Swim lessons come to an end

The girls finished swim lessons today. I am so proud of all their hard work and how much they learned. This was Ashley's first year and she was so excited. At first she was tense and couldn't relax the first day but soon got over that. I am very proud of how comfortable she became in the water. She would go to the bottom of the deep end and get rings with her instructor.
She jumped off the diving board with no problem. Amy her instructor had confidence in Ashley on her last day that she let her swim to the side of the pool by herself. I can't believe how much learned and how wonderful she did. She was also our little social butterfly. She would always go sit on the wall with her friends when she was done and Allison was in the pool.

Allison grew so much this year in her swimming abilities. Allison has always been nervous when it comes to water and has a hard time relaxing. This year they worked on helping her relax and breath so she can slow down and do the strokes properly.
She learned how to dive. Learned how to tread water. This was not her favorite thing to do and I had to explain to her why this is so important. She understood how one day it could save her life if she was ever in trouble but still didn't like it. She made such great strides that we are considering another session to cement what she has learned. It is nice to see her getting more comfortable.

Madison was a level 6 swimmer which means that she fine tune her strokes and learns a few life saving techniques. She wasn't sure she wanted to do swim lessons but when it was all over she told me that she had a great time and is glad that she did. She worked on her dives. By the end of the week they were just beautiful. She does a great breast stroke. Madison was in heaven when Christine told her she had the best breast stoke in the class. She also had to tread water but she got to hold a 10 pound brick while she was doing it. She had a great time and said she will let me know if she wants to retake it next summer as a refresher coarse. I am so proud of all the hard work that the girls put into to swim lessons. I am also so glad to get back into our routine. I am warn out from all the running around.

Summer time fun

The girls have been complaining that summer has been no fun. We have been consumed the last two weeks with swim lessons so haven't had much time to do much. The girls have been very helpful around the house this week so I thought it would be nice for them to have some fun. The girls invited the Moeller's over to run in the sprinklers with them. The water was freezing but that didn't stop them. They even got very inventive on how to fill a bucket up to fill the water gun. Ashley would hold a Frisbee over the sprinkler while Hailey would hold the bucket off to one side where they would let the Frisbee up to let water out. I thought that was pretty inventive of a 4 and 5 year old. Allison has never enjoyed water or cold so it doesn't surprise me that she is behind the gun to get everyone else wet. Madison wasn't into the sprinklers. The girls really did have a great time, even if sometimes they didn't look like it.

I finally did it

I love to take pictures and then do something with those pictures, like scrapbooking. Before Ashley was born I was pretty on top of things. I was a year behind in scrapbooking and feeling pretty good. Then I had Ashley. She required a lot of my time when she was a baby. I didn't worry that much about the scrapbooking but then as she got older I started to get back into it. I wish I could say that I have caught up but no I haven't. I am 4 years behind and it really makes me depressed to think about it. I know that one day I will be able to get things back in order but I have found a solution that helps until that time. This blog. I am able to capture all our memories and not lose anything. The next thing to do is get it in a hard copy. I have played around with several different blog book programs but decided on blurb. I have had my book already to print for a few months but just haven't ordered it. Last week I ran across a coupon code to where I could get my book for $39.99 off. I was so excited and jumped right on it. It came in the mail today and I am so happy. I don't feel frustrated about our family memories being lost. I spent this evening reading through and remembering things that would have been lost if I wasn't blogging. I am so happy to have this book.

4th of July

We had a great time for the 4th of July with our friends. The Ewings invited us over to their house with the Moellers and the Pickers. We had a wonderful dinner and then sat and visited and played games for the remainder of the evening until it was time for fireworks. With so many kids around the girls stayed mighty busy. Capri and Brittany put on a puppet show. The kids loved it. We had a theft. Your items are not safe when Dawn is around. She will put anything in her backpack.:)

The kids had a great time playing in the back yard. While the adults played some games or watched a movie. Allison and Alyssa had a performance for us. I think they are starting to make this a tradition.

It was fun watching everyone playing and having fun. The evening moved on and we were able to start fireworks. We started out with every one's favorite the sparklers. Ashley was all excited to do a sparkler by herself until Mr. Dave went to light it. She dropped it and Kevin had to hold if for her. Later on when sparklers were bought out again, Ashley decided she might try again. She patiently waited for Kevin to get it lit but you could see the concern in her face. I was quite impressed that she held it all by herself but then a squealing firework was set off and she jumped and was done. Kevin had to jump in and help. She is getting braver each year. I was glad that she just able to stay outside and not have her ears covered up. Fireworks is a healthy fear so I am not complaining. We really had a great time. I am so grateful to have such great friends that we can get together with and make such wonderful memories. Can't wait for the next 4th.

Unfortunatly before we left Madison was running around saying goodbye to everyone and didn't see a tree branch and ran right into it. Thankfully she is just scrapped up and there was not any big damage. She had her glasses on and I think that is what saved her eye. It was really close. When she went to bed we thought for sure, she was going to wake up all swollen and bruised but this is what it looked like. I went ahead and postponed her swim lessons for a week since her nose is so sore. She does a lot of under water swimming and there is no way that she would be able to wear goggles.

Allison and Ashley did start swim lessons today and I was a bit nervous for Ashley since this is her first year but she did great. Before she realized that she could touch in the pool she was a little nervous but soon warmed up and even made herself a friend. She is very ready to go back tomorrow. One of the last things that she asked before she went to sleep is if she will go to swim lessons tomorrow.

Visitors

Before Uncle Scott and his family headed home they came to Boise so Scott could take his dental boards. Carol came along with the kids so the girls could spend some more time with their cousins.
We had a fun day.

All the Scharnhorsts together

This last weekend we went to Kevin's parents house. It has been two years since we have seen his youngest brother and he was in town visiting from Ohio. All five of Kevin's siblings and their families were there. The house was full but we had a great time. Total there was 21 people in the house, 10 of them children with 8 of those 4 and under. It was crazy but fun. The girls really enjoyed spending time with their cousins. We went and played at Arctic Circle play land with them. Allison had fun looking after Alexia. Madison and Allison got to stay up late and play games with their Uncle Scott and Aunt Carol. They love being older then the others because they get privileges the others don't.
We spent hours in the back yard playing. We also got family pictures since we were all together. It was very interesting getting them. We might have to do some touch up to make the perfect picture. We did the best we could with all the little ones. We really had a great time with our family. I love it that we were all together. It was a very nice weekend. It is always hard to say goodbye and go home but we had to return back to normal life and get rested from all the fun that we had.

Last day of School and last day of Elementary School

Madison and Allison had their last day of school today. It is hard to believe that another year has come and gone. I think the hardest thing is thinking of Madison in Middle school.

We started the day out with the awards assembly. Both Madison and Allison were getting awards so Ashley and I arrived early but a little too early. I had the wrong time for the assembly so we were there and hour in half early. It was not fun but at least I got good pictures. Allison this year got faithful attendance. I think it should have been perfect attendance but oh well. She was happy with it. I thought it was great that Allison was up there with one of her best friends but I couldn't get Ashley to look for a picture too.
Allison also got and award for finishing 17 of her typing lessons in Computers. When Mrs. Jackson gave the incentive of a chocolate bar she was speaking Allison's language. She is a major chocolate fan.

Madison graduated from 5th grade. I think that it is great that they make such a big deal of this because it is a big deal. Madison has had a great year and a great teacher.
Madison has also had a great year because she has had some great friends in her class. She is so glad that our house didn't sell so she can go to school with Kortny and Mia. I am so grateful that Madison will leave elementary school with such fond memories. She has been blessed with the best teachers and the best school. I hope that Middle school is just as great for her.