Off she goes... our big first grader! With supplies and lunch in her Barbie backpack... she raced off to stand in line with a friend. While us parents just stood for a moment... wondering if we should follow in too or just head home. We opted to head home, she was fine, had all her things and was happy.

It's one of those bittersweet moments... a heavy heart since she's growing up so fast and away at school all day... but am so excited to see what she discovers and how she grows this year. Will be watching the clock intently today... anxious to hear how her first day went.

Hard to believe that two years ago this little Bug would run into Ainsley's 4 year old preschool class and say,"Miss Cindi... it's really windy out today!" It became an everyday occurrance to give Miss Cindi the weather report outside.

And now it's his turn to attend Miss Cindi's 4 year old Preschool! Last night he got to find his name on the wall... and take in his supplies for the year. Hard to believe!

Just one of those pictures that makes me laugh... Walker sitting at the table in his jammies... working on a "special machine" project... while wearing his new swimming goggles.

And later dressed for the day... still in the goggles... but Spiderman posed!

Ahh... the life of a 4 year old!

We meet up with the Trogdens this weekend for dinner, a trip to the Zoo... and all you can eat ice cream! Before we arrived the kids were talking about how much ice cream they'd eat. Ainsley said she'd eat a hundred cones... Walker had bigger hopes, he said he'd be able to eat a million cones! They each made it to number 3... with bubble gum being the favorite flavor.

Walker's other favorite event... seeing the local firefighters and firetruck! He had huge smiles when they got to go inside the firetruck.

Last night we got pizza and let the kiddos stay up a wee past bedtime to watch some of the Olympic Opening Ceremonies. Walker wasn't that interested and happily played legos close by making all kinds of machines and airplanes. Ainsley, Stewart and I oohed and aahed at the events and when the athletes entered the stadium we grabbed the globe and located each country on it... fun times!

Swimming lessons ended with a "Pirate Day" The kids had to "walk the plank" and jump in the pool. Then it was off to find the hidden treasure which ended up being lollipops and stickers, such a fun way to end the session.

We are also knee deep in... apricots!

It's our first year of getting them... so we've been really excited to eat them... freeze them and come up with some recipes... we made some fruit leather the other day which was fun to do. There is a yucky side though... picking up all the rotten ones on the ground!

That pretty much sums up the weekend up till now. Nothing better than having your child throw up in Lowes... getting right into my purse... cellphone... with nothing but a kleenex to help! Oh and then again in his car seat and having to ride in it home. Yes the joys! Little bug got the throw ups and I got the sinus/sorethroat stuff. Luckily Ainsley and Stewart have held out.

Swimming lessons still consume our days... kids are getting so much more comfortable in the water! I'm so glad this has been a better experience for Ainsley. Will definitely sign them up at ISU next year.

Every day after Stewart's off work we all head out to the garden to check the progress...

Here are a few pictures of some of our "prized crops"...

Orange Peppers... that hopefully will turn orange.

Jalapenos... looking forward to making some salsa!

Ainsley's cantaloupe... she has 2 growing!

And the yummy cherry tomatoes that are just starting to turn red...

We've got quite the number of zucchini growing as well... it's always a challenge to find a new way of using it before you get sick of eating it!

The hardest part is waiting to get enough of something to eat it... it's always a couple of cherry tomatoes, a handful of beans etc.

Ainsley's new thing... Hannah Montana. She was ultra excited when we spotted the 3D glasses at Walmart... and even more excited to wake up and find that Mommy had recorded the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus 3D Concert event.

Little Bug thought it was "cool" of course and the two of them rocked out on the couch... no fighting... no yelling... just hanging out.

Today's swimming lessons went a bit smoother... Ainsley dunked her head under water... a huge step for her!

Afterward we hurried home changed clothes and headed over to the library where they had a carnival for all the kids who participated in the Summer Reading Program. The kids had snow cones, popcorn, games, a craft, and a clown magician!

There was still time left in the day to head to the park for lunch... they have a summer lunch program put on by the school district at a variety of parks around town... and it's free for kids! Plus they get to play at the park... always high on their priority list!

Little Bug was a tired boy and curled up with Daddy after work...

Walker woke up this morning yelling, "Today is a special day!" Today was the start of swimming lessons.

Ainsley had a rough go at first...

They divided the kids into two groups... Ainsley went with one and Walker the other. Ainsley's group turned out to be more advanced than she... they had them bob their heads in water (she swallowed water) and after that they brought them over to the edge where they gave them a shove towards the wall, most kids doggie paddled to the edge... she sank like a rock. They put her back into Walker's group and she ended the lesson with smiles...

Walker has that "no fear" factor so I knew he'd be fine... he loved the time in the pool... was excited to be all pruney... was worried that his tattoo would come off and can't wait to go back tomorrow.

He too ended up smiling...

Later today I surprised the kids with a little treasure hunt... they had to get the treasures out of a block of ice though with a variety of "tools" (toothbrush, turkey baster, warm water and shovels) to help. It was a good lesson in teamwork and patience. It was so fun to watch their excitement as a little more of the ice block melted.

Ainsley loved the money that melted out and Walker's favorites were the lizards.

Lastly it was summer time movie Monday and this week was Horton hears a Who... such a cute little show and for those of who were worried about the no popcorn last week... we had popcorn with butter this week!