~ BEACHES ~

We are lucky enough to leave near some beautiful beaches ~ this past weekend we spent time at two different beaches; the 1st is very close to home and we went right before dinner-time, and the 2nd was a little bit of a ride, but so worth it:

The first beach we took Penny along ~ I'm just here smiling to myself thinking about how much fun it was to watch Penny do the doggie paddle!!

The kids (&Ed) loved this little tide pool and especially the rocks!

We went to the second beach on Sunday with our friends & neighbors ~ this beach was just gorgeous!! The view, the white & soft sand, the waves! It was another gorgeous day out, however, the water was a bit rough since it had stormed the night before ~ Ant just loved the waves!

Mia handeled the sand SO much better this year ~ she actually walked barefoot in it!

Do you remember this picture from last summer??? :

Mia Hope July 2008

~ BATHING BEAUTY ~

Mia loves, loves, loves the pool! It doesn't matter how warm or cold it is ~ she just has so much fun in the pool.

My little mermaid started swim lessons this past week and did very well.

We have not gone to the beach yet and I'm curious how she will do with the sand this year ~ it really threw her off last year!

In these pictures, my bathing beauty really seems to be maturing ~ she is really looking like a little girl and her baby-ness is fading. . .

~ NO "Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" ~

Mia and I were looking at the new American G*rl catalog ~ she loved pointing to all the accessories and asking "wha dat?", so I would tell her what each was and then she got a kick out of seeing the new "Rebecca" doll, because her friend Maddy just showed it to her the other day. So every time she saw "Rebecca", she would get all excited and say "Mat" "Mat" . She pointed to each dolls shoe, saying the color and getting very happy if they were "swippers" (slippers) ~

Not too long ago I would save each American G*rl catalog in Mia's dresser drawer ~ before she came home... I would day dream of looking at the catalog with her and even better: going to the AG Cafe someday!! It is so surreal to be sitting here with my girl, looking thru the catalog ~ I am so blessed!

Enjoy the video: Mia has her own ideas of which doll she wants!! Not what I had envisioned, but is it ever??

~ MIA HOPE'S SECOND FOURTH OF JULY ~

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY !

~ SUMMER HAS (finally) BEGUN ~

The kids are really enjoying the nice, summer weather ~ it's about time! We have had some very wet June ~ Friday night there was an awful thunderstorm with hail! Anyhow, our weekend was glorious; sunny & warm ~ where else would we want to be than in the pool?!

Mia has carried over her love for hoarding into the pool. She uses this crab float to collect all the water toys; she will swim from one spot to another collecting them in her tube. She is just so much fun to watch!!

Our official summer vacation starts today ~ no more school!! We just plan to relax, swim, play and enjoy the lazy days of summer (hopefully with some great weather?!)

Hope you're enjoying your summer !!

~ POTTY TRAINED ~

No more diapers in our house! It took Mia a week or so to adjust to the idea that we have no more diapers (when I announced this to her one day, she actually told me to go buy them! hee, hee!) Anyhow, Mia is a creature of habit - aren't we all - and once she got used to the idea - well, she took on this new adventure with Mia-gusto!

I am SO happy I was able to get this picture of Mia, on our FRONT steps of all places, on her princess potty! She was playing with Eddie, gathering grass and leaves for their "stew", and mommy was getting water for the plants, next thing I know - she's LIKE THIS - for the whole neighborhood to see!! I flew past her, got my camera, and GOT the shot : )

Mia does not like to stop playing if she has to go. . . she will "hop" along on her potty to get to her toys or what ever else she is doing. Why should "life" stop for the potty, just bring it along!!

~ CHAMPIONS ~

Anthony's team won their championship game lastnight!

They played an awesome game ~ they've played an unbelievable season ~

they've all showed amazing teamwork!

CONGRATULATIONS DIAMOND BACKS!!

Congratulations Anthony ~ you are a true team player

I am so very proud of who you are on & off

the baseball field!!