Rylie- 5 1/2 months

It's really funny, that Rylie will be talking and screeching and the minute I pull out the camera she gets quiet.

Rylie's Laughter

Ariel is 12

We celebrated Ariel's birthday over my Mom's house. We went swimming and then we barbecued. I've been on a health kick lately, so I made black bean burgers, corn-on-the-cob, and baked potatoes on the grill.

Birthday presents were Cherice and Justin Bieber CD's.

And a CD player for her room.

This was the first year that she didn't have a "birthday cake", but not the first chocolate cake. This was overwhelmingly chocolate. Chocolate cake, with fudge icing. I had a teeny tiny piece.

She had sparkler candles, but they didn't exactly sparkle.

She was in heaven cutting this cake. This kid LOVES chocolate.

I was surprised because she cut herself a normal slice of cake. Happy Birthday Ariel.

Look at little Rylie! I have to sit her back on an angle because if you just place her on the couch leaning back, then she will lean forward and try to sit up. She can't quite sit up yet, so she leans forward and falls over.

Everyone was tired from being at the pool. Except for Cailin, she was using Daddy as a play gym.

Baby, Baby, Baby........

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!