The Cutest Tennis Player Ever!

Oh my goodness!  Abigail was so adorable at her very first tennis lesson.  We signed her up for some lessons this summer since she's old enough for the "tiny tots" class.  She looked (and was) so little on the court!  She was the only one and we were thrilled for her that her first lesson was one on one with a wonderful teacher.  Abigail didn't hesitate at all!  All morning long she kept telling me "mommy, I'm going to kick that ball so hard!"  "Abigail, that's soccer, you're going to play tennis today...." 

I dressed her in clothes that I had.  Imagine that this 4 year old was wearing a tennis skirt that I bought for Anna years ago size 12-18 mths?!  Tiny girl! 

Here she is right before her lesson...








Anna was so happy and excited for her little sister.




Tiny little girl on the court for the first time


A real first time hit! A bit blurry but I have to include a real hit!


Learning from her "coach"


She was beaming when she came off the court. "I loved tennis mommy! Thank you for taking me" (with all the enthusiasm she could have)


It was so hot that afternoon. Since tennis is at our pool I took her right in to cool off after. In the dressing room she couldn't stop thanking me for taking her. She loved the attention and doing something that her big sister does


Anna's turn. Even though she had lessons last summer she was hesitant to go on the court.




Her lesson was an hour. So while I took Abigail swimming (and watched her from the pool) Scott stood by the court.


Scott and I had so much fun watching our girls experience a sport that is so much a part of our lives.  Even though I could never learn Scott is a great player, and we both want the girls to love a lifelong sport.

New Favorite

A vacation photo.  (MUCH more to come!)  This is taken through the slats of a fence. Anna is going up in the roller coaster. (for like the third time!)

Friday Field Trip

We went on another Friday Field Trip!  Can you guess where we went? 





The New England Air Museum was cool (says Anna). Our Friday Field Trip starts at our awesome library. We pick up our passes for the day. (FREE field trips) And Anna picks out a ton of new books for her "summer stack". I've got to take a picture of that someday. She devours books. Yesterday she read 3 chapter books in one day! So our weekly library stops are necessary.

Here were are checking out the planes.









The girls got to go in a plane. It was funny. They know to look thrilled when the camera is pointed toward them, but I could tell that they were thinking, "okay, I'm done."





A fun place to visit. I'm already looking forward to next Friday. After counting up all of the places that we can go this summer (that are offered at our library) we might have to fit in more field trips in the fall. I wish school didn't start til October!

The Rose Garden

Each year I bring the girls to a beautiful rose garden near our house.  Rose weekend is perfect timing for a dressed up photo shoot since it's right between their two week apart birthdays. 

I loaded the car with their dresses, brush, shoes, and camera.  Picked Anna up at the bus stop and headed straight there.  Got the girls dressed in the car while Anna ate an after school snack, and started toward the garden.  Then I realized I didn't have the memory card in my camera.   So back home.

So we went back later that evening (which was better light anyway) for the shots.  This time I forgot Abigail's shoes.  I tried to convince Anna to take her shoes off as well but she would have no part in that. 

Here are some of my favorites of Anna's 8 year old pictures and Abigail's 4 year old pictures. I love that they were having so much fun together. These pictures are oh so silly.

I don't know what had them laughing so much! 

My favorite, I think

Abigail's Moving Up Day (part 2)

I adore this picture of Anna's intense love for her sister.  I was so happy that I pulled her out of school for this program.

Anna was so proud of her little sister.

Happy with her Daddy

Kisses for Mommy

What makes this preschool so very special are the teachers.  Two wonderful teachers.  Abigail loves them.

Anna's First Communion Video

Scott made this video for Anna to celebrate her life on her First Holy Communion.  I saw it just the evening before and it left me in tears.  It was a gift that I know she'll treasure forever.  Just click the link below and turn on your sound.  (but make sure to scroll down to the bottom of my blog and pause the regular blog music first)

http://youtu.be/b4PyhxYEH_g

Friday Field Trip

There is nothing like the summer!  I've always had the summer off (I was a teacher for 10 years before kids) so summer feels a bit sentimental to me.  I love having TIME for anything and everything and just plain old nothing!  Best of all I love my girls home with me all day, every day. 

This year I decided to take them on a 'Friday Field Trip' using the passes from our library.  Picking out books early on in the summer I noticed a sign listing all of the cool places I've yet to take them that I've always wanted to.  All I have to do is call to reserve a pass, pick it up that morning and return it later in the day.  I was so excited with all of the possibilities. 

So for our first Friday I picked a local place.  I've driven by the Noah Webster house thousands of times and have never visited it.  With Anna's recent interest in Laura Ingalls Wilder books I knew this would be perfect.

We had a wonderful guide who called me and the girls "dewdrops of sun".  He was so sweet and knew every detail in the small house.  He quickly learned their names and it was just us on the tour.  He spent two hours (which felt like only 10 minutes) with us.  He asked them questions, let the girls try things, and engaged them every minute.  The girls were on their best and amazing 'museum behavior'.  They impressed me with how respectful they were. 

After two hours and so much that we learned we headed home for a very late lunch.  (I had no idea we'd be there that long).  The pictures don't show how enthusiastic they really were.  It was just 3:30 and we hadn't had lunch.  But they never complained that day and were oh so interested and good.  I regret not getting a picture with our guide.  He is a real treasure to that museum. 





I can't wait until next Friday. I've already reserved a few ones that I think might be good ones to go on a day Scott has off.