Katelyn and I were doing a project at the kitchen table. I left the room for a minute and came back to her bright blue eyes giving me a big smile. I gave her a smile back and then started laughing, laughing so hard that I had to turn my back so not to be rude to her.
Notice anything?
Yep, those are her SUPER short bangs, which she cut ALL BY HERSELF! She said her bangs were in her eyes so she cut them so they would not bother her anymore. But wait! She had a PROFESSIONAL hair cut LAST WEEK! Who needs to spend $20 on a child’s haircut anymore, just give the scissors to your three year old and they’ll get the job done, for free. And the best part…she did it over the trash can so not to make a mess and have me upset with her, as if cutting your bangs SUPER short isn’t going to make your mom angry or anything.
Katelyn took swimming lessons for several weeks and it was amazing to watch her ability and comfort in the pool grow weekly. She had a wonderful teacher who was very patient; especially considering Katelyn was the youngest in the class by a few years.
Fourth of July was a well-needed family break in Tahoe. We spent time at the lake, playing in the yard and taking walks. The girls had their first rafting experience down the Truckee River. Both did extremely well and it will only be better next time. Bill and Katelyn were treated to a very special fireworks display – seeing them up-close from the water’s side! Vanessa had dislocated her elbow, so I had to say home with her, but didn’t mind too much because it was wonderful to hear the night’s activities recapped through the eyes of Katelyn.
We spent a weekend camping with some good friends. It’s a lot of work setting up camp, but the fun times had by all were well worth it. The girls made their first smores and got every inch of their bodies filthy each day, proving to me just how much fun they had that day. Katelyn had her first tubing experience – and loved every minute of it!
Vanessa kept busy with gymnastic class and therapy. She still loves the balance beam, the free-play ball time and, of course, bubbles. She is always so happy to be there and her endurance for the class is lengthening.
She loves the water as much as Katelyn, in fact has no fear or reservations about it. She will jump from the side of the pool into your waiting arms a dozen times, each time with a huge grin and an immediate “more” (in sign language).
In the beginning of August, Bill and I took a very-overdue weekend away. We have not been away from both girls since before Vanessa was born. Everyone survived - including the grandparents!
And now, here it is…September. School begins for Katelyn next week. The girls’ extra-curricular classes are starting back up. “Routine” and “schedule” are now regular words in our vocabulary again. I love this time of year because it brings so much structure to our lives…I know what’s going on every day and it just feeds my Type-A personality. I am longing to see Katelyn thrive in school and grow in her confidence through her classes. I am anxious to see Vanessa develop into the adorable toddler she is becoming and surprise me more and more with each passing day.