute.  They were fantastic.  I must say I did tear up a little to see my little angels on stage and doing so well.  I honestly have to say it's one of my proudest mom moments so far.  Having seen them work on these dances since September and see it all come together was pretty amazing.  I also have to say I thouroughly enjoyed the recital.  Seeing all the girls dance and the costumes, it was a very well put together show.  The timing was perfect it came in at just under 2 hours.  Seeing my little ones come out for the finale was also adorable.  J2 was boogeying on down on stage with all the "big girls" and just having a blast.  

I had toyed with the idea of leaving after their performances.  I was a little concerned because the recital was literally right in the middle of nap time.  I am so glad that we stayed.  The girls had a wonderful time and loved that Daddy and Mommy and GaGa got them flowers.  They were so excited and so happy.  I want to say thank you to their dance teacher Miss Shelley and to everyone at BDA for an amazing afternoon, that I will remember for forever!  

Here are Mom, Dad, and My Little Mermaid and My little Strawberry Shortcake.