Big girl bed!

It has been a big week for Aubrey. She has used the potty, tried underpants, started ballet, and returned to swim lessons. That's quite a bit for her, let alone our entire routine-centric family! She has been thrilled though, to try out life as a "big girl." Tonight she lay her head down for the first time in her new big girl bed. She showed no hesitancy, and crashed right out. What a truly big girl!

Swim lessons 2010

Tonight we began summer swim lessons with the girls. I'm already pretty sure Camryn is part fish, and after just 40 minutes in the water, Aubrey started to grow gills too. It should be a fun summer!

Tiniest dancer

After watching Camryn dance for the past year, at last Aubrey is old enough to enroll in a dance class of her own. She started this week, and though she spent most of the first class just watching the teachers and other kids, she demonstrated her knowledge for us later in the day, which at least tells me she was learning from all that watching! And should you ask her about her "dance class," she will be quick to specify that "It's my ballet class. Just like Sissa!"

PINK!

When we were in the process of moving earlier this year, I made a promise to Camryn that her room would be the first in the house to be painted something other than "boring beige" (her words, not mine.) Her immediate request was pink, and she hasn't wavered since.

Soooo...since I am a mommy of my word, here it is...the PINKEST room in town. It is the kind of pink that literally radiates color into the hallway (you can see it as you round the corner upstairs), and smacks you in the face when you enter the room. Martha Stewart calls it "Hollyhock," but I prefer "Watermelon Bubble Gum." Either way, it makes Brian cringe and Camryn smile. Which is what that promise was about in the first place, right?

I hope you love it, my Pinkalicious girl!

Semke Reunion 2010

Zoee + Camryn = TROUBLE!

Lick!

My, what a big dog you have!

The chicken whisperer

"Walkie talkers"

Before doggie...

...and after!

Holy bubbles!

Feeding chickens

This could be a postcard...!

Daddy laughing...

Meeting Baby Sophia

Girl talk

Hangin' with Hanna

Amelia and her Papa

Grandma will always save me from the doggies!

Play group: Summer #5!

Today was the beginning of our play group's fifth summer together! A few teacher friends and I founded the group the summer that Camryn was 1 1/2. She is now 5 1/2, and our friendships are going strong. It's been a blast, and we are looking forward to another summer full of fun.

We hosted this summer's first get together at our house, and (I think) the kids had a great time! There is nothing like a summer morning with friends, toys, yummy snacks, and a little sun thrown in! Thanks, playgroup friends, for coming over today!

"Golf"

With the help of some neighbor friends, the girls have managed to re-create the game of "golf" in our own front yard! They do have some play golf clubs, and light weight plastic balls, and they use the strip of grass between our sidewalk and street as a "putting green." The oval bark dusted area around the tree is the "hole."

Their swings are pretty inventive, and there have been a few near misses with each other's heads, but over all, they've had a great time figuring it all out. The funniest part is that Aubrey has improvised by using a bouncy basketball instead of golf ball, and when Camryn makes it into the "hole," instead of giving a fist pump, she screams, "GOAL!" Looks like Coach Dad still has a little work to do...

"Goal!!!!!!!!"

Happiness equation

Sun + Jumping fountains + Sand + ice cream + Grandma = OH HAPPY DAY!

A big day for Aubs

Mark your calendar, for today shall henceforce be known as the very first day Aubrey ever experienced successful use of the potty. Celebrate as you will. That is all.

Recital 2010

The one major bummer of our trip to Denver this past weekend was the fact that Camryn's first real dance recital was being held back at home. Obviously, we couldn't be in two places at once, and had to make the tough choice to miss this milestone. Luckily, she's got two fabulous sets of grandparents, as well as aunts and uncles, who were available to support her and watch her performance debut!

Since the dance academy kindly insists on no flash photography during the recital (for good reason), the photos of her performance are limited, but thanks to my dad and a family friend, we were able to get a few of Camryn on her big day.

Perfect form? I'm not sure...

I wonder if she was talking during her solo? It wouldn't surprise me! :)

So proud of her accomplishment!

Lots of flowers for the little ballerina

Reading a card from Mommy and Daddy. We were so proud of her!

Little sister was proud too! When Camryn's group came on stage, Aubrey shouted loud enough for the whole audience to hear, "Dat's my Sissa!"

Are we done yet??

Spring dance photos

As a part of their spring dance recital, Camryn's dance studio brings in a professional to photograph the girls in their costumes. Camryn was so excited! We did her hair, added a touch of lip gloss, and of course the tutu! By then, she didn't just feel pretty, she knew she looked GOOD! She pranced around and posed like a little princess, making everyone around her chuckle. She got in front of that camera, and she worked it like a pro. It was hilarious to watch, and so sweet too. Turns out that a little lip gloss and tulle can do wonders, as evidenced by the photos below. :)