Where has summer gone??

It is hard to believe it is the middle of August already. I just cannot believe that we are heading back to school next week! Where does time go? It seems like we just got out of school.
Funny though, I think we are all ready. Ready to get back on a routine. Ready to get back to what is predictable and familiar. The girls miss their friends and I miss my students.

These last few weeks have been busy. I was at Wyldlife camp for five days, so Brent did the single parent thing for a while. Since I have been back, I have been working on my classroom and running around getting the the girls their needed supplies for school. You forget the expense, until you are doing it. I have tried to spread it out, doing some shopping in July. However, this year the girls are required to wear uniforms, so that is a whole new set of clothes itself. They are very excited about uniforms, which is GOOD! No more morning battles about what they DO NOT want to wear.

Madelyne had her first orthodontist visit this last week. We had noticed how her front teeth were protruding out quite a bit and she has a lisp. She is not a thumb sucker, so this was concerning. Our dentist referred us and we were hoping for some answers. We soon found out, Madi will not have to get braces (at least not yet). Instead she is getting an appliance put in the top of her mouth to stop her tongue from thrusting forward. Apparently she thrusts her tongue when she swallows, causing her to push on her teeth, top and bottom. Little did I know her bottom teeth are too far forward as well. This appliance will be cemented in for 6 months and will retrain her tongue to work correctly. This will amazingly allow her teeth to shift back into a normal position. She will then wear a retainer for some time to keep the teeth in place. WOW!

Our little ball of fur has turned into a little terror! He must be going through the equivalent of the "terrible twos" right now, because HOLY COW, he is one rotten little stinker! He uses all of us as his personal teething tool. He is being playful, but ouch!!!! He got me on the nose the other day and actually broke the skin, it is pretty nasty. We have tried EVERYTHING, now we simply have to put him in a "Time Out" in the basement. I know, sounds kind of funny to put your 14 week old kitten in time-out. But, we have to do it....those teeth are sharp!!! We know he is not being mean, just a natural instinct to play. But that is hard to explain to the kids. Our last cats played together, bit each other, this little guy has no-one- so it is different. WE are his target! LOL
The girls are growing up. I have seen Madi mature a lot this summer. It is hard to believe I am a mother of a third grader. No...I am not that old. I see such a bond between these two. They play very well together. Some days, they are at each other's throats....so normal. But other times, it swells my heart to see Madi go into Anna's room right before bed, and give her the sweetest hug and kiss goodnight. Some days the two of them will play ever so quietly for HOURS and other times, they can't get along for five minutes. SISTERS!
My favorite days are the non-stop giggle days, when they make each other laugh from the belly. It is silly, goofy, non-sense laughter, the kind that makes you want to say "Girls be quiet!", but something inside you is laughing right along with them.
I cannot wait to see how they develop and grow- WHO they become. They are alike, yet SO very different. Madelyne is so independent and strong willed. She loves to read and is artsy. Madelyne loves sports and will try almost anything! She is a free-spirit.
Anna is shy at first until she gets to know you, and yes she is a stubborn red-head! Anna is very sensitive- she gets her feelings hurt easily, however, she can be quick to speak and not think first. Anna is not into sports, she is self-proclaimed to "LOVE TO EAT"! (That we have to help her with sometimes.) Anna has a heart of gold, she will love on you if you need it and do anything for you- she is self-less.

Needless to say my girls are so very different, but alike in many ways. How could you not love them? Gee, can you tell I am going to miss being home with them all the time? That is the only part I miss about going back to work, the time I get to spend with my girls. But, we have Friday night movie night, which is AWESOME! We make popcorn and camp out on the floor. The kids & I just LOVE it!!!!
I imagine my next update will be when the girls start school, all decked out in uniforms, new shoes & backpacks! Until then....