Big Girl Choice

About 2 months ago:

Annabelle: Mom, I want bangs.
Me: Uhhhh...I don't think so....uhhhh...I like your hair without bangs. Why do you want bangs?
Annabelle: I don't know...Because I like them.
Me: Is there someone that has bangs that you want to be like?
Annabelle: Nooooooooo....
Me: Well, let's wait a while. I think your hair might be too hard to do with bangs. (huh?!)

But really? Why do I care? It's just hair, and it's something she thinks she really wants, and she's not asking for a mohawk or purple hair or, or, or....

So yesterday after school I took the kids in for a trim. I wasn't even really thinking about bangs, but when she got in the chair and the lady asked, I asked Annabelle if she still wanted them, and of course she said yes.

I'm not sure I love them, but it's a harmless request, and maybe they'll grow on me.

Last Day of School Carnage

I'm not looking forward to going through all of this. Why? Because I have to choose what to get rid of.

I'm so glad it's summer break. So sad that it means my kids are a school year older. Boo hoo!!! A first grader and a third grader!

Field Day

Only Annabelle can make dressing for Field Day an event! This was day two of dressing practically in all pink. Daphne has learned quickly how fun dressing up can be. This was the second time she spent the morning running around with me in the yellow dress! The funny thing is, she's not so sure she likes all the attention she gets from strangers.

Pinky and her sidekick Sunshine!

Rainy Day

Last Saturday was swim team Time Trials. As it turned out, Wyatt needed to stay home because of an ear infection. Lucky me! No, really. I got to stay home with he and Daphne and another little friend while the others braved time trials in the POURING rain!

I was able to play with Daph and Hannah, Wyatt hung, we went for a rain walk, made home made play dough. It was great! And, Annabelle did great at Time Trials, even though she was wet and cold to the bone by the time she got home!

Finished House Pictures!

Exterior paint, front patio and finishing touches (coffee tables, window treatments, and wall decor) is what's left to do. We're giving ourselves to the end of the year to catch up with that stuff. We are loving every single detail of our new house!

Stairs and storage shelves beneath the stairs

newly stained old slider in this one

cheeky little one

this one is cheeky and toothless! such a cute look on her!

TA DA! A kitchen!

Trying to get the tile detail up and around the windodw

And the tile up and around the hood.

 Close up

Organized pantry

Both sides of the house...this is where the fireplace used to be!

Candle wall at front entrance

and, with the light on...

Great room with french doors (and little one doing somersault over large stuffed trout)

beams, newly stained old slider, etc.

The girls' jill & jill bathroom

Wyatt's new room (yes, it is basically crimson and gray. this used to be Annabelle's room)

Wyatt & guest bathroom

My super duper find at the Alameda antique faire!

Newly painted guest bedroom (ie: grandma & grandpa's room! this was Wyatt's bedroom.)

And a pretty big transformation of the front. 

Gable and beautiful front door!

I can't wait until we can get it painted. It is already beautiful, but paint will really make it pop! I'm going to prime the exposed wood tomorrow and Monday, as it has to be done to pass inspection! I can't believe we did it!

Annabelle's Dance Recital

I didn't take many pictures this year...don't have any good reasons. These are from the backstage area where I left her to wait for her group's turn. Her group was really big this year - about 16 girls - so I was worried that it was too many for any of them to really learn a routine. I was wrong! All of the girls did great, and I was amazed and proud of Annabelle! She was so fun to watch!

 This is only about half her group. We were the early ones this year!

Cousin Jennifer and Opa joined us to watch the show!

We didn't NEED it, but we fell in love...

What is it? A zinc-topped table and an antique school bench. The back of the bench folds over so the kids (yeah, right...) could use it to do their homework on. We found them at the Alameda Antique Fair and just couldn't let them go! The rooster is from the antique fair, too. Our good friend Biga bought it for us as a housewarming present. It's awesome!!!