Tutus and Twirls

 The girls had their first dance class this past Monday.  I didn't know how Caroline would do, but she loved it after a few minutes of saying she wanted to go home.  Only dancers are allowed in the studio and there is no window for the girls to see out, but you can watch the class on a TV in the waiting area.

 I took these pics in the lobby while we were waiting for class to begin.

 They each take ballet and tap for one hour.  I thought this seemed like a long class, but they loved it.

 Caroline shed a few tears when she entered the studio, so the teacher let Abby accompany her for a few minutes.  Once they started moving around, she was a happy little dancer.  Abby ran right into her class and didn't look back.

 After Class

Over the Hill

My Aunt Mary threw a party for Uncle Bubba's 50th birthday.  She bought all sorts of fun things for Bubba to wear.  He was good spirited and dressed up for some pics with us.

 We enjoyed some Low Country Boil and the pretty neon pool.

 Happy 50th, Bubba! 

Go Kicks!

Well, we have all been excited for Abby's first soccer game, including her, but this is how it started.  Before we left, she was mad about her shirt, which we had tried on several times.  She didn't want  to eat "nuffin" for breakfast and the cleats she practiced in every night this week were "killin" her feet.  You can see from this pic of her running away from the team, she was not a happy camper.

 However, after about 5 minutes of Daddy talking to Coach Michael and going out on the field with her, things quickly changed.

 She had a lot of fun during the 30 minute practice before the game. 

 We are lucky to have a great coach who even got the parents involved in the drills .

 We had quite a crowd come out to cheer for the Kicks.

 Watching from the Sideline-We have 7 kids on the team and 3 play at a time.  Abby liked being able to rest.

 Water Break- She was really excited to take her new princess water bottle.

 Caroline had a lot of fun kicking the ball around on the field during the breaks.

Score!

 Another Water Break

 Time to be a cheerleader!

 I made Caroline a little shirt like Abby's and when she put it on this morning she was very proud and rubbed it all over saying, "This is MY soccer shirt."

 Getting some tips from Coach

 The Huddle

 Action Shots

 Her first injury-very dramatic!

We were proud of her.  After regrouping and taking some pics of her teammates, she went back on the field several times.

 Another Water Break

Caroline ran out of steam toward the end.

Running through the tunnel.  Woohoo! Overall, it was a fun first game.  We had two tired little girls on the way home.

One Last Hurrah!

Our public library had such an awesome summer program.  The girls not only earned circus tickets, they earned museum tickets too.  We squeezed in one more field trip this week before our fall activities start.  Caroline was scared of the crocodile and wouldn't pose for a pic.  Another fear these days is any slide that is a tunnel.

  Must be a hurricane coming.  Abby and Caroline filled their cart to the brim.

 These girls are pros in the pretend store.

 Caroline kept running up with this fish saying "He doesn't go here.  He lives in the ocean."

 Playing Hospital- We talked about Cousin Carter being born.

Cutest Little Paramedics Driving their Babies to the Hospital

 Stop for the Trains

There are lots of things to build with at this museum.

 Microscopes

There wasn't as much room in the dinosaur footprint this time.  They have definitely grown this summer!

 In the light room, they had a good time with the glowing pens, the huge lightbright and making shadows.

 Caroline really thought the shadows were neat.

 Vibration Station

 Making Hats

 Operation

 Going on a Cattle Drive

Our time at the museum ended with the Sesame Street Planetarium Show.  I didn't take pics during it.  I enjoyed sitting back and looking at the stars.  I always get a tear in my eye when Big Bird sings Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.  I feel like summer and an era of our lives officially ended yesterday with our last Emler swim lesson.  The girls will be old enough to both take at the aquatic center next season.  While exciting new changes are ahead, I am a little sad thinking about how old Abby and Caroline seem.  No more Mommy and Me classes.  They are not babies anymore.  We have soccer players, dancers and two girls headed to school next week.  Where did the time go?