Jena's first day

Jena started Kindergarten last week. I told her she could have anything she wanted for breakfast. She chose Lucky Charms.

I started measuring the girls when Roger left for deployment. Here is how much they have grown over the summer.

Jena already for the big day! She coordinated her outfit with her backpack.

I tried to get them both in a picture but Lily didn't cooperate.

One more try.

Our very excited Kindergartner!

Saying goodbye to the angel.

At the drop off. One thing I love here is there is no car line in the traditional sense. They have a lane to pull up to the school and a separate area for the Kindergartners. They also having parking in both areas and you can park on the street in the neighborhood. We parked and walked to the school that day. Since then I've been able to park in the kindergarten area or pull up and get her. Only about 5 minutes at most. No 45 minute wait here.

All ready to go in her room. She already knew one girl who lives on the next street over. They have become fast friends. So far it has been good. She has had hot lunch at school and has taken her lunch a few days also. She likes having the option of eating at school. They assign each student a number for their account. Our little overachiever already knows hers, we've been working on it for last few weeks. She told me last night she thought the lunchroom would be more like a restaurant where you pay. I told her you pay by telling them your number like when we pay with a card. She doesn't quite get how that works yet, which means I'm safe for at least a little while when it comes to shopping.

New hair cuts

All the time at the pool this summer took its toll on the girls' hair. Jena asked for a haircut and Lily's was getting pretty long, so I cut their hair for them. Lily did great, didn't even care that all of her hair was gone. She feels like such a big girl now with her shorter hair.

Good Food and Good Friends!

Since we had just moved and it was summer, having a party for Lily was difficult. So we had our good friends the Hokes over. They were at Bragg with us and Jason and Roger shared an office while they were in residency. And Christi and I became good friends during our time there. And the girls of course adore Jay. We were so happy to learn they would be moving here!

We did cupcakes that I allowed them to frost. I had to do candles first because Lily was trying to eat the cake while frosting it.

Jason volunteered to grill the food for us since I am grill challenged. It was so nice having someone else do the cooking.

It was a great party and the girls loved being able to play with their buddy Jay. We are so glad they were able to share the day with us.

And Lily did get a pretty good haul this year!

Swimming lessons

July brought more swimming and swimming lessons for Jena.

She took the lessons at City Pool in the deep pool.

Lily had to sit out this year because she wasn't old enough. She really didn't seem to mind. We would hang out and play in the kiddie pool while Jena had her lesson.

They really love our beach towels.

At the end of the two weeks, Jena was swimming! She did really well, making it to level 4 of 10. Pretty good for someone who didn't want to get in the pool at the beginning of the summer. She can't wait to take them again next year.

Kansas City

In July, the girls and I were able to join my Aunt Sharon, Uncle Jim and Brittney as well as my cousin Georgia, her fiance Meridith and her two kids Meghan and Trevin in Kansas City.

My aunt and uncle had a conference, but the rest of us were able to go to Worlds of Fun!

They recently rebuilt the kids area, now Planet Snoopy. It was awesome!

Trevin and Lily enjoyed these blocks that sounded like bells when you stepped on them.

The rides were great!

Hangin' with Snoopy!

There was a Charlie Brown show.

And a pirate ship.

On Sunday we went to Crown Center for some shopping and lunch. Lily was allowed to pick out one present for her birthday. She picked Hello Kitty.

For lunch we went to Fritz's, a train themed restaurant.

The food is actually delivered by a train!

Lily even got a sundae for her birthday!