instagram august and current

I am soooo behind and didn't even realize I have pictures on my phone from August I didn't do anything with.  Here's to catching up, big time!

Getting my classroom ready

Taking care of a wart at the doctors

New backpacks

New uniform shirts

Packing up for California

Oh yay baby!

My cousin, the natural new mom

Sweet Emma

It makes instagram twice :)

New toe ring

Emma on my ipad background

Me playing, waiting on chiropractor appointment

First day of school treat :)

T-man getting some attention

#9

Grace's 9th birthday in pictures.

 

Morning little Ms. Sunshine!

Ready for school with her new headband.

Love that she still is my little girl and plays with dolls.

Okay this gift was more for me but it is American Girl :).

Now she and her American Girl doll can play together.

For the ipod touch.

Per her request, no cake but a donut with nine candles.

Getting ready.

Puff and they were out.  9 years seems unreal.

the sleepover

Grace's birthday wish was to have a sleepover.  A total of 6 girls crashed our house and partied it up, 9 year old style. I have to say I enjoyed the whole night, these girls are a group of sweet young ladies that I loved getting to know more.  We did everything on the birthday girls list.

 

Played volleyball (a school favorite)

Decorated aprons

Decorated individual cakes

Hot dog roast

Went swimming (when the water temp was 78, brrr....)

Blew out the candle

Gifts

Played flashlight tag

Texted each other with their ipod touches (wish I had gotten a pic of this, hilarious)

Danced to Toby Mac, Jaime Grace, Bella Thorne and Zendaya

11:00 bedtime

Watched the Lorax

Camped out in the basement floor

Woke up at 6:30

Went for a brisk morning walk to see our neighbor (their music teacher)

Swung on the hammock and tire swing

Rode the big wheel down the hill

Hugged and said our goodbyes

Tears (from Grace) once it was over

 

She loved every minute of it and would not admit part of her tears was due to exhaustion.

 

 

snooze at the zoo

We had the chance to spend the night, sleeping at the zoo with Sarah's Girl Scout troop.  We weren't sure what to expect but were delighted to be a part of it.  We went on three hikes, two that night and one in the morning talking about all the mammals in zoo.  The animals we have a hard time seeing due to heat were out on this cool night and it was neat to see them.  The ones that stand out were the lion cubs, they were very playful with each other and their parents.  The sea lions and seals were up late too and poked their heads out of the water to entertain us.  They liked our flashlights.

 

We got to meet some of the animals we slept by, one being a hedge hog.  He was the most interesting we met in this setting.  He felt prickly but the girls loved getting the chance to touch him. He was cute and was mine and Sarah's sleeping mate.  He's not the best at this, he was up in the night playing :), waking me up.  Sarah slept through it.

A highlight was that one of the mom's of the group made personalized pillow cases to remember the fun time we had here.  Sarah loves the zebra stripes and it was very fitting since we spent some time with the zebras. 

The group.  All sweet girls.  They did really well in night.  Wish I could say the same.  It was not easy sleeping on a concrete floor :).  I still need to go see my chiropractor.  It was all worth it though.