Water!

Jake's dental class had a party to celebrate their move to clinical practice. Sariah had a blast going down the slide...she is our little fish...she LOVES water.

Splashing into the pool at the bottom of the slide
Just a little wet
Kenzli was not as sure about the water as Sariah...she was a good sport the first time going down the slide, but cried everytime after that.

Happy to be out of the water and just hanging out

Happy girl!!!

We have been lucky to be part of such a family friendly dental program. It makes for some really fun memories!!!

First Day of Preschool

Sariah has been a little worried about starting preschool which suprised me because she has always been pretty easy going with change. She was worried about not already knowing her numbers and letters. To ease some of her worry, I decided to make it a really fun morning leading up to going to school. When she first woke up, she brought the strawberry shortcake dolls into bed with me and we played. We brushed their hair and just played.

Then, she got to pick what you wanted me to fix her for breakfast. During the week, we pretty much ALWAYS have cereal and we only have hot breakfasts on the weekend. She picked eggs and "toast"...I threw in some blueberries too. She got to color a smiling face and decorate it with stickers.

A new favorite...bagel thins
I made her a calendar so she knows what days she goes to school. I also made a photo/chore chart so she knows what things she needs to do in order to be ready to leave for school. She loves finishing them so she can take the picture off and put in the pocket up top.
We found a special place for her backpack so she can grab it on her way out the door.

We had a hard time finding a backpack "her size" but she was able to find this Dora backpack and she LOVES it. It is just the right size.

She KNOWS that she is cute...can't you tell!!!

At school, they got to decorate cookies to take home to their moms and dads. She was so excited and told me that I don't even have to share with her...so sweet!
She also drew a picture of her family and put her hand print on it to give to us.

She had a great time and is really excited to go back. She did make sure she didn't miss anything fun with us though...one of her first questions to me, "What did you do the whole time?" She is getting so grown up and I love watching her become such a sweet little girl!!! I cannot imagine my life without her in it...she brightens everyday!!!

Dance

Sariah took a Hip Hop/Tap dance class over the summer. She will be starting again soon since she LOVED it. She still asks at least once a week, when she gets to go to dance.

Here she is on her first day

Since it was only 6 weeks long, they invited the parents to the last class to watch their dance moves and a little performance. Here she is showing us her toe tap.
Another move...caught in mid-air
Another move

They had a little snack and got a rose after class.

Sariah and her teacher Ms. Becka

Her dance performance

Overnight Vacation

Before Jake had to go back to school in June, we took a short overnight vacation up north to escape the summer heat. Our first stop was Snowbowl in Flagstaff. During the off-season you can ride the ski lift up to the top. Sariah LOVED it. There was still some snow and it was COLD!!! (well relatively speaking)

Family picture once we got to the top.

Sariah having fun just hanging out
Me and my girls!
I love this picture of Sariah and her Daddy...what a cute moment.

Eatin' some snow

The ride down...it took about 20 minutes each way...with no real straps keeping you in, this ride would not be for wild kids...luckily, Sariah was content to sit still and enjoy the view. For some reason, there were necklaces (and other unmentionables) on some of the branches of the trees so she just kept looking for the necklaces.

After spending the night in Flagstaff, we woke up and drove to the Grand Canyon. There was construction going on so there were no lookout points with barriers. I was so grateful that my kids are chill or I might have had anxiety!!! There was a little path you could walk down but the edge was right there. Sariah was so good to keep close and hold our hands.

Another sweet daddy-daughter moment caught on camera.

Family shot

Kenzli was such a happy camper...I love her smile!!!

Sariah got tired so she kicked Kenzli out so she could have a ride.

It was a such trip but filled with memories that will last a lifetime.