Firsts

I hope you have been able to spend some memorable moments with your little ones this summer.  I have thoroughly enjoyed spending my summer vacation with my kiddies at home.  As you have seen, we swim quite often, play hard at the park, and enjoy a little library time each week.  I've enjoyed seeing lots of FIRSTS for my children this summer.  Elly started crawling...YES CRAWLING in June.  Immediately following, she began pulling herself up onto EVERYTHING!  Now, I am constantly on the go because she is getting into everything she can get her hands on!  Lily can climb up the pool slide all by herself now!  She's gotten quite good at "swimming" in what we call the big pool.  I say "swimming" because of course she wears a life jacket.  For the first time she has been using kick boards and goggles!!! Lily has also gotten quite good at riding her "bikes" all by herself.  She is learning how to appropriately turn the handles to steer her bikes.  I'm such a proud mommy of BOTH of my children. My girls will also experience another first together.  In a short while my family is going to be vacationing in Florida.  It will be the first time my husband and children go to Florida.  It will also be my children's first visit to the beach.  I've been searching Pinterest for tips on packing and vacationing in general.  I found a great pin on packing and I plan to use this strategy.  I'll let you know how it goes.
All Things Simple

This packing tip comes from Kim McCrary over at All Things Simple.  She puts her kids' outfits for the day (including accessories) in a Ziplock baggie.  Then, her kids can pick out the outfits they want to wear for the day once on vacation and everything is inside the baggie.  I think this is a great idea and am willing to give it a try!

And now for some pics of my summer fun...

Lily with her new goggles!

Lily's art project from story time at the library.

Elly was entered into the baby contest at the Prairie Home Fair.  

She took 2nd place!!

Elly pulling up for the first time!