The Swing Set That Love Built

Early this summer, I told Mark that we needed to look into getting the girls a swing set. Mark drew up the blueprints, and cut the wood himself. With a little bit of creativity, and a lot of hard work, the girls swing set came to life. It is still a work in progress, but fully operational none the less.


.

The Wonder Twins Start Preschool

Armed with backpacks bigger than they are, Cari and Bell started preschool. I was not sure how they would do, but Carina assured me "no worry mama, I keep my yiyow (little) sissy safe." Both girls did great at drop off, but Ellie started to miss mom about an hour in. Cari on the hand took it all in like I knew she would. At pick up, the teachers advised me that Carina is the leader of class. They were just amazed at how she watched over her little sister in such a loving way. However, I knew she would since she always watches out for Ellie like a little mother hen. They are so close:-)I am so proud of my little girlies. Over all it was a successful day, and we had a H@ppy Me@l afterward.

Back To School, For A Few Days Anyway...

Abbey took on her first day of school like a champ. She was ready to take on First grade with her trusting Unicorn Pillow pet at her side. A jumpy giggly Abbey was more than ready to get on the bus. Day two did not go so well. The stomach flu hit her hard and my poor baby fell like a set of dominoes. Nothing like missing a day of school already.

"Summer" Project

If the stores can put out their Christmas merchandise in July then we can start working on Halloween decorations in August.

A Little Bit Of Night Life

I am not sure where this summer has gone. Abbey just got her welcome packet for the up and coming school year, which means back to homework and going to bed early. We are trying to pack in a lot of fun before then, so I decided on a bit of night life tonight. We all headed to the Botanical Gardens for evening story time. The featured author was Stacy Torino and she read her book Cathy's Animal Garden. It was a great story which talked about all kinds of plants named after animals. We also got a tour around the Botanical gardens, and found the plants that were named in the book. Abbey was more that happy to let the tour guide know that we have Lamb's ear flowers at our house.

Along with story time, and touring the gardens, there were animal cupcakes to munch on, which makes any night special. the girls made masks, and Carina enthusiastically touched a snake while I kept my distance. It was a great Summer evening, but just a few too many mosquitoes.

The Other Side Of Summer

The mosquitoes have been extremely bad this year in Wisconsin, and no amount of bug spray seems to protect my Carina from their attacks. I thought long and hard before I posted these pics, but wanted others with Dear Little Ones' from China to know that this is what mosquitoes can do to our sweethearts.

My pediatrician, who I like very much, said her mosquito bites look much worse than they are and unlike bee stings, the reaction will not get worse over time. No need to carry an epipen, just treat the symptoms.

Carina, who will not let a couple million mosquitoes keep her indoors, gets a Dr. recommended size spoonful of benadryl at night when the mosquitoes attack. During the day, I treat her bites with a good dose of hydrocortisone cream, and the random store brand of Triple antibiotic ointment. Mama's kisses seem to help the "itchies" as well.

The County Fair

I don't like fairs. Who in their right mind would eat fried cookie dough? However, it is not about me, it about three in pink. Their happiness is my happiness, so off we went.



Yum, funnel cake






Daddy, I want a 4 wheeler






Look sissy!






Cari in the mist tent. "Yook mama!" I'm wet!"






Baby Bell smiling. Nothing new:-)





The look on Abbey's face as she got off the swings says it all!






"Hi Doddy, Hi sissy!" The babes waving to daddy n Abbey while they were riding the ferris wheel.






Two peas in a pod riding the train.