Summer Fun - July Edition

In my quest for a fun filled summer for the girls, here are our highlights of July.

We started the month off by hosting the girls' cousins for a few days of nonstop fun. We went to the beach, aquatic center, and aquarium. They played on the waterslide. And the girls barely stopped smiling the entire time.







Next stop, Dallas, where we were spoiled by Nana and Granddad. This was our first experience with Grace crying and not wanting to leave to come home. Our adventures included lunch and shopping at the American Girl store. We went to the splash park and to the pool countless times. We rode the carousel at the mall. And had fun with more cousins. On a sad note, we visited my grandfather who has been seriously ill the past few months.








This past weekend, Steve's friend from high school and his daughter came down for a visit. The daughter is 6 weeks younger than Grace and the girls were 2 peas in a pod. We spent the weekend going to the beach several times, playing dress up, grilling out, and playing on the water slide. I'm hoping these girls will get to see each other more often since they had so much fun together.



Then the last two weeks of the month, this little one has been active with school. She has done really well. Much better than expected. And I think I have handled it better than I did with Grace. The girls have the first 2 weeks of August off before they start school on the 15th. We plan on doing more pool time and beach time with another vacation planned at JW Marriott.

Claire's 1st Day at Mi Casita

Claire officially started Mi Casita this week. We thought it would be a good time to begin the transition since there are just 2 weeks left of the summer camp then she will have 2 weeks off. Plenty of tears, of course!

What is NOT supposed to happen

Summer Fun - June Edition

We have been having a great summer so far. Grace went to music camp at her school the week before Father's Day. We had a great trip planned to Hyatt Lost Pines that weekend with another family. Before leaving, Grace got a cold that immediately got worse. We went to the doctor and we are now owners of our own nebulizer.

Thankfully, she got better quickly and never skipped a beat. We spent HOURS in the pool at Lost Pines and loved every minute of it.



This past weekend, our friends held another spectacular party for their daughter's 3rd birthday. Face painting, water slide, pinata, great food and fun filled our evening.



The dad is a farmer and was happy to give rides in the tractor.

The clown painted faces and did balloon animals. Grace became a deranged cat especially after all the candy. But Claire wanted absolutely no part of this clown. If you were within eyesight of her, she completely freaked out.

VBS and the Social Butterfly

The girls and I had a great week doing Vacation Bible School at church last week. I was in charge of the 3 year olds - helping them separate from their mommys primarily. I chose this role because I wasn't sure how Grace was going to do and I wanted it to be a fun week for her.



Then this week, the 3 of us started Mommy and Me ballet. Grace surprised me by dancing to all the songs.



Claire, on the other hand, decided this was social hour. Every time I turned around, she had grabbed some little girl's hand.



When we got home, Claire enhanced her leotard figure with a ginormous lollipop.

Welcome Summer 2011!

Grace's last day of school was this past Friday. I am so proud of her - she has now completed 2 years of Montessori school fully immersed in Spanish.

First day of school

Last day of school

With Xochitl (the fabulous teacher assistant who greets us every morning)

With Sra Mayra (her teacher)


We rewarded Grace for a great school year with a inflatable water park. Both girls LOVE it and will be wonderful to have when it is so hot this summer.



We've also spent our weekend at the beach where we encountered jelly fish and a hermit crab. Needless to say, Grace spent her time building sand castles instead of being in the water.

We've also grilled a ton. Steve has become the best grilled pizza chef in South Texas. We also made homemade ice cream - yummy salted caramel!


Our plans for summer include Vacation Bible School at church, camps at Grace's school, trips to Hyatt Lost Pines and JW Marriott, swim lessons, and of course I want to expose the girls to city life so we'll be in Dallas for a few weeks too!

Happy Memorial Day!!