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All I have is "wow" where has the time gone?

One of my favorite kid quotes is : " The days are long, but the years are short". So very true for me.

8

I can't believe this little girl is eight.

This kid is truly the light of my life most days!

Things about Avery:
She loves to read (currently reading Judy Moody)
She is a good sharer
She is so patient with her little sister
She is kind hearted
She hates to have her hair brushed
She loves listening to Mindy Gledhill and Miranda Crossgrove
She unloads the dishwasher by herself
She got an aquatic frog for her birthday
She can fall asleep at the drop of a hat




In true girl fashion we went to get our toenails done.

They were all loud and excited. Screaming and singing to music on the way there, but as soon as they sat down in the chairs, they acted as if they were in a library....no one talked. They all sat quietly. It was the funniest thing.

We're so lucky to have three of these girls live right across the street from us....and the other two within a mile of us. This has been such a wonderful childhood experience for Avery (and me) to have a "playground" of kids right out our door....and great kids at that!

They each got a design that was totally like their personality!

And topped it off at "Yo Top It".

The Last Day of Summer

To celebrate the last night of summer the kids were invited to a back yard fire, to roast marshmallows, make smores, and a read Harry Potter under the stars.


This was their invitation in the morning:


Before we started reading though, I made them tell me some of their highlights from the summer:




Disneyland (this happened in May before school got out)

Playing at the Beach with Friends

Our friends from Texas coming to visit

Playing outside in our yard with neighborhood friends

Swimming in our friend's pool

Camping (jake's)

The Cousins

Going to the cabin

Going to the fountains


I really did have a fun summer and for the first time am starting to feel like this childhood phase (the phase that has been my life for the last 10 years) of parks and fountains and meeting friends for lunch is almost over.... I caught a glimpse of them getting older, and not wanting to hang out with their mom. I had a twinge of sadness on this night. The night was warm, the stars were out, there was no sand in our smores.... I tried to soak it in.















Grace and her baby Elizabeth.

Photogenic

My sister in law from California came up to visit her sister who had recently moved to the area. We were able to see her for a quick Sunday dinner.

This girl is one of the most photogenic ladies I know. Maybe it's her kindness that shines through....seriously, she is one of the kindest I know too.... Lucky Rug.

I wish I were an Oscar Meyer Weiner

Not everyday you see a hot dog car!

They then got little hot dog whistles from the driver.... whistles really???!?!?! Who ever thought that would be a good idea as a toy for children.

I want a Boat

This was at the end of our night....but it summed up our boat trip on the Willamette nicely.
We went with some friends to downtown Portland and had dinner on the water.

Me flashing gang signs or something?

Yes, we even swam. I think I was the only one who needed a life jacket. :) I'm such a sucky swimmer. And I needed to be pretty agile to look for sharks anyway.

I will talk Brian into getting another boat someday. Mark my words!