These Small Moments

We are having the best summer! Our days are relaxed and for the first time Supermom isn't working during the day (very much) - which means no nanny - just mom and the girls all day, so there's lots of time to enjoy all the little things . . . Jeff has been teaching the girls to play guitar. Sarah is really doing well! Today they brought their guitars up from the basement. It was like MTV Unplugged. They both have the wild rock star hair too boot.

Happy Birthday USA

This is one birthday you won’t find presents all over my leaning shelves!

What a day we had! You know how 4th of July celebrations are always depicted in movies: barefoot kids, blowing bubbles, eating ice cream that never drips on their pristine outfits, running past in slow motion giggling . . . parents mingling nearby, having cocktails, unconcerned with the well being of the children because they live in fantasy land and nothing bad happens there . . . .? Well, put on your moccasins and take a trip with me to the land of Far, Far Away.

Our very sweet neighbor Andrea invited us to spend the 4th of July with her family at her sister’s farm. For the past few years Andrea's sister and her husband have hosted their town's 4th of July celebration. This year it was a potluck. I made Jeff’s favorite pasta salad and melon ball fruit salad using the hollowed out watermelon as a bowl. (Don’t be so surprised – I didn’t give myself the title of Supermom for nothing.)

When we arrived at the farm the girls found the other kids right away and ran off to play. Andrea’s family was gathered under a stately maple tree chatting and welcomed us graciously. We spent the afternoon visiting and sipping strawberry mojitos. Later Jeff joined in a game of volleyball and, having brought my face painting gear, I decorated all the children – some more than once. Before long it was time for dinner. Apparently everyone in this little town has been trained by Gordon Ramsey – or maybe I had one too many mojitos - but everything was terrific!
As dusk approached Andrea pulled out a huge bag of light up bracelets and necklaces. All the kids were glowing as we prepared to watch the fireworks, then they lit up some sparklers. It was a cool evening so we snuggled up with a blanket to watch the show. The fireworks display was fantastic; made even better because we were so close.

At the end of the night we threw all our gear in the Sequoia and ventured home – it took ten minutes. There was no traffic, no policemen, no cones or barricades. Just open cornfields. I’d like to post some photos of the day to show you, but that’s the only problem with visiting a fairy tale- the pictures never come out. Okay actually we were just having so much fun taking pictures just didn’t seem important. I did manage to snap these two early in the day:

Here is Kate with her Firecracker hairstyle.

And here is Kate on the tire swing

made to look like a horse.

I know . . . it really was a fairy tale day.

The End

Time to leave Far, Far Away and get back to work!

No Fences

The first few months we were here in Illinois Laurel perched herself in our big bedroom window for much of the day. She had noticed the handsome Golden Retriever (Jack) who lives behind us. Eventually we met our neighbors, but having no fence in the backyard the closest Laurel ever got to Jack was from her line on the deck. In late June we had an Invisible Fence installed for little Lola. Once her training was complete she was free to roam the yard and get a better look out the handsome boy next door.

Hey Jack, can you come over and play?

I can't leave my yard!

Ask your mom to let you off that line!!

I've waited four months to meet you!

Lucky Lola's world is much bigger here in Illinois. She gets to play with Jack almost every day (when his parents are home and let him off his line.) With the Invisible Fence she's free to go outside in the front and back. She helps her dad with yard work, she plays with the girls and best of all she has a great friend!!

Cincinnati

Since we've moved to Illinois we've been excited to live close to my sister, a.k.a: Aunt Tiff. Over the past few months we've wanted to take a trip to see her family in Cincinnati but it's been pretty busy. Tiffony had a birthday this week so when she asked us to come for a visit we decided to go for it. Daddy Jeff had a busy week at work, so all the Schultz girls jumped in the car and headed off to Cincinnati.

The girls had fun bonding with their cousins.

Jake is telling the girls a bed time story.

While we were there, cousin Jake got his braces off.

Check out the before and after shots.

Sarah and Joe had a camp out in the family room.

Joe helped Sarah conquer her 12 Dancing Princesses

GameBoy game.

We went to lots of baseball games.

At this game Sarah found a worm to play with.

And she shared it with little sister.

At the same game Cousin Jake pitched.

The next day we took a trip to Starbucks.

Baby Kat fell in love with her Aunt T

Then we went swimming

Check out little K in her water wings

Here's big sister, hamming it up for the camera.

Both girls loved getting spoiled

by all their "big-boy" cousins.

Cousin Mike gave Kate a really cool squishy dragon

who Kate named "Dragon Has A Wagon"

Sarah fell in love with Aunt T too.

Kate didn't want to go home!!

We finally convinced her to say goodbye and come home.

What a fun time we had.

We can't wait for another trip to Cincinnati.

The Package From Miss Yeagley

I won't go on and on and on about how much we all love Miss Yeagley - sufficed to say she is very special to us. Since Sarah missed the end of the year in Miss Yeagley's kindergarten class Miss Y graciously sent Sarah a very special package.

Sarah was so excited!!

Oh Cool!! A T-Shirt signed by the whole class.

And a graduation medal

The package also contained a video yearbook and very nice letter from Miss Yeagley. Sarah watched the video over and over. It was fun to see all her Arizona friends.

Thank you Miss Yeagley!!!

Someone's Lost a Second Tooth!!

Sarah's second tooth came out this morning.

This leaves a few slightly loose teeth on top.

The Cherry Festival

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THE WASHINGTON CHERRY FESTIVAL

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One of the reasons we were excited about moving to a smaller town is to enjoy events like these. It was a perfect day: temperature in the 70's, a slight breeze (which is good, because it's extraordinarily windy in Illinois.) We started our adventure at home finding the perfect costumes for Sarah and Kate to wear to the costume contest. Then we headed off to the fairgrounds.

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First we hammed it up for the camera.

Then we visited the petting zoo. These goats were

so friendly they reminded us of Laurel.

They'd even jump up on you . . .

Here are the girls in their costumes.

Sarah was a mermaid

(Granie, this costume is getting too small -

and she insisted on wearing it.)

Kate was Dahlia a fairy.

They both won awards for their costumes.

Here are the little diva's

waiting patiently for the balloon man.

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THE DRAGON COASTER (Part 1)

Our little 'Wild Child' aptly named by her granie,

loves roller coasters. The Dragon Coaster is a kiddie

coaster and little Kate couldn't wait to ride it.

Big sister however, wanted nothing

to do with the Dragon Coaster.

She even broke out into tears

at the thought of Kate riding it.

There's no stopping little Kat. She loved it!!

That was so much fun!!

Can I do it again??

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MORE RIDES

We've known for a while that Sarah is not a fan of amusement park rides. We found out when her class took a trip to Schnepff Farms in AZ and EVERYONE rode the swings. Poor little thing, she was traumatized - and I, supermom, can sympathize. You see, when I was a bit younger than Sarah my daredevil parents MADE me go on The Florida Hurricane - a really, really scary coaster. So, understanding the fear, I encourage Sarah to enjoy the more tame attractions.

Like the cars.

C'mon Kate come sit by me in case I get scared.

Hey, this is fun!

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And then there's the Jet Skis . . .

Sarah: Mom . . . I'm gonna be sick!

Kate: Woo Hoo!!!

Get me off this thing!!!

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After these rides we took a break for some hot dogs, lemonade and funnel cakes. Yum!! Afterwards, Miss Sarah was feeling adventurous and told Kate she would ride the dragon coaster.

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THE DRAGON COASTER (Part 2)

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Don't worry big sister. I'll look out for you!

I'm ready. I can do it!

Here we go!!

Sarah: Get me off this thing!!

Kate: I'll hold your hand.

Mommy!!!!

How could you let me ride this

awful, horrible roller coaster?

Let's go again!!!

THE END OF THE DAY

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After the second trip to the Dragon Coaster we all rode the big Ferris Wheel. The whole family loved it. We had a great view of our neighborhood and the town.

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At the end of the day the girls

wanted to do one more ride.

They chose the big slide.

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There they are running up the stairs.

Kate went first. Cheering the whole way.

Poor Sarah, didn't appear to be having fun.

But when she landed she was pumped to go again!!

What a great day we had.

Daddy will you carry me to the car?