SUMMERTIME,SUMMERTIME

The summer has been great. The girls had swimming lessons at the YMCA. The first lesson was brutal. Faith pretty much told the instructor what she was and was not going to do! I was slightly mortified. However, after some redirection (and threatening) she obeyed and lessons went much smoother:) By the end, the girls would actually jump into the water from the ledge.

The record summer heat here meant lots of ice cream! Kelley's proved to be the best place to go-lots of choices and just awesome ice cream:)

There were several fairs that we also enjoyed. The Taste of Tacoma was fun:) We enjoyed tastes from all over the city, some rides, and music!

Kabobs! Dalaina loved 'em:)

I sat the spinning rides out, but the girls loved it!

Gig Harbor hosts a Chalk the Walk day-what fun. Anyone can come downtown and use their chalk and just go wild on the walkways of town!!! The girls loved it:)

We also took several trips to the trail for the girls to ride their new bikes! They are such big girls at 3 and 5. Riding bikes with training wheels-Dalaina skipped the tricycle phase!

She did so well and just loves her bike! What's not to love-it's pink with fringe!!!

We also went to the 25th annual Gig Harbor Art festival. They made beaded necklaces, had their faces painted, had lemonade, danced to the music and just had fun!

That was the stillest and quietest Faith had ever been--(except for when she sleeps, but even then she talks in her sleep)

The ladies did excellent work!!

My girls wanted to sleep with their faces painted ! Can you imagine if I said yes to all of their requests?!

We attended The Gig in the Harbor too. Music, games, food, and fun!

The favorite was the bouncing/jumping house-of course!!

The girls also took tumbling lessons at the YMCA. They learned the crab walk, snake crawl, rabbit and frog hops, scissor jumps, flips, rolls, the balance beam, etc... They really enjoyed that!

The backwards on the beam was a challenge for both of them:)

They also took ballet lessons. They learned first, second and third position. Ballet kicks and jumps and some stretching. It was great to watch the little ballerinas- to- be!

We have enjoyed our summertime here in Washington:)

Where a kid can be a kid!

Faith has been asking to go to Chuck E Cheese for about a year now---not that she even knows what it is! So, we decided this was the year to do it! Her uncles and cousins came in from PA for a visit. We went on Sunday to Chuck E Cheese to celebrate her birthday.... Now, it is nothing like it used to be--there are no balls to jump into!!!! However, the kids still had fun (and the grown men)

Even with that mouth full of air-she missed the candle the first time around:)

We demolished that castle in a matter of seconds!!!...all my hard work-destroyed:(

Good to the last crumb!

GAMES, GAMES, GAMES...tickets, tickets,tickets

Takin Chuck for a spin...

Now that just looked fun!--a huge rocking horse:)

...center stage!

Future film maker/movie star:)

With all 177 tickets, she traded and chose a candy necklace, a tiny rubber frog, some taffy, and a plastic ring!

(it just isn't the same)

Overall, I think she had a great birthday!!!!!!! what's next?

She's 5!!!!!!

Our day started with a knock on the door..."good morning, today is my birthday and I,m 5!" That was 7am:)

So, I got up and Faith & I made pancakes for everyone to eat:) After that, it was on to the tradition of making the cake! This year, Faith wanted a princess castle. Albertson's sells an awesome one, however, it was small and $40!!!!!!!!! So, I took on the challenge in effort to save money and have more to eat!!

A lot of baking and stacking and toothpicks!

It was a lot of labor I must say!! The cake was Funfetti with lemon filling and buttercream icing!

It turned out ok-it tasted great-and Faith loved it!

We had promised Faith a Build a Bear experience and today was the day:) So, off to the mall we went--to the Build A Bear Shop! Both girls got to choose what they wanted to build:)

After they selected the animal, they chose the sound piece for inside it. Then came the stuffing! They stuffed it to thier liking:)

Then, they pick the heart and rub it around and put it inside the animal. Finally, the lady sewed the animals closed:)

Then, they gave them a bath (pretend of course)

After they were made, we registered them and created the birth certificates! Faith created a brown rabbit-girl-named Sugar. Dalaina created a white bear-girl-covered with rainbows. And named her Rainbow (very original)

And of course they bought some clothes for them!!

They were very happy with their new stuffed animals :)

After the bear shop, we headed for a free balloon and then some cinnabon for lunch!!

And, that was how we spent July 3rd-Faith's 5th birthday!