Here's Why I Haven't Been Blogging....

I just went through the pictures that I've already taken in July and the total is somewhere around 102, 512. That might be a slight exaggeration, but only by a few thousand. I'm so loving summer! Wait, let me clarify. I so love doing what we do in the summer, that I've not taken any time to slow down and sit with my computer. Here's a snap shot of last week's activities. More to come. And by more, I mean get yourself a snack. We're gonna be here a while....

Spacey

My mom called this morning to say that she was watching the space shuttle launch on CNN. We turned it on with only a few minutes to spare and watched history being made. The last space shuttle launch for.....well......who knows. I don't know why the space program, as I've known it in my lifetime, is coming to an end. But, this was a last opportunity, and we took advantage of it. Thanks Mom.

The announcer counted down the launch and as he said "....3....2....1....", Peyton yelled (right on cue) BLAST OFF!

As we watched the shuttle climb skyward, Libby remembered two balloons that she accidentally (devastatingly) let go of in the park on the Fourth of July. She asked, "Mom, Could an astronaut get my balloons?" I liked her thinking, but explained that those balloons likely popped or came back to Earth before ever making it to space. Then, she asked, "What if they had more helium?" Maybe a future scientist...

When I told them they were watching the final launch, Libby replied, "But Jayden launches rockets." True.

When she asked how the shuttle was made, I fumbled through a list of computers, rockets, fuel and fire, she said, "I know you have to put the pointy piece on top." True again.

After the launch was over, the CNN reporters were replaying it and taking input from various experts. Peyton chimed it with, "Mom! That the gil (girl holding a microphone) on Wipe Out!" Well, not exactly, but her references are limited.

Expressive

We're home from a fun 4th of July weekend, and I'll have to narrow down the pictures. I took too many. I went in to check on the girls in their beds tonight, certain that Peytie was still awake, but sure Libby had fallen asleep. I was wrong. Peyton was awake, but as I turned to leave the room, Libby quietly says, "Mom, I don't want to go to college. I just want to stay with you." Ah. Be still my beating heart. I told her she could make those decisions down the road, and that she need not lay awake worrying about that tonight. I also told her some kids go to college and live at home. We'll cross that bridge later.

Peyton isn't yet a child with so many words or worries, but she's not short on ways to express herself. I took these as she woke up at the kitchen counter this morning. Who needs words?

Irresistible, that one.

Track Town

Tonight, we went to....

For Oregon Track Club's first all-comers meet of the season. After all, we live in....

so, we should take advantage, right?

We started with the long jump.

Peyton's turn....

....was more of a run through, than a jump.

Then, the softball throw. Yes, that was two handed. We'll work on that.

We ended with the 60m dash.

Libby's heat. Would you look at my girl get after it!

We had so much fun and the girls loved it! Maybe the best part was that we ran into Libby's classmates, neighbors, friends and even Libby's teacher. This was our first, but it won't be our last!

Swim Lessons, Take Two

A while back I posted about our first attempt at swim lessons here. After that experience, we decided to wait a bit and try it again later. And guess what? Good news! We're doing swim lessons this week and the girls are loving it! It helps to have Elise, who's a great instructor, but this time around my girls are totally buying in. It's so fun to watch them in their lesson....

Ready!

Hearing the rules.

Turtle crawling the wall.

A not-so-relaxed back float.

Giving chase.

Daddy's home!

Day two.

Hi Mom! Hi Dad!

Back float.

I think Peyton was cold today, because she had this look more today than yesterday. It might also be that today they did the back float a lot, and practiced flipping from their belly to their back. Awkward.

Kangaroo hops across the pool.

But she ended with this look. Success!

Let Me Clarify....

Libby: Mom, now that we're home, can we run around naked?

Me: Yes, but please keep your underwear on.

(Peyton runs out of her room with underwear on her head, screaming and laughing hysterically.)

Me: When I said you need to keep your underwear on, I didn't mean wear it on your head.

Peyton: But I not doh-ing to sit down on any-ting.

Wow. Impressed again. She has a solid grasp on the reasoning behind the rule.

Summer!

I know it doesn't officially get her until tomorrow, but I finished my last school obligation today. Summer!