I decided long to be very thoughtful when choosing my battles with Aiana. Matching clothes and perfect hair was a battle I decided not to have (even though it was a little battle within to release the control). I valued her creativity and self expression more than the looks and judgement of others (which is really the only negative thing about it if our insides are happy). Besides, I knew that the day would come all too quickly when things would turn around. The time has now come with Aiana and yet just beginning on the other end with Caylin.

Raised to new life

Aiana and I have talked about baptism before, years ago, and told her that when she was ready to be baptized she would know. Our church holds beach baptisms twice a year and every time I'd imagine how cool it would be to witness my own kids being baptized, yet I never said anything to Aiana because I wanted her choice to be between she and God.

So about a week ago, she told me that she had signed up to be baptized. I was very excited, yet, didn't want to show too much excitement. :) We worked through a little booklet together and talked about the meaning of baptism. She is a teen, and did seem a little more excited about sharing this experience with her good friend. She and her friend were baptized by there middle school pastor. When I watched Aiana come up out of the water, my heart smiled when I saw the joy on her face. It was a kind of joy I had never seen before. So cool!

Colossians 2:12

12 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

Day of firsts part 2

Today was Caylin's 1st day of preschool. She has been watching Aiana get ready for school everyday this week and has anxiously been awaiting her first day! What a wonderful difference from last year (when Caylin ran out of the room screaming and jumped onto the chain link fence). This year she walked right into her class and made herself at home (followed by her little shadow).

While she was at school, Anika and I got to spend the morning together with a friend of ours. It was so nice to have one on one time with Anika, and for Anika to have one on one time with her buddy. She as at such a fun (yet painful) age. She's talking clearer and loves to explore.

When we got to Caylin's school to pick her up, it was hot and I could tell she was pooped. She confidently ran up to us for a hug, then quickly grabbed her backpack and went outside to sit on the bench and put on lip gloss. She said she had a great day and that her teachers are nice.

Today was also the first day of soccer practice. Caylin has grown up watching Aiana play soccer and has also anxiously been awaiting her turn to play. Although she was so tired, she was excited to get her soccer gear on and head to the field. Anika wanted to do everything sister was doing. She was a little shy when the first drill began, but her confidence slowly perked up. When the hour was up, Caylin looked bummed and I thought maybe she wasn't going to want to do this anymore, but, really she was upset because practice was over. She wasn't ready to leave.

New school year begins

Today was Aiana's first day of school. She is the big kid at school this year, her last year of middle school!

We let Aiana decide this year wether or not she wants to do soccer and she felt very strong about focusing more on theater, dance, and singing!

Also, we decided to find a new dance studio for Caylin and today was her first day in her new class. She loved it! This studio is all about being creative and using imagination. Letting the children explore their unique talents. It seems to be more of a music and movement class, which is kind of a nice break from just learning a few specific dances for shows.

It has been a wonderful summer, but I'm looking forward to getting back in to a routine. This morning the girls were up early and all sitting down eating breakfast together...happily!

Here's to a successful school year!

As the summer comes to an end

If been so busy getting ready for the school year to start that I've neglected our blog, so here is a catch up post:

We attended Will's company picnic. It was so cute to watch Will and Aiana do the Father/daughter race. The last time I watched them do this was about 7 years ago!

Caylin was proud of her flower that she brought home from preschool in June, it finally bloomed! (Note the "baby" water balloons she was carrying in her "sling".

Anika's fat lip

Caylin had her final dance recital, she seemed very comfortable performing on stage :)

More concerts in the park

We had a fun day at the Children's Museum with big sis. Thank goodness she was with us, I couldn't go by myself with the little ones because all Anika wants to do there is R U N!

We made it through our whopping 2 week heat wave by many "poolside" dinners. No one wanted really wanted to eat anything other than smoothies. Our house made it up to 94 degrees this year!

Gotta love spaghetti for dinner...