Cantering Pro!

Lorelai's love of horses has really taken off and she is now cantering like a pro!!  This isn't the best video but you can clearly see how well in control of the horse she is.  And pay no attention to the instructor practically falling off her horse at the end of the video.  She was working on a new horse who was having a medical issue they were working out.

white boys CAN jump!

I was going for a run on the treadmill while the kids played in the basement.  While we were down there, Joseph discovered the trampoline and LOVES it!  I had to bring it upstairs so he could play on it more.  He jumps all day!

Little Mama...

Scarlet is a little Mini-Me.  She loves everything babies and will make a great Mama someday...

Carrying around her baby doll in Mommy's carrier

Can't keep up...

I just can't keep up with him.  Trouble...trouble...trouble!!!!

yup...he can climb ladders now.  Yippee!

Caught him raiding the pantry

What did Joseph steal from the pantry?

A little hike...

We're trying to get a little more into hiking.  It's something we all enjoy.  Lorelai said, "I love being in nature.  It's my world!"  Scarlet, the little diva, was given the option of "do you want to ride in the backpack or walk?"  She's smarter than all of us.  Of course she didn't want to run around in the heat.  She sat in the backpack and repeatedly asked to be fed snacks!

First day of school pictures...

It's the most wonderful time of the year...  No, I'm not talking about Christmas.  I'm talking about Back To School!

School starts early here in Kentucky.... (thank GOD).  This Momma is exhausted from the busy summer.  I enjoy the day to day schedule that comes during the school year.  The girls love school as well so it's nice to see these happy faces on their way to learn and grow!  Lorelai is entering first grade this year.  Evelyn barely makes the cut off for kindergarten so I decided to give her another year in pre-kindergarten.  I didn't like the idea of her being the youngest kiddo in class and graduating high school at the age of 17.  The school she's been attending the last two years has a great half day pre-k program.  I think it'll really set her up for success and after a couple of days I know we've made the right decision.  She still comes home from her half day of school exhausted and in need of a nap.  Her body isn't ready for full day school yet.
Little Scarlet is also doing a school program this year.  She is enrolled in the 2 year old preschool program.  It's two half days a week and I think it'll really help her shyness.  She is beyond excited.  Lorelai and Evelyn started school on Thursday, August 9th.  Scarlet didn't start school until Monday, August 13th because she only attends Mondays and Tuesdays.
Joseph wins out because he gets a little one-on-one Mommy and me time while the girls are in school too!!

Lorelai's answer to "what do you want to be when you grow up?" seems to change every few months.  She wants to do it all!  Lately, she's been commenting on being an artist, specifically a sculptor

Scarlet has been saying that she wants to be "the Boss" and she really does enjoy anything that she feels makes her pretty.  Her new earrings, make up, purses, jewelry, dresses, etc...

A little bling!

Lorelai got her ears pierced last year, right before she turned six years old.  My rule with pierced ears is that the girls can have them whenever they want.  They just have to ask.  Lorelai was too scared until she saw all her friends with them and she wanted them too.  Evelyn has had no interest at all in earrings.  Scarlet, on the other hand, is our token girly-girl.  She saw me wearing earrings the other day (which I don't do a lot because Joseph likes to pull at them), and she got it fixed into her head that she wanted her ears pierced and she wanted them NOW!  She asked me over and over.  Ok, made the appointment.  And just to be sure, I mentioned it to Evelyn.  "Hey Evelyn... Scarlet's getting her ears pierced.  Do you want yours done?"  Evelyn says, "No!  It's too scary."  So ok... off we went to the salon.

Scarlet was nervous.  When she gets nervous she doesn't like to talk or make eye contact (even to me).  But she never wavered.  Just looked at the board of earrings out of the corner of her eye and pointed to the ones she wanted.  The two ladies pierced her ears at the same time and she cried for about 30 seconds.  As she's crying, Evelyn stands up, raises her hand high and yells "MY TURN!"  I couldn't believe it.  Before I knew it, Evelyn was sitting proudly in the chair while Scarlet admired her new jewels in a mirror.  What a day!

She's so proud!

This face says, "I immediately regret my decision!"  She didn't enjoy it but she's happy with them now

She's so happy with them and shows them off to every one!!!

All day long...

All mobile babies get into stuff.  But Joseph is just on another level!  I chase after him all day long.  There's only so much baby proofing I can do.  Here's just a few pictures of his mischievousness.  Most times I can't take a picture because I'm too busy trying to save him from harm.  He gets into everything!  LOVES to climb!  The higher the better!  Once he climbed out of the highchair and I caught him braced against the wall like Spider Man.  He climbs the outside of the staircase, the bookshelves, Daddy's desk, etc.  When he hears the child gate he stops what he's doing to look to make sure you lock it behind you, because if you don't he will bee line it to the stairs to climb.  If the bathroom door is open, he loves to splash in the toilet.  I'm waiting for him to figure out how to climb out of the crib.  He can't even walk yet!!  Running shoes on my feet all day long....

Gate was locked, but the cat door was left open.  He will find a way!

He can also use his upper body to pull himself out of the walker

"Yes, Mom, I was going to climb this"

I wasn't fast enough throwing in laundry before he was almost to the top of the basement stairs

I see bouldering in his future.  How do I baby proof this?!

too proud

At least he's resourceful

This is how he climbs our furniture

At least everything is padded here.  Has to climb to the highest part of the structure

July wrap-up...

Left over pictures from July...

Not thrilled about a visit to the dentist... but she did pretty well

Scarlet likes to decide what she wears in the morning and now she's picky about how she wears her hair.  She has decided now she likes to wear it down with a headband.  It's cute but she looks so much older!  I told her how big she looked and she sat grinning in the mirror for at least 3-5 minutes.  She loves looking like a big girl!

Sassy, beautiful girl

He has discovered the wonders and the lights that is the dryer

Having a bad hair day?

Addie can't escape this little climber

...up and over

The bruises on my arm are the result of a teething baby...

little aviator

This is how we roll in Target!

Joseph's very first time in a pool.  I think he likes it!

"Mom!  Check out my new overalls!"  He likes the buttons

silly girls

I don't think this turtle is big enough for everyone

Loves to be up high!

Evelyn just chillin' with the bears

My little Wookie

Scarlet got new slippers... won't take them off ever.  She even wants to sleep in them!

Joseph thinks Mommy is funny

Play time while big sisters have swim lessons

I guess we're going patriotic today.  Scarlet picked out her dress and headband and posed for a picture

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