So, I had no idea that when I began this, only 5 short posts ago, that the summer would be unbelievably busy and that blogging would take a time out. I'm kind of sad about this because the summer was not documented properly. I'd like to think that all my pictures will be in a scrapbook in the near future, but I do know the reality of life with small children. Guess I'll have to settle for my Facebook photo album for the time being. So the Reader's Digest Condensed Version of the summer goes something like this....
We began the summer traveling to Fort Dix, NJ and then down to Ft. Belvoir, VA, thanks to the Army Reserve. I had some FRG training at Ft. Dix and Mark had to fulfill his duties as the commander and head to Ft. Belvoir for some briefings. We decided to make this into a vacation of sorts too stopping in DC, which was beyond fun for the girlies to see the sight from Night at the Museum, Battle of the Smithsonian, and then heading to Lancaster Co, PA, and Gettysburg before heading home. We went to my parents' house with our Jr. High teens for a reward for their accomplishments for a few days. The summer had been pretty rainy, but we did have some nice weather to go see a few sights. The girls and I went to a military kids' camp and had so much fun doing things like archery, rappelling, hiking and other outdoor activities with other kids who parents are in the military. It was good to meet others in the same boat we are. We had a week of camping with my parents at this cute campground with a great pool and nice paths for the kids to ride bikes. Ariel gained much confidence in the water and swims very well now with out her life jacket. She jumps into the deep end, unaffected by the water in her eyes and nose...accomplishment!! Belle is very brave and always wants to keep up with big sister and was doing very well with our her life jacket also. She scares me to a point because she has no fear. Amazing. We finished out our summer by heading to a local water/amusement park and hitting the beach the next day.
School started way too early, in my opinion! I was not ready for summer to be over. My tan was the best ever, due to the fact that one day sitting by the pool I failed to use common sense and got a bad sunburn. It quickly faded to a nice shade of brown, but now it's just plain fading. Ariel is in 2nd grade this year, loves her teacher, her classroom and her classmates and is doing very well. There were not enough students for Belle to attend K-4 at the school, so I am making an attempt to home school this year. I'm in love with it and she seems to be tolerating me well. Today we worked in the letter F and the number 7. She says her favorite part of her day is coloring. I am enjoying seeing her learn and seeing the light bulb go on. It never ceases to amaze me how God created brains and how they work and how they can take information in and process. I am so thankful for healthy, smart kiddos.
Hubby is coaching 1st and 2nd grade soccer again this year. Belle was allowed to join the team so all of them can be on the same team. I was worried about her, and her small stature, being on a team with the big kiddos. Then the second practice came and she went up against the big kid on the team and he ended up on the ground and she scored a goal. Worry is gone. Neither one of them are shy of the ball and both seem to be pretty aggressive. Ariel was playing half back and nothing went past her. Belle handles the ball better that a lot of the bigger girls on the team and does great on the front line. They both amaze me. Their athletic ability is not from this lady...that would be all from their father.
Belle is done her coloring and we are back at it again. Guess it's almost time to wrap up the day.
