12 Years Old

I can't believe you're 12 years old now. Feel free to stop growing now. We have been homeschooling now for 6 months and you seem to have settled in. I overheard you telling a girl at the pool, that it isn't as bad as you think. I smiled inside. Your Dad is a little worried when I tell him all that we do. But I'm not. I'm proud of you and all that you accomplish. They said that if you leave your child alone and provide an educational environment, that they will learn. Even I was a non-believer. I guess you proved us wrong. You order books from the library. You have mastered using the intralibrary system to have books shipped to the library nearest us. You are a voracious reader. It started with anime cartoons, now you draw anime characters. You are a really good artist. You are currently teaching yourself Japanese. You have a notebook full of words and characters. You walk around all day long singing the Japanese alphabet and nursery rhythms. You have a Japanese pop video saved on your cell phone that you play. Your best friend is Alicia and I like that you talk alot even though she just recently moved. Your are extremely athletic. You run track right now and recently came in first place in the 200m. You traded in the oboe and just started playing the cello. You say, that when you grow up, you will be a graphic designer and work for Google. I can totally see that! Although, you say that at 16 you will work for Coldstone Creamery. You are shy opinionated and stubborn and sweet thoughtful and conscientitious, we love you, sweet Ariel.

Pool Tricks

"Wait a minute, Momma."

"Get a picture of me doing this."

"Ok, Ariel. What was that?"

And Ariel, what is this?

These are all her pool shananigans.

Freda happily came along with us to the pool, but we couldn't talk her out of this spot in the pool.

She was determined not to fall or get her hair wet.

With Rylie's float in hand, we did manage to get her up from the steps and she very briefly walked around the pool.

Cailin and the Swimmies

She LOVES the pool and the beach. She is a little dare devil in the water. She has not had any swim lessons so far, but that doesn't stop her from trying. I put the swimmies on her arms and she was off.

I had to tell her a million times; don't breathe when your mouth or nose goes under water.

But you know what? She got it and by this time she was closing her mouth and/or spitting the water back out, instead of getting all choked up.

She was even kicking her feet.

And trying to get to where the water was 9 feet. I told you- dare devil!

Grumpy Face

"You see my grumpy face, Momma?" That's what Cailin always asks me. She either gives this face or her over-the-top smile. It's histerical!

Baby Overboard

This was Rylie first time in a swimming pool and she didn't fuss one bit. I thought she would cry about the water being cold.

Instead she played and splashed around.

I love this look she is giving Cailin. She loves her big sister.

I kept having to check on her though. She swallowed a bucket of water this day.

After about an hour, I got her out and let her sit with her Mumsil.

Happy 12th Birthday Ariel

We're singing Happy Birthday to Ariel while Jerry is hiccupping and Rylie is crying.

Rylie and the Strange Noise

Rylie makes strange noises all the time. I was lucky enough to catch a short video. She cracks us up all the time!

Altamonte Striders Invitational

This was her second meet. It was in Orlando at a pretty impressive high school. The school grounds looked like a mini-university. She is a highly competitive girl. She always likes to win. I suppose that is what makes you good at sports. She was 2nd place overall in the 200m and 4th in the 100m. Go Ariel!

Rylie with Daddy

She stares so intently at you, particularly at your mouth when you are speaking. She has a look that says, what are you saying to me.