The 7th Birthday

 Chloe and Jasmine turned SEVEN! It's hard to believe how big they are getting.

They have a love for horses. Jasmine took lessons this past summer and Chloe's on her way to take some this fall. So, for the first time, we have a birthday party away from our house. We have been taking lessons at Natural Valley Ranch in Brownsburg and had the party there. We got to have a shetland pony to pet named Little Caesar. There was also a chicken, but I don't think there was much petting going on.



 Everyone got to color their own hankercheif while they waited to ride the horses.

 There was cake indoors because it had started to rain. Everyone got to ride the horses two or three times. The girls had the best time getting to share their love for horses with their family and friends.

 Here's Chloe on the Joker. This is her very first ride ever. She did great and even trotted a bit by the end of the day.

And even Reece really enjoyed riding Rocky. Somehow I missed getting Jasmine's picture. But just know she was in "horse heaven."

What we've been up to

Summer has been flying by! School starts in just two days. We have a had a great summer with lots of adventures. Here are a few pics to catch us up.
The girls had their recital and were in two dances this year. They did great. I am so proud of them.

We played chalk, road bikes, and made cookies.

Jasmine took horse riding lessons. She would like to go to the barn everyday to be around the horses. She was very confident from the first lesson to the last. She even got to trot on her last lesson.

I love the fierce face she has here.

She smiled most of the time.

There is so much more to post another time. We have had great summer!

One of these girls is not like the other

Anymore...

For the first time in almost 7 years, my girls decided to get different haircuts.




The before...


































And after...

 One decided to let her hair grow long and the other was ready for a summer cut. Both were happy with their cuts. I think they look adorable, but I am the momma.

 And this one lost her tooth...finally. That thing has been loose for weeks. And yes, that's little bro in the background sneaking a popsicle.

The closet is done!

  

For months I have had a paint swatch hanging up in the entry off from the garage. Offically, it was called the color was called "Peat Moss". But to me it was the perfect shade of dark chocolate. Ever since I saw this on Pinterest, I couldn't wait to take down those doors. So finally, this past week the entry was finally transformed. This is the entry from our garage before. I couldn't believe all the stuff we found in there! Everything from lightbulbs to a soft sided cooler to a CD rack. We moved all the heavy winter coats and Chris's shoes to another closet opposite of this big slider door.

 And then AFTER, minus the paint cans. Yeah! No more doors and cramped quarters! We took down the doors and track. We put all the stuff that had accumulated back in its proper place or threw it out. If it's chocolate color, then I painted it. If it's white, then Chris did. He was able to paint the garage door also. On the shelf I put extra blankets from the family room and am going to get a basket for beach towels. I may even hang some of the kid's artwork up.

We really like it. It is so nice to come in without being so cramped and cluttered. The kids and I can put our shoes and bags right where they need to go withour falling on each other. Not quite the same as my inspiration picture, but it works for us!

A camping we will go...

We got to spend Memorial Day weekend this year at McCormmick's Creek State Park.

We played in the creek. Do your kids pose for EVERY picture when they know your taking it. Even my little guy thought his hand should be on his hip!

And for the horse-loving girls, we visited the saddle barn. And lucky us the horses were friendly and came right over for some petting. This thrilled the girls! Riding lessons start this week for Jas. She is beyond excited!

This trip everyone was able to ride their bikes. My little guy decides to wear his Spidey bucket for a helmet.

We also went swimming at the pool there on the very HOT Saturday! No pics, sorry.

No camping trip is complete without some yummy s'mores. My little guy shows how to properly down one! Love that boy!  

Camp Mommawatchi

I'm so excited to officially announce the launch of our new company, Camp Mommawatchi! In 2007, my friend Amy and I started doing camps at home with our kids. It has become a fun tradition our children look forward to every summer. We wanted to be able to share with other moms this neat way to build lasting memories with their little ones. We got to work and wrote two of our camps into booklets.
Visit our website at http://campmommawatchi.com/ to purchase a camp. Please "like" us on facebook!

My, how they've grown! Top picture is from 2008 and the bottom is 2011. I love these kiddos! What fun we've had over the years.

Reece turns 3!!

The Twins Turned Six!

What a fun, hot day!
Trying out the new trampoline.

The "special" Chinese Birthday candles. Notice how far Jasmine stands back.

Chloe's flame wasn't quite as high, but she still takes caution.

A very good day!