FINALLY~~SCHOOL

I don't think that either girls slept too well. I was shocked out of sleep when my alarm went off...no more sleeping in. We had been getting up at 7 for a week, even this weekend, to help the girls, and I guess me to, to be able to function before the sun.

This year the girls are going to two different school. Ruth-6th grade- is going to a new school that is directly behind Sara's school-7th grade. Ruth's begins at 8:00 still, and Sara's is 8:45. So, Ruth and I got up, got ready and I did the carpool thing...the same girls I was carpooling since K-see the photo from this year vs. 2 years ago...oh my! I did enjoy last year when they rode the bus, though I did miss them a little.

Then it was Sara' s turn. When I returned with the carpool, she was already up, dressed, and had done her hair and had breakfast, and made her lunch....I guess I taught her better than I thought since I did not discuss her morning routine...I am impressed. Her best friend K'Asha met at our house to ride the bike to school and they will meet up with their friend Keanna half way there. I guess I need to get a basket for Sara's bike since she will be carrying so much stuff.

Summer vacation ends

Today it was the trimming of Sara's hair, they both had to have their nails painted, and the checking of the backpacks....again. Don't worry, I got Ruth's hair trimmed last week. I don't dare trim hers because it is so VERY think.

Lunches were discussed, and Jeff took the girls swimming to help wear them out to help them sleep, and they played 4-squares into the evening...also to help them sleep better.

Wardrobes were approved....Sara had to go with her second choice so she would not be sent home for inappropriate length.

The last day of "mom...mom...mom...mom...mom...mom...mom...mom...mom...mom........." and you KNOW what I am talking about!!!!

BUT....also the last day of free hugs and kisses all day long and smiles and wanting to spend time with mom....maybe I will miss them more than I thought :(

New dresses

Today we picked up the dresses that the girls will wear at their cousin's wedding in November. I will need to hem Sara's dress unless I can find some good heels. Ruth~~~I do not think I can really ask her to put on about 10 pounds and get 2 inches shorter. I had to order a larger dress so maybe it would be long enough. We will be looking for some really flat flats and I will take in the dress in the bodice.

VACATION IS OVER

We arrived home yesterday evening after our two day drive home. Colorodo was wonderful as usual, except this is the first time since the 60's when we were doing this that is was COLD and for those silly people, NO! we did not mind the cold after 105+ for so long here at home. We actually slept with the windows open, the fan pulling the cold air in, and many blankets on us....we wanted to feel the chill.

We left Saturday and drove most of the way.

the rest of the week . . .

Well, it will take too long to tell you day by day, so here is the rest of the week.


On Wednesday the girls and 19 of their cousins went white water rafting. It was an all day thing and they came home exhausted yet pleased.



On Thursday, much to the pleasure of the girls, we spent in town shopping. Yes, you will see many bags in their hands, none in mine.....such a mom. After dinner we had a "happy birthday to everyone" which included a cake. Then in the evening we had a very long talent show which even included my dad telling a dumb blonde joke....no offence to all of the blondes in our family.


On Friday the entire extended family got into our cars and drove the long ride to the top of the mountain, had lunch, then returned. The girls were exhausted and fell asleep on each other in the back of the car and being the mother always looking for future blackmail items....aren't they so very cute...I had to take a photo, of course Jeff took the photo since I was doing the downgear shifting dance heading down the mountain.


The afternoon the family went to a presentation on bird banding. They had feeders in the woods and as the birds flew away, they were caught in the pockets of the very fine nets. They were immideately removed. They identified the species, usually a humming bird, measured it, weighed it, then put the band on its leg. Did you know that a bird's leg does not get any larger around after it hatches....thus they will not outgrow the bank and injure themselves. After the humming birds were removed from their restraint, they placed them in a volunteer's hand, and it just layed there he said because the bird did not know that it was free until he gently bumped the hand and the bird flew off.


That evening we had a kickball game-Sara was the "pitcher", followed by volleyball. After dinner was dancing---square, line, chicken dance, what ever.






On Saturday it was laundry, the first to the craft shop, where Ruth finished her dog, Sara made 5 pairs of earrings...for her future pierced ears, and I made a mosaic picture frame for one of our 500 photos that I have taken. In the afternoon the girls did archery again. In the evening the extended family gathered in the cabin in front of the fireplace and told what we made, bought, or what was our favorite thing that week.