One step closer to school!

I can officially say, that besides the unexpected things, ALL school supplies have been bought, organized and are ready to go to their new homes!

Last Friday, I took Beth to go school supply shopping, hoping it would help her feel better about her new school. It KINDA worked. We made a stop at Toys-R-Us because I had a $10 off $50 coupon...but it was a complete bust, EXCEPT for Beth finding her "dream backpack." I had talked about avoiding characters, but this backpack literally made her stop in her tracks. Its our beloved Fancy Nancy. It was unavoidable and HAD to be bought. Luckily the lunchbox was free. However, the lunchbox is too small and doesn't have the features I wanted, so I bought a different lunchbox to use, as well.

And note to moms - don't go school supply shopping at Toys-R-Us. HORRIBLE selection and high prices.

We then went to Target where she picked out folders, crayons, pencils, glue, etc..... Target or Walmart would be my suggestions...HUGE selection - low prices!

Sarah Katherine picked out this backpack for her first year in Nursery School. I'm going to have her full name monogrammed on it. (and I got the matching lunchbox for Beth!)

So, I'm done! 1st grade and 3-year-old Nursery school, here we come!

Nothing of interest

Nothing much to report. Bob is in North Carolina for his business trip to Cherry Pointe Marine Base. We have no idea when he'll be home - 4 days or 14. Its a "wait and see" project!

The girls are being good. So far. But, then again, I've kept them busy! The weather has been BEAUTIFUL, so I've had them outside a lot. We also went to see the new Ice Age movie- cute - just like the last two.

Beth is off to a birthday party all day and will be back around 8-8:30. Sarah is spending the night with my parents, so I'll get a LITTLE bit of quiet time this evening...except I'll be dealing with carpet cleaners at the house between 4-6p. Ugh. Bailey (the dog) is on a medication that is messing with her tummy....and that mess ended up on my living room floor last night. So, after surveying the damage and realizing it was one mess too many for me to clean, I just called Stanley Steamer. Bailey will be sleeping outside tonight..and tomorrow night....and maybe longer. It was gross, that is all I'll say. Yeah- I know -TMI.

Beth starts 1st grade in THREE weeks. Where did the summer go??? She is a little scared and nervous. New school...new friends....new teacher. I think she'll have a great year, though. She perked up a little after our school supply shopping trip when she picked out a Fancy Nancy backpack. I was SOO hoping we could bypass all character stuff this year, and with the exception of the backpack, we did! And she couldn't have been more thrilled then when she found the dolphin spiral notebook! She is pretty excited about that notebook!!

Sarah starts 3-year old Nursery School September 2. She also moves "upstairs" at daycare to the big kid room, which is ages 3-6 all in one room. I've never been thrilled with that situation, but Beth seemed to do okay. I have no way to anticipate how I think Sarah will do up there. I'll have to wait and see. I'm a tad nervous about it. I just haven't been impressed with our daycare lately, which is a big reason why the girls are at home this summer, except for 2 mornings a week. I guess I'm jumping to conclusions and I just need to wait and see how Sarah does in the big kid class..... I liked it better when she was in the baby nursery!

So, we're just here...hanging out...doing nothing! :-)

Crammin' it all in....

The last day of vacation is typically the day we realize what we HAVEN'T done what we wanted to do while we were there. Its the last day to run to the outlet mall, the last day to go the restaurant we want to go to...etc.....

So, we started with a beach morning and Beth got BRAVE and agreed to go "far out" with my dad. Its by far the furthest away from the beach (in the water) she has ever been. All my pictures were pretty fuzzy...this is the best I got. Sarah was content just making sandcastles!

That afternoon, the girls wanted to go to the Leaping Fountains at Destin Commons. Beth had a blast...Sarah wasn't so sure. She was so pleased with herself anytime she set foot near the fountains though...

It was off to Sandestin's Baytowne Village for dinner at the New Orleans Creole Cooker (YUM!), then some playtime, icecream, dancing...and home by 9:30! I had some pretty wiped out little girls!! I love Baytowne Village - we ALWAYS have fun there!

We left Saturday morning and ended up making an unplanned stop for the night in Birmingham. Its nice to have family at the 1/2 way point! Thanks Bryan & Erin (and Roxy, too!). Its nice to be home, though....

a few more Florida pics...

Sarah on Sunday night...

Drawing Happy Faces in the sand...

At Dewey Destins for dinner on Monday night...

Destin - July 08

We've been in Destin since Saturday and until today- beautiful (hot) weather! So, while it rains, I'll post a few pictures from the last few days.

At our favorite stopping spot on the trip down - Peach Park in Clanton, AL.

Annual 4th of July Party at Costa Del Sol in Destin!

At the beach on Sunday: