First day of school

Lunches all packed and ready to go!

Meghan is a 4th grader.

Jenna is a 3rd grader.

We didn't plan the butterfly theme for today, but I think it's super cute.

They were both pretty excited this morning.

They asked me to walk them in to the school (and help Jenna carry in her supplies).

We dropped Jenna off first, then Meghan headed down to her class. She didn't say goodbye, so I went into her classroom and she acted like she didn't know me!hahaha    I told her bye and I'll see her this afternoon, I only got a nod!  If only she had said goodbye in the hall.   

Jenna had the same teacher Meghan had for 3rd grade and we are super excited about that.

Meghan has two teachers this year. One will teach language arts and the other will teach Math, Science and Social Studies.

We are looking forward to a great school!

Big girl

I decided I wanted to transition Sarah to a "big girl" bed before school starts. I didn't have a side rail for the bed the first week, so I stacked pillows beside it and she rolled out every single night. One morning I found her curled up between her big teddy and the pillows that were stacked by her bed. I purchased her rail and she has slept so much better. She still won't just go to bed, but we will get there again. She loves being able to climb on and off of her bed. She doesn't roam around and get into anything when she wakes up, she just looks for me.

She is a week shy of 32 months old (aka 2 years 8 months). She is pretty much potty trained. She still wears  training pants most days, but stays dry almost all day. Some days no accidents, other days she might have one or two. Thankfully she is still in the training pants...aka pullups, so no messy messes to clean up.

She wants to only drink out of big girl cups and likes to dress herself....and pick out her own clothes and shoes.

We have been going swimming one or two days a week and she has been working hard on swimming. She wears a swim helper but she sticks her head under, can hold her breath and swims all over the pool!

Baby girl will always be our baby...but she sure isn't a baby anymore.

Carolina Beach

I transferred all my cell phone pictures to my computer today and found all these pictures.

I remember taking them, but forgot to transfer them after our trip to North Carolina.

Carolina blue sky!

We were so happy to see this water stay in our own little beach pond.

There was a red flag warning, so we didn't let the girls play out too far, so this water spot came in handy to entertain them all.

Boonshoft Museum

This is one of our favorite hang outs during summer vacation. We also will go on school breaks other times of the year too.

All three girls have so much fun each and every time we go.

We have an annual membership and it really pays off. 

We use this membership to get in to other places for free or at a discount (if the place is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums). 

From water fun to a small zoo, this place is a big hit!

The courthouse has some new updates and great information on the walls about the judicial system.

Sarah decided to be a witness on the stand.

Jenna the judge.

And Meghan (caught her with her eyes closed)..one very happy prisoner!

My pizza workers.

Meghan cleaned up all the mess made by other kids and her and another little girl took on the rolls of managers and ran a great little pizza place.

We ended our day with one last visit to our Otter friends. 

This little guy would come up to the glass and scratch at it....the girls wanted to take them all home.

Crunch and friend

I was so excited to see this turtle. I read about him in emails sent to me by Boonshoft museum, so I was looking forward to this visit.

When I saw him my excitement ended....I've seen one of these before and some big ones too. Not sure if I've seen one this big, but pretty close...not sure where. I think Crunch needs a tank mate to eat all the algae off his head and back.

I did get him smiling at me!hahaha

Not sure what this little guy's name is.

He didn't look very happy.

I did want to share...just case you have never seen one of these turtles.

Last day in NC

We were only in NC for a week this year and we crammed as much fun in that week as we could.

The girls love playing at Memom and Papa's house. They took rides on the golf cart, ate ice cream, played basketball, played on the swing set...and so much more.

I found a great deal on a Red Rider Trike for Sarah at a second hand shop, so she practiced riding it around.

She asked a few times on the ride home if her bike was in the car!haha  Guess that means she likes it!

My girls and my nieces and nephew are six VERY lucky kiddos. My parents have shown each and every one of them so much love and attention.  We don't see them very much, but when we do it's like we haven't missed a day with them. The girls love them so much and I'm one lucky girl to have them as my parents too.  

We only get back to NC once a year...but thankfully get to see Memom and Papa more. 

It's a long drive to and from, but they do it a few times a year.....to make life long memories with my girls. 

If my girls had their wish...we would all live on the same street!

NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher

We started off our day with breakfast at a place called Kate's.

Great food and we got there before the crowds, so not a lot of waiting for us.

We have been to the aquarium before, but it's always fun to go and see it all again and again.

We (the girls and I) are members at Boonshoft museum in Ohio and with that membership we all got in to the aquarium for free (plus it got Papa in too).

Albino alligator, her name is Luna.  She will always stay in captivity due to being an albino. The other alligators just visit until being released back in the wild.

Happy baby girl!

Three chilled out, happy girls!

A dive demo in the large tank. The big girls stayed to watch it.

Sarah and I went to check out the play area.

Steph and the girls checking out the 80 mph winds in this simulator.  Sarah stayed in both times until winds reached 70 mph..then she wanted out.

Beautiful little pond on the trail.

Sarah on our way out showing the big frog some love.

Another great day out and about.