Summer activities

Summer is in full swing here and I think you girls are really enjoying it! We have been really busy with activities and it's so exciting to watch you both! Keely had vacation bible school at our church for a whole week. Every morning from 9-12 she would be at church learning new and cool things. She was very excited but came home with a new worry everyday. Oh how I wish she were not like me in that way. She gets so nervous and anxious about new things, but she is trying really hard to be brave. Keely also started t-ball this week. It's fun to see her learn to throw better and even catch the ball in her glove!! She doesn't like to drop it and gets grumpy when she doesn't do it perfect! (a little bit of her perfectionist father I think!! gotta love them!) Mali has started soccer and t-ball. They have a sampler class that she really likes so far. She got to pick out her favorite color t-shirt to wear for her jersey. (blue of course!) She loves to "trap" the ball and do a "sweep" kick and "pencil" kick. She really is very good and so independent compared to the other 3 and 4 year olds on her team.

This summer is just full of steps that are making the girls more independant from mom. We are both going to have quite and adjustment! Mali had her 3 year check up at the Dr this month. She did so great and Jeff and I were so proud of her! When I was talking to the girls about Mali going to the doctor, Keely asked, "Mom, is Mali going to get a booster?" I asked her what a booster was and she said, "you know, a SHOT" Only she whispered it to me so Mali wouldn't hear. So funny! Mali did end up getting a shot, but not one tear fell from her eye. She wanted to and was trying to be so brave. What a trooper! She passed the hearing and vision test with flying colors and the doctor was really impressed that she could write, not only her name, but mom, dad and Keely's as well.

We are battling with sibling rivalry right now. If I praise one girl, the other is jealous that I'm not praising her as well. It's going to be hard growing up! I can only pray that God gives me the patience and guidance to help them be self confidant, but not boastful. Respectful also, but not a push over! It's so hard! Keely has a little friend that is going to all the summer activities with her. It's great for her to have a friend and someone she is comfortable with, but she is too comfortable with him and forgets what the task is and tends to misbehave. This is hard too...explaining to a 4 year old why some kids get to act out while she has to behave. How do you say, "well, honey, they just have different rules at their house!" Yet another thing to pray for guidance about.

We got to get away to the cottage for a couple days in June. It was fun for the girls to be there, but the bug situation was not good. Keely and Mali are both afraid of bugs and don't want to be anywhere that bugs are. So, it's hard to be at the cottage! Hopefully this will pass also.

My mom and dad went to South Dakota to visit family and friends for a week this month. My brother just moved there and Mali doesn't quite understand the meaning of "move" She is still waiting for him to come home!! When I told her that grandma and grandpa were going to SD on vacation, she got a very worried look on her face and aske me, "Are they coming back?" Boy do you girls love your grandparents!

I love you girls so so so much. You give me the greatest life ever!
Love, Mom