Avery's growing too fast

I know I always talk about how fast these kids are growing, but Avery is truly amazing me this summer. She is becoming a confident, smart, funny, and independent little girl:) We took her for her kindergarten screening yesterday, they ask her questions to check her kindergarten readiness. She was super excited about getting a chance to visit her new school. A teacher came out and introduced herself to Neil, Avery, and myself. Then she told Avery to follow her, and Avery did without blinking an eye! Just a couple of months ago I would have at least gotten a concerned look from Avery as she went with this new person. Then Avery and I spent the morning together shopping at second hand and thrift stores. We found some adorable outfits for her babies and even purchased matching outfits for her new girl twin cousins. Then we went to Panda Express for yummy Chinese food. After a nice lunch we went for dentists appointments, for both of us. She was so comfortable in the dentist office, and it was her first trip. She was patient while I had my exam. She was her usual adorable self and had everyone waving and talking to her!!! Her teeth are perfect and beautiful. She had xrays, her teeth cleaned, and a flouride treatment without any fuss. She is an amazing little girl:)

Beach fun

We decided to load the kids up Saturday and head to the beach. Colin has really come to love the water and spends more time there than in the sand. Avery always loves splashing and jumping in the waves. It was a beautiful family day! And we finished it off with milkshakes from our favorite ice cream place "Shakes" on the way home.

Summer fun

We have been enjoying another summer together with lots of family time. The kids and I have been finding all sorts of fun things to do during the week. We are lucky that Neil works four day weeks all summer, which gives us long family weekends together. We have made a trip to the zoo, Pump It Up, the Museum of Science and History, and the beach. We have visited a good friend and spent time floating on the lake with them. And of course there are the weekly trips to the pool, library, and local parks.

The kids are growing (taller) and changing so much this summer. Avery has taken an increased interest in reading this summer. She is doing so well with her reading it amazes me! She can read books like "Go Dog Go" and "Ten Apples Up on Top". And she loves read all sorts of beginning reader books. Last week when we were shopping at Publix she decided to start writing addition problems and solving them on her own. And she is loving the water! She gets better each time we visit the pool. Colin is talking more and more each day. He is a sweet little boy. He tries very hard to share and even be a good friend (cousin). He seems to find dirt where ever we go! He loves construction vehicles and figuring out how they work to complete a project. He is starting to sing his "ABC"s and can identify various shapes and colors. They both just amaze us on a daily basis!

With less than 4 weeks of summer left we have all sorts of fun adventures planned. Stay tuned for more pictures and videos to come.....

The tree is down

Neil went to work Friday afternoon cutting down the tree, and two others, that dropped the branch on my car. He did a great job and worked really hard! Of course he took Sunday to go off shore fishing to recover!

Afternoon thunderstorm damage

So this is the result of a tree limb falling on my car yesterday afternoon during a thunderstorm. I had no idea the tree limb had hit my car until Neil got home from work. He spotted the damage when he was walking up the hill from closing the gate. He walked in the door while I was making dinner and made a comment about the tree limb hitting my car. I walked outside expecting there to be a tree limb sitting in the middle of my car and was relieved it is only minor damage. Now I get to add taking the car for an estimate next week to my to do list!