Aquatic Center

Our county has a lot of aquatic centers.  We usually go once in the winter to one of the indoor centers, but we decided to check out a different one while it was still warm.




Our main motivation in going was that Chess wanted to jump off a real diving board.  This place had a good, springy one and Chess loved it!  She was so brave.  She just walked up to the end and took the plunge!


She has really improved in her swimming this summer, and you have to be able to swim to jump off the diving board.  I was so proud watching her pop up and swim to the ladder, and with a smile on her face, too!




Daddy and Momma had a fun time jumping off the diving board, as well.  I couldn't get any good action shots with my cell phone camera.


The outdoor play structures were really fun, and the girls had a blast.  You can see some water slides in the background.  Lera has been JUST under 42 inches all summer.  She has missed out on a few fun things, such as these water slides because of it.  I mean, her head ALMOST scraps the post, but everyone has been a stickler on height, so she had to go down the stairs instead of the slide (this also happened at Lanier World water park and the aquarium's play area).  Next summer, Lera!

Goats on the Roof and Black Rock Mountain State Park

We had a little family day trip.  First stop, Goats on the Roof:















Next stop, Black Rock Mountain State Park:


It is the highest state park in Georgia.
















This little girl kept picking me beautiful flowers.

Wordless Wednesday

Kindergarten for Chess

It has begun.  We have a kindergartener.  Chess absolutely loves school.  She was counting down about 10 days before school started.  I miss my big girl so much, but she has a wonderful teacher and just loves every minute she's there.


This is after going to open house.  Chess was nervous and a little scared when meeting her teacher.  But she quickly felt better once she started talking to her.


I made Chess's first day shirt.  I chopped off the leggings and used the material to make a bow for the shirt and hair ties to match.


Lera and I walked Chess in on the first morning.  She had a nervous smile on her face, but I gave her a hug and kiss and quickly left before I started crying.  I cried once we got home.  It was a lousy day for me, but...


She came out smiling!  I wish this picture wasn't blurry.  I hugged my girl so tight.  I started crying again on the way home, so relieved she was back with me and that she had a good day.


Second day


Yep, Lera's still in a nightgown!  We only lasted one day of getting everyone dressed and ready that early.


Third day


Fourth day


Fifth day


When she came home on this day, I noticed she has a loose tooth!  There is a new tooth coming in behind it, so that's how I saw it.  It's still loose, but I'll let you know when the tooth fairy comes!


Sixth day - Not wanting to be photographed this day, and Lera dressed herself.


Seventh day


Eighth day

And that's all, folks.  The other day Chess asked me why I wasn't taking pictures of her anymore.  I said the first week and a half seemed like good documentation of the beginning of the school year to me.

Lera and I have been keeping busy and enjoying the end of summer together.  She is a good helper and plays really well by herself, too.  I'm so thankful I have her for two years before she starts kindergarten herself.  We have been working on letters, coloring and writing, playing, walking, shopping, and all kinds of things.  We are all adjusting well to this new schedule.  I love my sweet family.

The 4th of July, I mean 3rd of August?

Our 4th of July fireworks got rained out!  Last year they really got rained out, but this year they got canceled early and rescheduled for August 3rd.  So, Happy Birthday America (one month late)!


Walking to the park.  Lera pulled that wagon for about one minute, then Jared pulled it and Lera hopped on for a ride the rest of the way!


Berry fingers!









So, the fireworks had been going for about 5 minutes, and I look over and see this:


Lera is sound asleep!  Those fireworks were loud, too.  She didn't even flinch.  Not even on the walk home while my cousin, Zach, and I carried her home, switching back and forth so our arms didn't fall off.


Cute Chess enjoyed the whole show and rode home in the wagon.

We're glad we got to see some fireworks this year, even if they were a month late.  It was a great show.

Handmade Baby Gifts

I haven't shared much that I have sewn on this blog in a long time.  I was sharing all of it on the Craftalicious blog, but it has fizzled out.  So, I will go back to sharing here again!  I made my good friend some homemade gifts for her first baby, a little boy.






This is my favorite applique I made.


All the goods together.

I hope my friend and her baby enjoy them!

Family Bubble Night